City National Bank Building

1001 McKinney St, Houston, TX

NRHP
City Landmark

Neighborhood: Downtown
Year built: 1947
Style: Moderne
Era: Mid-Century
Architect: Alfred C. Finn
Designations: National Register of Historic Places (listed April 3, 2000) · City of Houston Landmark (designated October 2, 1996)

Significance

Designed by the firm of Alfred C. Finn for City National Bank, the bank descended from Guaranty Trust Company, founded by James Anderson Elkins Sr. in 1924, this tower opened just after World War II. Its stepped profile rises in tiers from a base covering the full block frontage on McKinney between Main and Fannin to a narrow top. The building was almost fully leased at opening, with tenants such as Braniff, DuPont, Humble Oil, Monsanto, and Phillips Petroleum, and radio station KPRC broadcast from the 23rd floor. It offered modern features for its day, including eight high speed elevators and flooring that concealed wiring. It marks the start of Houston's postwar office boom, and it is listed on the National Register and designated a City of Houston Landmark.

Climate risks tracked

Click a risk to see what it means for this building.

The building connects to downtown's underground pedestrian tunnel system, which flooded during Tropical Storm Allison in 2001. That connection makes below grade flood protection especially important: floodgates at tunnel links, raised mechanical and electrical equipment, and a plan for rapid pumping. The stepped Moderne tower has many window openings and exposed setbacks that catch hurricane winds and wind driven rain, so window seals and roof drainage at each setback need attention. Heat gain through the facade is significant downtown, and interior upgrades such as efficient glazing inserts and modern cooling controls can reduce it without changing the limestone exterior.

Use the preservation assistant to talk through retrofit strategies for these specific threats.

Location

Nearby landmarks

Preservation Assistant

Grounded in City National Bank Building