Robinson Building
Why it's listed
Built in 1907 at 2009-11 Postoffice Street in Galveston, this three-story brick building is a plain commercial block with a flat roof and a parapet with a center projection. A band in the parapet originally read "19 GEO. E. ROBINSON 07." The front is divided into three sections by pilasters, with a corbelled cornice and segmental-arch windows. The street level has been enclosed, though the outline of the original center door, angled entrances and large display windows is still clear. George E. Robinson, of Robinson and Witt, contracting plumbers, gas and steam fitters and electricians, had it built; a 1907 newspaper reported the cost as $11,000. Other plumbing businesses later operated here. The building is listed as an example of the simple early 20th-century commercial structure built to house service businesses. It is the largest in the row facing the Grand Opera House, and its renovation and continued use are seen as key to stabilizing that row. Today it holds a bar and residences.
Significance in brief: The building is presented as an example of the simple, early 20th-century commercial structure built to house service businesses. It is the largest structure in the row facing the Grand Opera House. Its renovation and continued use are described as essential to stabilizing that row.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 84001720, listed August 14, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 2009-2011 Postoffice St., Galveston |
|---|---|
| County | Galveston County |
| Listed | August 14, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84001720 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | George E. Robinson (builder/owner, of Robinson and Witt, contracting plumbers) |
| Architectural style | Commercial |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use is bar and residential; condition is described as good, with alterations reversible. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Strand Historic District, The |
| Coordinates | 29.30505, -94.79071 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 84001720.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110002045
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.