Threats Facing Houston’s Historic Buildings: Q&A with Minnette Boesel
Minnette Boesel
HOUSTON – (Realty News Report) – For many years Houston showed little interest in preserving its architectural past. Developers and property owners often replaced older structures with new construction, favoring modernity over memory. Recently, however, attitudes have begun to shift — a change symbolized by the successful effort to preserve the Astrodome. Minnette Boesel, a longtime Houston Realtor and preservation advocate, has played a leading role in saving and revitalizing historic buildings across the city. She has co-developed and invested in properties in Market Square Historic District downtown and the East End, and her company, Minnette Boesel Properties, was the first modern residential real estate firm to locate downtown in 1996. Realty News Report spoke with Boesel about how preservation has evolved in Houston and whether residents are growing more receptive to protecting the city’s architectural heritage.
Realty News Report: Houston has a reputation for not saving its historic buildings and homes. Do you think that is changing?
Minnette Boesel: Absolutely. The change has been dramatic since I arrived in Houston in the 1980s. Back then, it was difficult to secure financing for renovation — banks were reluctant to lend. Over three decades, attitudes shifted markedly. When a small group of nonprofits and individuals began working in Market Square, most buildings were vacant and the city lacked a preservation ordinance. We had to battle not only for preservation policies but for basic neighborhood improvements. The area faced serious social challenges: public drinking, panhandling, drug activity and litter from broken bottles. We coordinated with social service agencies and pushed for ordinances to curb public consumption in the right of way — efforts that took years to adopt.
A few of us purchased the W. L. Foley Dry Goods Building, an 1889 structure in the 200 block of Travis Street that had suffered a fire a century after it was built. Because banks would not lend, we pooled our funds and secured owner financing for the rest. Our goal was to restore the Foley Building as an example of what could be accomplished with historic properties. Around that time downtown was beginning to come alive: Randall Davis had completed the Hogg Palace Lofts and began redevelopment of the then-vacant Rice Hotel. Mayor Bob Lanier supported the Rice Hotel restoration and embraced historic preservation, which helped the movement gain traction.
Realty News Report: Has the city government played a role in preservation?
Minnette Boesel: Yes. The city established Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones (TIRZs) to attract investment to areas that otherwise might be overlooked. TIRZs allow tax increments from new improvements to fund public projects within a designated zone. Today Houston has more than 25 TIRZs. The downtown TIRZ has expanded to cover nearly all of downtown and areas along Buffalo Bayou Park to Shepherd Drive. Alongside the Downtown Redevelopment Authority, the TIRZ launched a facade grant program for historic buildings, mainly along the Main Street core, making restoration projects financially viable. Those tools helped turn preservation prospects from aspirational to practical.
Realty News Report: It sounds like attitudes toward quality of life and preservation have evolved, too. How did that happen?
Minnette Boesel: When I arrived in 1982, downtown Houston was primarily a business district; quality-of-life projects weren’t a priority. The economic downturn in the mid-to-late 1980s sharpened focus on the city’s future. Grassroots groups such as Houston Proud brought volunteers and energy to civic projects. Trees for Houston and the Buffalo Bayou Partnership formed in that era, and many organizations began fundraising and volunteering to improve parks and public spaces. Friends of Hermann Park — now the Hermann Park Conservancy — hired an international landscape architect to guide a major renovation. Over 30 years, Houston has transformed from a business-first city into a destination with rich cultural amenities, parks, green space and a dynamic food scene. It took sustained effort and collaboration to build the quality of life we enjoy today.
Realty News Report: The Astrodome drew national attention — how was it ultimately saved?
Minnette Boesel: The Astrodome is an icon of Houston’s ambition and engineering ingenuity. As the world’s first multi-purpose domed stadium, it’s a unique landmark. Many cities demolish older stadiums when new ones are built, but the Astrodome endured. Its significance is widely recognized — alongside the Alamo, it’s one of the most recognizable Texas architectural landmarks. I credit Judge Ed Emmett for steadfast leadership in advocating for the Dome’s reuse; he recognized it as a county asset worth preserving. The structure was nominated and listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a State Archaeological Landmark, meaning any renovation requires careful review. Under the leadership of Phoebe Tudor, the Astrodome Conservancy formed and partnered with the Harris County Sports and Convention Corporation to open the Dome to the public. When 25,000 free tickets went online for an open house, they were gone within two hours, and visitors continued streaming through the Dome late into the evening. That enthusiasm showed how much Houstonians care about preserving the structure and the memories it holds.
Realty News Report: Will the Astrodome’s preservation boost the broader preservation movement in Houston?
Minnette Boesel: I believe so. The Astrodome galvanized public interest and demonstrated how preservation connects to shared community memories. It raised awareness about the value of protecting historic places, not just for their architecture but for the cultural and emotional ties they represent. The Dome’s example can inspire further preservation efforts across the city.
Realty News Report: Are there other buildings currently at risk?
Minnette Boesel: Yes. One at-risk property is the Kirby Mansion at 2000 Smith Street — one of Houston’s last castle-like historic homes. Built in the late 19th century and remodeled in the 1920s, this nearly 18,000-square-foot residence was commissioned by John Henry Kirby, a prominent East Texas lumberman and entrepreneur who became one of Houston’s earliest tycoons. The mansion sits just south of the Pierce Elevated (part of Interstate 45) that separates downtown from Midtown and remains vulnerable to redevelopment pressures.
Realty News Report: Looking forward, what do you see for Houston’s future?
Minnette Boesel: Houston has become a standout American city, thanks to decades of vision, investment and civic leadership. From the aftermath of the 1980s downturn, we have built parks, cultural institutions, and a thriving culinary scene. Philanthropy and community engagement have helped expand green space and improve public amenities. At the same time, preservation needs to expand further. Houston’s Historic Preservation ordinance currently protects about 400 individually designated landmarks and 22 historic districts encompassing roughly 6,600 historic properties. That coverage, however, represents only about 1.5 square miles of the city’s more than 650 square miles. We need to continue identifying older neighborhoods that merit historic district designation so their character, ambiance and value are preserved for future generations.
