First Pasadena State Bank tower was a Pasadena icon since 1962. It was the only high-rise building in Southeast Houston, visible from miles away.
MacKie and Kamrath were the architects of this building. Both Karl Kamrath and Frederick MacKie were both UT Austin grads. Their work, criminally under-documented, was highly influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright. This tower was no exception.
Having been raised in the Pasadena area, I am particularly fond of this buillding. This tower was a point of reference, a place where friend's parents worked, where most of the community had bank accounts.
I remember playing in the lobby, where there was a fountain and a grand main space.
Bank lobby's of this grandeur are a thing of the past.
Unfortunately, this building met its demise a few years ago, as nature had taken its toll on the building. After attempts to find someone to buy (and restore) the building, it was imploded.
MacKie and Kamrath's work can still be found in and around Houston. They designed many incredible homes and commercial buildings, all with the clear influence of Frank Lloyd Wright's organic architecture concepts.
#houstonarchitecture#kennedyarchitecture#coastalarchitecture#seabrookarchitects#NASA
#clearlaketexas#modernhousedesign#intercoastalarchitecture
#friendswoodtexas#friendswoodarchitecture
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