Merchants and Manufacturers Building

The Merchants and Manufacturers Building is an Art Deco commercial structure in downtown Houston featuring clean geometric lines and decorative details throughout its facade. The building incorporates Cordova Shell limestone and stucco materials and contains extensive interior spaces originally designed for mercantile operations.

Construction was completed in 1930 during the early years of the Great Depression, when it became Houston's largest building. Despite the economic uncertainty of the era, the project demonstrated the city's faith in its commercial future.

The building reflects Houston's shift from a regional trading post to a major commercial hub through its architectural choices. Its Art Deco style embodied the forward-looking confidence and modern aspirations that shaped the city during this period.

The building is located near Allen's Landing, Houston's original settlement area, and now serves the University of Houston-Downtown as One Main Building. Visitors can explore the exterior and publicly accessible interior spaces to appreciate the architectural details and its position in the historic core.

The structure originally contained about 14 miles (22 kilometers) of floor space, a remarkable expanse for a single commercial project of that era. This enormous interior capacity allowed multiple large businesses to operate under one roof.

Location: Houston

Architectural style: Art Deco, Art Deco architecture

Part of: Main Street/Market Square Historic District

Address: 1 Main St.

GPS coordinates: 29.76360,-95.36030

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:41