AIA Houston Historic Resources Committee Speaker Series - March

SAVE THE DATE!

Thursday, March 24

Join AIA Houston Historic Resources Committee Speaker Series

Speaker:  Stephen McNiel CR, CGR, Creative Property Restoration

Title: Remodeling Houses in Houston's Historic Districts: Challenges and Opportunities

AIA Credit: 1.0 HSW/LU

Location: Architecture Center Houston, 902 Commerce, Houston, TX

Description:  Starting with his first renovation of an old Montrose Bungalow in 1991, Stephen McNeil has continued to breathe new life into several historic homes in Houston. His firm Creative Restoration has successfully renovated historic homes from multiple historic districts in the inner city areas of Houston. A lifelong Houston resident and current commissioner at the Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission, Stephen shares with us his several years of construction experience with historic homes.

Renovating historic homes opens opportunities to preserve our cultural heritage. It also provides several environmental benefits, but what does it take to renovate an old home? During the presentation Stephen McNeil will walk us through a recent project in the German Town historic district that involves remodeling of a multi-family house to a single-family home, and the challenges faced by contractors and homeowners during the process.

Bio:  It was a deal too good to pass up: A HUD house was up for auction at a rock-bottom price, and Stephen McNiel decided to go for it. A young real estate agent, spent year & half completely restoring the old Montrose bungalow and sold it for a profit and started his own business as a result in 1991.

Stephen McNiel, who transformed the ramshackle house into what the Houston Post called “the jewel of the neighborhood.” During that transformation, McNiel launched CPR (tagline: Breathe New Life into Your Home) and has successfully run an award-winning Design/ Build Remodeling Company in the Houston area for the last 30 years - www.cprhome.com. He started Creative Restoration, LP in 2004 to own & run multi-family properties and to buy/fix/sell residential properties. CR, LP has bought/ renovated/ sold dozens of houses in Houston.

C.P.R & CR, LP have successfully renovated houses in multiple historic districts of Houston and is focused on Historic Renovation and Residential Remodeling in the inner and near loop areas of Houston. Stephen McNiel is uniquely qualified for older & historic buildings as he is a current commissioner on HAHC, understanding all of the Historic districts guidelines and processes. A Lifelong Houston resident familiar with history and character and all neighborhoods

Additional Information:

• Masks recommended when not eating or drinking
• Surface lot parking and street parking available (fees applied)
• Walking distance from the Metro Rail line
• Beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages provided