Historic 36-room Houston mansion sold; preservationists fear uncertain future

Few buildings in downtown Houston look like the Kirby Mansion. Its red-brick walls, tall chimneys and steep roof, rising above the towers, are unlike anything else in the neighbourhood. Recently, the century-old, castle-like mansion at 2000 Smith St. changed hands. On 1 October, the historic mansion was sold to OB Texas Properties LLC, as reported by Chron. It is one of the last surviving grand homes of old Houston, and preservationists are now worried about its future. “We’re really concerned about the future of this building. We obviously want to see the building retained and put to productive use,” Jim Parsons, programme and communications director for Preservation Houston, told the outlet.A mansion from another eraThe mansion was originally built in the 1890s for businessman J.S. Price. Later, lumber magnate John Henry Kirby bought the property. Kirby, nicknamed the ‘Prince of the Pines’, is the namesake of Kirby Drive.