Tax Credit Program Highlight: Oriental Textile Mill

Houston, Harris County

1893

Designation	Individually listed in the National Register
Historic Use	Industrial
Current Use	Commercial offices
Total Rehabilitation Cost	$3,675,882
Qualified Rehabilitation Expenses	$3,653,712
Date Certified	March 15, 2017
	Also certified for Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credits.

History

This sprawling brick industrial complex was originally constructed for A.R. Morey and Company, a mattress manufacturer based in Houston. A pillar of the Houston Heights neighborhood, it was one of the first and largest industrial complexes to be constructed, and one of the few that still remain intact. The employees of the factory also lived within the neighborhood in company housing provided by their employer. The factory building received multiple additions over the years and was used through the late 20th century for manufacturing—from mattresses to textiles to Venetian blinds. At the time it was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, the complex was being used as a fiberglass manufacturing plant.

Rehabilitation Project

The 60,000-square-foot complex sat vacant for decades prior to the current rehabilitation, when it was converted for use as rentable office space and a popular small café. The interior of the building remains mostly open, with its original floors and ceiling structure contributing to its character. Historic industrial features such as sliding fire doors and floor scales are retained in place. One of the enduring memories of neighborhood residents was the routine chiming of the clock in the building’s main tower; however, during decades of abandonment, the clock had ceased to function. As part of the rehabilitation, the clock was restored to working condition by a specialist from England. Although the chimes have been disabled, the clock still retains its fame in the building’s branding, as the complex is now known as The Heights Clocktower.