Built in 1894 and substantially rebuilt in 1926 for lumberman John Henry Kirby, the Tudor Revival mansion was the most substantial surviving home from Houston’s once-grand South End. It later housed the local Red Cross and private offices, earning one of Preservation Houston’s first Good Brick Awards for its restoration and reuse. Demolition of the building began in 2026 without a city permit, which the city issued later that day. This timeline and FAQ trace our efforts to preserve the mansion, document it and salvage architectural features, and explain what we’re doing to prevent another loss like it.