Sengelmann Hall    |    Schulenberg, Texas

From 1894 until the late 1940s, Sengelmann Hall hosted public balls, meetings, weddings, and theatrical performances. It was then used for a while as an automobile parts store, before falling into disrepair. Over the years its historic street facade was also altered. The most difficult design challenge in restoring Sengelmann as a public dance hall was how to best provide accessible restrooms, elevator, second means of egress, and a commercial kitchen without compromising the historical character. To keep the building intact, the owners purchased the adjacent 1894 City Meat Market Building to house a commercial kitchen. A two-story addition containing restrooms, elevator and egress stair was added at the rear of the building. These interventions restored and preserved the original character of both buildings, which are listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

• Honor Award, National Trust for Historic Preservation, 2010
  Historic Preservation Award, Preservation Texas, 2010 Honor Award, Renovation/Restoration, Houston Chapter AIA, 2010
• Feature In:
  Preservation, December, 2010
  Texas Architect, March/April 2010
  Texas Monthly, December, 2009
• Featured in Texas Architect, "Reprise of a Classic" by Anna Mod