Lewis Apartment Building
Why it's listed
Six apartments occupy this two-story, brick-veneered frame building at the corner of Smith and Tuam Streets in Houston's South End. Russian Jewish immigrants Simon and Ella Lewis built it in 1923 as an income-producing property for middle-class tenants near the trolley line. Its front and side facades have patterned red brickwork, ogee-arched entrances, a parapet with inset plaques, and a flat roof. Inside, two separate stairwells serve the units, which keep oak woodwork, hardwood floors, French doors, and tiled bathrooms with Art Deco features. The building was a typical 1920s apartment house when new. Large-scale demolition in the neighborhood over the past three decades has left it one of the few survivors of its type in the Houston area. Its exterior and floor plan remain largely unchanged, and it is still used as apartments. The Lewis family kept ownership until the 1980s. The architect or builder is unknown.
Significance in brief: The building is nominated under Criterion C in Architecture as a representative 1920s multi-family apartment building in Houston. It was typical when built, but after heavy demolition in the neighborhood its survival and largely unaltered exterior and interior make it exceptional. Its intact floor plan and original interior details illustrate apartment life of the 1920s.
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 96000587, listed May 24, 1996. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 2815--2817 Smith St., Houston |
|---|---|
| County | Harris County |
| Listed | May 24, 1996 |
| Reference number | 96000587 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1923-1946 |
| Architect / builder | unknown |
| Architectural style | Eclectic (listed as Mixed) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as multiple dwellings, the building is in good condition with very few alterations. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 29.74558, -95.37910 (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 96000587.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110002192
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.