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Sweeney, Coombs, and Fredericks Building
The Sweeney, Coombs, and Fredericks Building is a late Victorian commercial building with a 3-story corner turret and Eastlake decorative elements that was designed by George E. Dickey in 1889.[1] The building is located at 301 Main Street in Houston, Texas and occupies the corner of Main Street and Congress Street in Downtown Houston.[1] The building is one of the few Victorian-style architectural structures that remains in the city.[2] The building received a "City of Houston Landmark" designation in 2009. The building is included in the National Register of Historic Places by virtue of being a conforming structure in the Main Street/Market Square Historic District.[3] LocationThe Sweeney, Coombs and Fredericks Building shares a 75-year ground lease from Harris County and adjacent to the historic Pillot Building.[4] The building lies within the boundaries of Houston's Main Street/Market Square Historic District. Market Square, the namesake for the historic district, is just one block away on Congress Street.[2] Purchase, Development, and ConstructionPurchaseIn 1882, John Jasper Sweeney and Edward L. Coombs commissioned the purchase of an 1861 building built by William A. Van Alstyne, the W.A. Van Alstyne Building.[1] ConstructionHistorical records indicate that the W. A. Van Alstyne Building was set to be demolished and replaced by the Sweeney and Coombs structure.[1] Speculation remains as to whether the demolition of the W. A. Van Alstyne Building was ever completed; some theorists believe that the W. A. Van Alstyne Building was incorporated by renovation into the structure built by Sweeney and Coombs.[1] Construction of the building was completed in 1887.[1] DesignThe building was designed by George E. Dickey and the style of the building reflects the Victorian Era of architecture.[1] Design elements included a 3-story corner turret and Eastlake decorative elements.[1] The decorative angled doors of the building are set facing the intersection of 220 Main Street.[4] RenovationsThe building underwent a modest renovation in 1968, which preserved the exposed brick walls and original hardwood floors.[4] OwnershipGus Fredericks joined the Sweeney and Coombs Jewelry firm before 1889.[1] The jewelry firm is still in business.[1] In 1974, Harris County acquired the building through condemnation.[5] The Environmental Practice Group of the Harris County Attorney’s Office occupies the 2nd floor and a portion of the County Auditor’s Office occupies the third. See alsoReferences
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