Nestled in the shadows of contemporary skyscrapers, the landmark Spanish Renaissance-style Julia Ideson Building, a part of the Houston Public Library system, will soon undergo an ambitious, comprehensive restoration and expansion project.
The result will be an architecturally compelling venue that, while remaining true to its traditional style, will boast state-of-the-art, environmentally sensitive archival storage and work areas.
For fifty years – between 1926 and 1976 – the building served as Houston’s main public library. In 1976, the main library moved to a new building across the street and the Ideson Building became the home of the Houston Metropolitan Research Center. Its second-floor reading room is home to the famed Texas Room, a grand room for research and reading where anyone who has researched Houston business, buildings, architecture and history in general has spent some time.
In addition to drawing people interested in its research center and its extraordinary collection of books, maps and images, the Ideson will provide a historic venue for exhibits, meetings and special events. Besides its inspiring indoor research and reading areas, the Ideson will also get landscape upgrades and a unique outdoor reading room that will further secure its place as one of Houston’s historic architectural treasures.
