Rice University Maxfield Hall
Rice University Maxfield Hall © Hester + Hardaway | Courtesy Preservation Houston | Houston, Texas
Back to news DECEMBER 10, 2021

Citywide non-profit historic preservation advocacy and education group, Preservation Houston, has named four MHA Houston projects as 2022 Good Brick Award winners. The awards honor "projects and individuals that have had an impact on honoring the city’s architectural past." Winning MHA projects include 3201 Allen Parkway (Star Engraving Company Building), Ironworks (Cameron Iron Works), La Colombe d'Or Hotel (Ella and Walter W. Fondren, Sr. House), and Rice University's Maxfield Hall (Mechanical Laboratory).

A long-time friend of MHA Houston, real estate consultant and preservationist, William R. (Bill) Franks, was honored with this year's President’s Award. The prestigious award is chosen by a jury made up of previous Good Brick recipients and preservation and design professionals. Congratulations Bill!

William R. (Bill) Franks
William R. (Bill) Franks | Photo by Daniel Ortiz | Courtesy Preservation Houston

See below to learn more about MHA's honored rehabilitations.


Rice University's Maxfield Hall | Houston, TX

Preservation Houston 2022 Good Brick Award

Rice University Maxfield Hall © Hester + Hardaway | Courtesy Preservation Houston

One of the first buildings constructed on Rice University’s campus, the 1912 Mechanical Laboratory (now known as Maxfield Hall) has been rehabilitated as the new home for the university’s Department of Statistics. The building's historic design elements were sensitively preserved while many of the building systems were modernized and made wheelchair accessible.


Ironworks | Houston, TX

Preservation Houston 2022 Good Brick Award

Ironworks © Jim Parsons | Courtesy Preservation Houston

Kaldis Development converted Ironworks in Houston’s East End into an eclectic office with retail spaces. The historic building now houses local businesses, including MHA Houston, Segunda Coffee Lab, Shop Local, Cargo, and Keller Williams Houston. Originally manufactured by Truscon Steel Company, the property served as the headquarters for Cameron Iron Works, the company credited with inventing the blowout preventer, from 1935 until 1946.


La Colombe d’Or Hotel | Houston, TX

Preservation Houston 2022 Good Brick Award

La Colombe d’Or © Tarick Foteh / T Foteh Photography | Courtesy Preservation Houston

Father and son developers Steve and Daniel Zimmerman reimagined the 1923 Ella and Walter W. Fondren, Sr. House in Montrose into the La Colombe d’Or Mansion Hotel. The boutique hotel features rehabilitated and restored historic details alongside modern amenities, a new bar and restaurant, and artwork from the Zimmerman’s private collection.


3201 Allen Parkway | Houston, TX

Preservation Houston 2022 Good Brick Award

3201 Allen Parkway © Chase Daniel | Courtesy Radom Capital

Radom Capital rehabilitated and adapted Houston’s historic Star Engraving Company building into a mixed-use, retail and office hub, 3201 Allen Parkway. The ca. 1930 Spanish Mediterranean style office, courtyard, and storage warehouse is in Houston’s inner loop on a mature, tree-lined bluff, facing Buffalo Bayou.


Click on the images below to learn more about each of the above award-winning rehabilitations.