{"url":"https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2026/04/21/newform-real-estate-917-franklin-restoration.html?j=45316661&senddate=2026-04-21&empos=p2","title":"NewForm finishes 917 Franklin historic restoration","domain":"bizjournals.com","imageUrl":"https://images.pexels.com/photos/29536246/pexels-photo-29536246.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=650&w=940","pexelsSearchTerm":"houston","category":"Business","language":"en","slug":"9af309a8","id":"9af309a8-4f07-4091-986b-3a877a633485","description":"917 Franklin Restored: NewForm Real Estate completed a multimillion-dollar renovation of the historic Commercial National Bank Building at 917 Franklin Str","summary":"## TL;DR\n- **917 Franklin Restored:** NewForm Real Estate completed a multimillion-dollar renovation of the historic Commercial National Bank Building at 917 Franklin Street in downtown Houston.[[1]](https://www.connectcre.com/stories/newform-completes-revitalization-of-vintage-houston-office-tower)[[2]](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/historic-122-old-houston-bank-150000650.html)\n- **88% Leased:** The six-story, 42,000-square-foot building is now about 88% leased as office space with 3,390 square feet of retail.[[3]](https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/article/historic-office-commerce-bank-downtown-houston-22216523.php)\n- **Main & Co Boost:** Restoration integrates it into NewForm's Main & Co corridor, drawing tenants seeking historic character amid downtown revival.[[2]](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/historic-122-old-houston-bank-150000650.html)\n\n## The story at a glance\nNewForm Real Estate finished restoring the 122-year-old Commercial National Bank Building at 917 Franklin Street, a six-story neoclassical landmark from Houston's original financial district. The project preserved historic features like façade marbling and plaster details while adding modern office upgrades. Reporting follows the recent completion, as part of NewForm's Main & Co mixed-use corridor along Main Street. The building, acquired in December 2022, now stands 88% leased.[[3]](https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/article/historic-office-commerce-bank-downtown-houston-22216523.php)\n\n## Key points\n- Originally opened in 1904 as one of Houston's earliest skyscrapers; hosted William Marsh Rice's offices on the third floor and early Rice Institute spaces on the sixth until 1926.[[2]](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/historic-122-old-houston-bank-150000650.html)\n- Designated a City of Houston landmark and contributing structure in the National Register-listed Main Street Market Square Historic District.[[1]](https://www.connectcre.com/stories/newform-completes-revitalization-of-vintage-houston-office-tower)\n- Renovations included façade restoration, window repairs, masonry cleaning, upgraded exterior lighting, redesigned lobby with marble, plaster, terrazzo floors, and brass details; interiors exposed original brick, hardwood floors, concrete ceilings.[[3]](https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/article/historic-office-commerce-bank-downtown-houston-22216523.php)\n- Modern updates feature renovated bathrooms, new office lighting, audiovisual wiring, kitchenettes, and building systems.[[1]](https://www.connectcre.com/stories/newform-completes-revitalization-of-vintage-houston-office-tower)\n- Andres Construction led work; interior designer M.Naeve handled lobby; 3,390 square feet of street-level retail plus office suites from 300 to 2,300 square feet available.[[4]](https://www.newformrealestate.com/properties)\n- Stream Realty handles office leasing; Rebel Retail Advisors manages retail.[[3]](https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/article/historic-office-commerce-bank-downtown-houston-22216523.php)\n\n## Details and context\nNewForm Real Estate, led by Dan Zimmerman, bought the roughly 42,000-square-foot building in December 2022 to expand its Main & Co district, which includes adjacent restored structures at 108, 110, and 114 Main Street—the Raphael, Dorrance, and Brewster buildings. This creates a block blending offices, restaurants, and cultural spots in a pedestrian-friendly area near the upcoming Main Street Promenade ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.[[2]](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/historic-122-old-houston-bank-150000650.html)\n\nThe restoration counters post-pandemic office trends favoring newer buildings by emphasizing unique historic charm, such as original dentil moldings and marbling, alongside practical modernizations to attract tenants.[[3]](https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/article/historic-office-commerce-bank-downtown-houston-22216523.php)\n\nZimmerman's prior experience includes restoring the La Colombe d'Or Hotel in Montrose with his father Steve and Hines during the pandemic.