The Allen featured in Retrofit Magazine

Historic Brick Building Is Transformed into Modern Offices

Built in 1928 as a furniture showroom, The Allen is a striking, historic brick building with intricate stone detailing, located in the Monte Vista Historic District of San Antonio, Texas.

Once home to Allen’s Flowers & Antiques, this preservation effort restores the building to its former glory, safeguarding its unique character. Over the years, additions created a distinctive complex of interconnected spaces. Studio8 Architecture & Interiors and Guido Construction revitalized this historic gem, blending its original charm with modern co-working environments tailored for today’s professionals.

When George Womack offered to purchase The Allen from the family of longtime owner Grace Louise Mauermann Allen, it was clear that the historic shop at 2101 McCullough held significant value worth preserving. 

Planned updates included opening windows, lowering the second floor and adding modern HVAC systems. However, unexpected issues soon emerged, including support beams that no longer met the floor, sloping floors and hidden staircases. 

The Allen, named after the flower shop and antique store that previously occupied the building’s nearly century-old walls, exemplifies the balance between preserving the past and embracing the future. It’s a prime example of historic renovation. The 20,352-square-foot midtown retail and warehouse space was converted into a modern office environment with critical modifications that included: 

• Lowering the entire second floor to increase headroom. 
• Adding extensive structural supports. 
• Exposing original windows for natural light. 
• Converting warehouse areas into office spaces. 

The rehabilitation process adhered to historic-preservation standards to secure historic status and preserve the original façade. This effort involved matching flooring, bricks and tiles to original materials; salvaging wood wall panels and staircases for reinstallation; and replicating interior trim to match original designs. 

The Monte Vista and Tobin Hill neighborhoods are fortunate that the owner, George Womack, chose to preserve this historical building rather than demolish it. Yet, like most renovations, the project presented numerous challenges (and surprises) for Womack, Guido Construction and Studio8.

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