Bute, James, Company Warehouse
Also known as: Dakota Lofts
Why it's listed
Rising four stories beside the railroad tracks north of downtown Houston, this brick warehouse was built in 1909-1910 for the James Bute Company, a wholesale paint and manufacturing firm. Architect Olle J. Lorehn designed it with a reinforced concrete platform and basement, heavy timber framing and hollow tile infill. Brick banding, arched fourth-floor windows and two rooftop sprinkler water tanks give it modest ornament and a landmark profile. It was the largest warehouse in Houston when finished. The building matters for its link to rail-based wholesale trade, which shaped the city's warehouse district, and for its association with James Bute, a Scottish-born businessman whose company operated from 1869 until 1990. It also stands as a well-preserved example of early twentieth-century warehouse architecture by a respected local architect. Rehabilitated in 1992-1993, it now holds apartments called Dakota Lofts, with exposed timber structure and original features retained.
Significance in brief: It was the largest warehouse in Houston when completed and reflects the city's growth as a regional wholesale distribution center tied to the railroads. It is also the main surviving property tied to founder James Bute's career and an example of early 20th-century warehouse design by an important Houston architect.
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 94000677, listed July 7, 1994. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 711 William St., Houston |
|---|---|
| County | Harris County |
| Listed | July 7, 1994 |
| Reference number | 94000677 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1909-1944 |
| Architect / builder | Lorehn, Olle J./ Lucas & Smith |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and Early 20th Century American Movements: Commercial Style |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Commerce, Industry, Transportation |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Rehabilitated in 1992-1993 and converted to apartments known as Dakota Lofts; current function is multiple dwelling. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 29.76785, -95.35419 (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 94000677.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q19880957
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.