[[2]](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/historic-122-old-houston-bank-150000650.html)\n\n## Key quotes\n“The restoration has made the building significantly more competitive in the downtown office market, particularly for tenants looking for character and differentiation from newer product.” — Dan Zimmerman, NewForm Real Estate.[[2]](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/historic-122-old-houston-bank-150000650.html)\n\n“There has been increased leasing interest tied to restored historic features, updated interiors, and the broader Main & Co environment.” — Dan Zimmerman, NewForm Real Estate.[[3]](https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/article/historic-office-commerce-bank-downtown-houston-22216523.php)\n\n“The Commercial National Bank building now joins the restored Raphael, Dorrance, and Brewster buildings next door, collectively shaping a revitalized block that brings together Houston’s architectural legacy with a new generation of offices, restaurants and cultural energy.” — Dan Zimmerman, NewForm Real Estate.[[2]](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/historic-122-old-houston-bank-150000650.html)\n\n## Why it matters\nRevitalizing historic structures like 917 Franklin supports downtown Houston's shift toward mixed-use districts with character-driven offices amid high vacancy in newer builds. Tenants and investors gain competitive spaces blending legacy details with modern amenities, now 88% leased in a tough market. Watch leasing progress for the remaining retail and offices, plus Main & Co expansions tied to FIFA World Cup preparations.\n\n## What changed\nBefore: The 1904 Commercial National Bank Building stood unrestored, lacking modern systems and full historic preservation in downtown Houston's financial district.  \nNow: NewForm completed multimillion-dollar renovations restoring façade, lobby, and interiors while upgrading offices, systems, bathrooms, and lighting; integrated into Main & Co as 88% leased office/retail space.  \nWhen: Acquired December 2022; restoration announced around 2023 and finished by April 2026.[[3]](https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/article/historic-office-commerce-bank-downtown-houston-22216523.php)\n\n## FAQ\nQ: What historic ties does 917 Franklin have?  \nA: Opened in 1904 as one of Houston's first skyscrapers, it hosted William Marsh Rice's offices on the third floor; after his death, early Rice Institute offices used part of the sixth floor until 1926. The neoclassical structure is a City of Houston landmark in the Main Street Market Square Historic District.[[2]](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/historic-122-old-houston-bank-150000650.html)\n\nQ: What work was done in the restoration?  \nA: Exterior saw façade restoration, window repairs, masonry cleaning, lighting upgrades, and preserved marbling. Interiors featured redesigned lobby with marble, plaster, terrazzo; exposed original brick, hardwood, ceilings; added office kitchenettes, AV wiring, modern bathrooms.[[3]](https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/article/historic-office-commerce-bank-downtown-houston-22216523.php)\n\nQ: How does 917 Franklin fit into Main & Co?  \nA: It joins NewForm's restored adjacent buildings at 108, 110, 114 Main—the Raphael, Dorrance, Brewster—forming a mixed-use corridor with offices, retail, restaurants, and cultural spots along Main Street.[[2]](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/historic-122-old-houston-bank-150000650.html)\n\nQ: Who handles leasing at the building?  \nA: Stream Realty oversees office suites; Rebel Retail Advisors manages the 3,390 square feet of street-level retail space. Offices range from 300 to 2,300 square feet with restored hardwood floors.[[4]](https://www.newformrealestate.com/properties)","hashtags":["#houston","#realestate","#historicrestoration","#downtownrevival","#officeleasing","#mainandco"],"sources":[{"url":"https://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2026/04/21/newform-real-estate-917-franklin-restoration.html?j=45316661&senddate=2026-04-21&empos=p2","title":"Original article"},{"url":"https://www.connectcre.com/stories/newform-completes-revitalization-of-vintage-houston-office-tower","title":""},{"url":"https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/historic-122-old-houston-bank-150000650.html","title":""},{"url":"https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/real-estate/article/historic-office-commerce-bank-downtown-houston-22216523.php","title":""},{"url":"https://www.newformrealestate.com/properties","title":""}],"viewCount":2,"publishedAt":"2026-04-22T00:51:29.265Z","createdAt":"2026-04-22T00:51:29.265Z","articlePublishedAt":"2026-04-21T00:00:00.000Z"}