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2021 BIA Brick in Architecture Awards

Best in Class: Historic Renovation: City of Galveston 30th Street, Water and Electric Light Station, Galveston Texas

Architect: The LaBiche Architectural Group, Inc

Brick Manufacturer/Distributor: Acme Brick

Mason: Marsh Waterproofing, Inc.

Photography by Angie LaBiche

The red brick “Galveston Water and Electric Light Station” was built in 1904 atop the buff limestone foundations of the earlier 1889 pump station that was destroyed in the 1900 hurricane. Designed by prominent Galveston architect Charles William Bulger (1851-1922), the monumental arched wood windows and elaborate pressed metal cornice recalled the baths of ancient Rome, a fitting metaphor for the building that was the center for Galveston’s public water distribution system for over a century.

The intention of this historic renovation was to rehabilitate the Pump Station in a community center for the rapidly expanding surrounding neighborhoods. Elements of the original pump station equipment, signage, and hardware are on display to inform visitors about the building's history. One of the original 1889 water tanks, east of the building, also remains. This iconic building will serve the citizens of Galveston as a meeting, party and wedding venue. The exterior of the building was completely tuck pointed and broken bricks were replaced with original bricks harvested from the rear wall of the building. Building cornices and pediments were originally made of sheet metal and through the years deteriorated due to the exposure of the salt air from the Gulf of Mexico. They were replaced with fiberglass replicas cast from another Bulger building. The broken limestone on walls and entry stairs were replaced with Texas white limestone to match the originals.

This building originally contained two rooms, one for the electric generator and the other for the water pumps. The main meeting room is surrounded by thirteen-foot tall original double hung wood windows and large cypress doors which were removed cleaned to bare wood and repainted in the original 1904 color scheme. The floor contained pits which housed the water pumps that supplied Galveston with drinking water until the 2000’s. The pits were filled and a new slab poured over the old openings. The interior color scheme is from renovations done to the building in the 1930’s. The rear room was converted into a catering corridor, public restrooms and a smaller meeting room. A mezzanine was created over the restrooms for the new mechanical room.

Click here to watch the full video of all BIA 2021 Winners.