Earlier today, we introduced the first category in this year’s Swamplot Awards for Houston Real Estate, celebrating best and most this city has to offer. And now nominations are open in a second category: Best Teardown.
Sure, teardowns are raw, physical acts, but emotional, historical, cultural, artistic, literary, sonic, and ecological aspects are often hard at work too. What property would you honor as Houston’s Best Teardown — and why?
If you’re like most people and have a little trouble remembering buildings once they’re gone, feel free to scroll through Swamplot’s archive of demolition stories to refresh your memory. Then add your thoughtful and well-argued nominations for this coveted award to the comments section below — or send them in a private message to Swamplot HQ. If you’d like a more complete description of the nominating process, see these instructions.
Nominations for both award categories announced today will remain open until midnight this Sunday. Can you knock a few out now?
Best teardown of 2010 has to be Jerry J. Moore’s house at 306 E. Friar Tuck Ln. Who knew French Chateaux would go out of style? (Do you hear that Tuscany?) By the way, is it down yet?
Can I nominate National Flame and Forge?
The resulting three square blocks of dirt in the un-Historic northwest corner of the Heights might give developers fleeing the requirements of the new historic protection ordinance something to do.
i’m with the french chateaux also, that thing was too good for houston to start with.
clear winner: French Chateaux
The Moores Chateau on Friar Tuck. Granted, I think two Staubs came down in River Oaks this year, but they did not have 27-car garages. :)
For 2011: The Sheraton.
The most curious demolition was the “old” Savoy which apparently had asbestos that had not been removed. Just hauled off with the debris I suppose. Except for what got scattered by the wind so to speak.
Its a Tie for me:
Fashion Square? I think that was the name of it. Former site of Eatzi’s and Cafe Annie with its tiny parking spots that caused all the door dings on my vehicles!
ohh and the mini astrodome transmission shop.
The domed church thing, I would have loved to turn that into studio space..All that wood would have made for awesome sound..
French Chataeu on E. Friar Tuck for sure.
Compass Bank, Post Oak, affectionately know by the folks who shopped the area at night as the, “____ASS BANK”
What about the Jackson Hill town homes off of Washington? I guess technically they’re not being torn down as much as disassembled, but either way, these eyesores served as a tangible reminder of the burst housing bubble.
The pig stand! Although the old name would have suited the current clientele just fine.
I am shocked that there have been no nominations for Wilshire Village. It was an enduring mystery for so many years, filled with twists and turns and strange creatures inhabiting the crumbling ruins. Then HEB pulled off a PR coup by having a VOTE on style (get a clue, Wal-Mart!) and soon all the grumblers will be able to buy their free-range flounder there.
I challenge anyone to nominate a better, more Houstonful tale than this.
late to this thread, I just want to say:
Best for helping Houston become the homogenized Nowhere it so wants to be: The Extreme Makeover – Home Edition: “From Shack to Ridiculous.”
Second on the extreme home makeover house.