JW Marriott Houston Downtown Recognized for Excellence in Historic Preservation

Luxury Hotel Receives the Good Brick Award from Preservation Houston

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. February 27, 2015

Houston, TX - February 27, 2015 - last week JW Marriott Houston Downtown received a Good Brick Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation from Preservation Houston for the adaptive reuse of the historic, 104-year-old Samuel F. Carter Building. The recently opened hotel added 328 guest rooms, a restaurant, spa, executive lounge and more than 16,000 square feet of meeting space to the heart of downtown Houston. It is the JW Marriott brand's first adaptive reuse project in Texas and its second property in Houston.

Since 1978, Preservation Houston has recognized local contributions to the preservation, restoration and enhancement of Houston's architectural and cultural heritage by presenting more than 200 Good Brick Awards. The 2015 winners were selected by a jury of design and preservation professionals, former Good Brick winners.

"We are honored to receive the Good Brick Award from Preservation Houston," said Natalie Wiseman, Director of Sales & Marketing. "The JW Marriott Houston Downtown is a stunning blend of modern amenities and historic architectural elements that contributes to the revitalization of Main Street while preserving its heritage.”

The S.F. Carter Building was constructed in downtown Houston in 1910 and was both the first steel-framed skyscraper in Houston and the tallest building in Houston and in Texas at the time. For the past 80 years the property was used as office space for various businesses. In the 1960s, an exterior marble and glass slipcover was drilled into the original exterior. When the building was purchased by Pearl Hospitality in 2009, it was a semi-occupied class C office building that had been neglected for years.

Following the extensive year-plus restoration, the original building remains structurally intact with its original exterior walls, columns and floor plates. The marble and glass slipcover has been removed and the exterior redeveloped to recreate the original brick and terracotta appearance. The interior was completely remodeled to create a first class luxury hotel. The original, hot-riveted steel columns, previously covered with cement, are exposed and incorporated into the design throughout the hotel, including in the lobby and the hotel's restaurant. The hotel's layout and guestroom design also preserves the column structure and the beautifully restored historic boardroom on the second floor, called the Carter Room, now serves as a meeting space.

Artfully designed by Gensler, JW Marriott Houston Downtown is inspired by Houston's rich heritage and modern attitude. The luxurious guest rooms, exquisitely crafted cuisine, the first Spa by JW worldwide, a curated art collection and its central location on Main Street, make JW Marriott Houston Downtown the new heart of downtown Houston's hospitality.