Preserving the historic 1936 building while adapting it to accommodate 21st century learning needs, Webber Commercial has taken on a unique project in an underserved community located only a few miles from the skyscrapers of downtown Houston.
On December 4th, Houston Independent School District authorities, city and state representatives, as well as alumni and current students held a ground-breaking ceremony with Webber Commercial’s already-at-work team serving as a backdrop for the event.
The $57 million project is divided into three phases of construction. In the first phase, Webber placed 11 portable buildings to house more than 90 classrooms, cafeteria, gymnasium and administrative offices. The second phase started in January 2018, and consisted of demolishing a collection of buildings added onto the original structure over the past 80 years. Now, Webber’s crews are already setting the groundwork for the third phase focused on construction of the new facilities, which will occupy more than 184,000 square feet.
“This project will allow us to continue creating phenomenal opportunities for our 800 students.”
Stephen F. Austin High School is a beloved institution in the Houston neighborhood known as the East End – and one of the oldest operating High Schools in the US. Since it was built in 1936, its red walls have been a hallmark, which it will now be preserved while serving so many more generations of students in the future.
