Now pending: the sale of the First Church of Christ the Scientist at 1720 Main St., north of Jefferson St. The 1961 structure, designed by Texas architect Milton Foy Martin, was listed for $2.25 million; the listing caught the attention of the Houston chapter of the American Institute of Architects, who had hoped to buy the building and move into it.
The organization made an offer, and even got Mayor Annise Parker to write a letter to the Church’s congregation in early December — Parker’s letter asked the Church to consider selling the building to AIA for the sake of historical preservation, citing fears that “any other purchaser would tear the building down.”
AIA was apparently outbid, however, by a cash buyer asking for no due diligence period. The sale is currently listed as pending on HAR. More detailed photos of the inside and out below, including that golden spire and turquoise tile:
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AIA’s documentation of the church classifies it as one of the few remaining examples of Foy Martin’s Houston work whose architecture has not been “obliterated” by subsequent alteration, citing Martin’s Texas Children’s Hospital and Lakeside Country Club buildings as counterexamples.
- 1720 Main St. [HAR]
Photos of 1720 Main St.: HAR
I’ve always loved this building! The architecture – and the spire – are great.
What an interesting interior – very 60s mod and not a shred of irony in it. While I’d love for the place to remain intact, the cash buyer may have other thoughts in mind.
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Plus, I cannot imagine what the maintenance costs of upkeep might be on the place.
Seems like a dumb time to sell, with the slowing market and all. The building is very nice and should be preserved.
eh, seems the perfect time to sell before cash starts drying up this year. amazing building, but can’t help but see it as pointless to preserve without a congregation to fill it up. does the church intend on moving or did they just want to cash out while the time is right to build something larger?
I’m sure the sellers appreciate the strong offer from AIA w/ a mayors letter. I’m sure that helped them squeeze a few bucks out of the eventual buyer.
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Was AIA not offered a counter? Or did AIA just require more contingencies than the eventual cash buyer?
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I’ve taken a lower priced bid by someone I knew would close, who was willing to put up hard money…. Likewise, I know my lower priced bids have been accepted since if you have a reputation of no-nonsense closing, you’ll have an advantage.
Maybe the buyer can sell the golden spire to Randall Davis for the top of his next condo project?
I’m kind of surprised it’s listed for only $2.25M on HAR. I thought that block would be worth more.