NewForm Real Estate has completed a multi-million-dollar restoration of 917 Franklin, the historic Commercial National Bank Building in Houston’s original financial district. The six-story office property, considered one of the city’s earliest skyscrapers, offers just over 50,000 square feet of space and has been repositioned through a comprehensive exterior and interior refurbishment program.
The building, originally completed in 1904, is situated within Main&Co, a district of restored historic buildings along Main Street between Commerce and Franklin streets. This location places 917 Franklin among a concentration of legacy properties that have been reinvested in and modernized while retaining their historic identity.
The Commercial National Bank Building holds formal historic recognition as a City of Houston landmark. It also contributes to the Main Street Market Square Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. That designation underscores the building’s architectural and historical significance within the broader downtown fabric and helps frame the restoration within an ongoing preservation effort in the area.
NewForm’s restoration scope included significant exterior work aimed at both preservation and functional improvement. The façade received extensive attention, with repairs designed to address age-related wear while maintaining the building’s historic character. Window repairs and masonry cleaning were undertaken to enhance both appearance and performance, and upgraded exterior lighting was added to highlight architectural details and improve visibility.
On the interior, the project focused on reintroducing historic character while aligning the building with modern office expectations. The lobby was redesigned and now features restored plaster detailing and dentil moldings that reference the building’s early 20th-century origins. These restored elements are paired with refreshed finishes and a layout intended to support contemporary tenant use.
Building systems were modernized as part of the work, improving the functionality and reliability of core infrastructure. Office suites were updated to include new lighting and audio-visual infrastructure, creating a more flexible environment for today’s office users. The addition of kitchenettes within suites further enhances tenant convenience and supports a range of workplace configurations.
Throughout the project, original architectural elements were preserved and restored wherever feasible, reflecting a deliberate approach to retain as much of the building’s historic fabric as possible. The completed work positions 917 Franklin as a modernized office asset within a historically significant district, combining upgraded functionality with restored character in a legacy downtown property.
