The War Apartments and Midcentury · 1943–1965

The tower that was never built

1956

In September 1956 Linus Hardin, chairman of Southwestern Fidelity Life, announced a $600,000 four-story office building at 207 E. 11th “for Southwestern Fidelity Investment Co.,” an affiliate that would occupy one floor: 20,000 square feet, air-conditioned, designed by Smart & Whitehead, and “the first building of its size in the Heights area.” The same story said “the insurance firm will remain at 3617 Montrose.” Construction was due to begin early in 1957.

It was never built. Had it been, it would have replaced at least part of the shop row at 207 E. 11th. Some of the corner’s luck is the projects that never happened.

The source

Newspaper clipping headed 4-Story Building For Heights Area Planned, with the top of a drawing of a modern office building. — Houston Chronicle, Sept. 23, 1956, p. 72: “4-Story Building For Heights Area Planned,” for 207 E. 11th.

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Also: Houston Post, Sept. 23, 1956.