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Third Avenue Villas

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1943–1944, MacKie and Kamrath. 805–928 3rd Ave. N
  • (Photograph by Gerald Moorhead )

Diagonally across the 3rd Avenue North– 8th Street intersection is a stunning, two-block-long, ninety-six-unit housing complex that, unexpectedly, reinforces the Southern California theme visible at St. Mary's ( AT38). Houston builder-developer Frank W. Sharp and MacKie and Kamrath produced this complex of one- and two-story apartments with their low-pitched hipped roofs, exposed rafters, porch trellises, louvered front doors, and Monterey Style balconies as defense housing. The openness of the site and the presence of tall Washingtonia and full-bodied ornamental date palms contribute to the relaxed charm of this housing complex, a model of civilized garden apartment design rendered all the more poignant by its deteriorated, partially deserted condition. It is a haunting symbol of everything good that Texas City has thrown away.

Writing Credits

Author: 
Gerald Moorhead et al.
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Data

What's Nearby

St. Mary of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church
Joseph Allen Hoover Professional Building
U.S. Post Office
Danforth Elementary School
First United Methodist Church

Citation

Gerald Moorhead et al., "Third Avenue Villas", [Texas City, Texas], SAH Archipedia, eds. Gabrielle Esperdy and Karen Kingsley, Charlottesville: UVaP, 2012—, http://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/TX-01-AT39.

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