Paul Building, National Register courthouse in Downtown Houston, United States
The Paul Building is an eight-story structure in Downtown Houston distinguished by brown brick walls and terra cotta ornaments featuring carved P monograms. The building stands within a historic district that preserves several properties from this period.
Built in 1907, the structure soon housed a federal court that established itself in the business district. It changed hands and names multiple times throughout the 20th century while maintaining its original framework.
The building carries the name of a former owner and displays Chicago School design principles through clean lines and functional details visible throughout its facade. The brown brick exterior with terra cotta ornaments reflects the architectural taste that dominated Downtown Houston in the early 1900s.
The building sits in a central location reachable on foot and accessible by multiple transportation methods. Visitors should know this is an occupied building, so public access to interiors may be limited.
The structure has been known by several different names including Hoffman Building, Turnbow Building, and Republic Building before gaining its current designation. These name changes reflect the shifting ownership and evolving uses of this downtown property.
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