The National Register of Historic Places - Fire Station No. 6


When Axiom President Tom Hair restored Fire Station No. 6 to become the new home for Axiom, a brand strategy and creative communications firm, he felt that the architecturally unique building also possessed historic value. And while this belief has been validated by local recognition and awards in the past few years, Axiom has since learned that the fire station holds national historic significance as well—an honor that even predates the building’s restoration.

With the help of Preservation Houston, Axiom recently discovered that Fire Station No. 6 is included in the National Register of Historic Places, a list organized by the U.S. Department of the Interior. This register catalogs a number of historic locations worthy of preservation, which includes buildings and structures around the nation.

In 1978, Fire Station No. 6 was inducted into the National Register of Historic Places and cited for its architectural significance. The National Register highlighted the fire station’s wide central bay, originally used as the building’s vehicle entrance, as well as the iconic arched windows ornamented by red brick molding. Only one other building in Houston’s Sixth Ward was inducted into the National Register of Historic Places in 1978: the Brunner building, which once housed the bottling works company Vogler Bottlers. Of these two, Fire Station No. 6 is the only building left standing today.

While it was added to the National Register before Axiom’s renovations, recognition for Fire Station No. 6 has steadily increased since the building’s restorations concluded in late 2011.

In January 2014, Axiom was honored with a Development of Distinction Award from the Urban Land Institute, an international organization. This award recognizes developments that exemplify best practices in construction, design, economic viability, marketing, management and a positive impact on community health.

Historic Fire Station No. 6 – before and after the renovation process.
In 2013, Fire Station No. 6 received a Good Brick Award from Preservation Houston for excellence in historic preservation. During the 2013 Good Brick Award ceremonies, Houston Mayor Annise Parker stated, “That’s not just any old building. That’s the history of the city of Houston right there.” That same year, the historic preservation of the fire station was recognized when it was named a Landmark Award Finalist by the Houston Business Journal.

Fire Station No. 6’s Development of Distinction Award also received notable mention in multiple news outlets, including the Houston Business Journal, the Houston Chronicle, CultureMap Houston Magazine, KUHF Houston Public Media and broadcast channels MyFoxHouston and ABC13 News.

Axiom President Tom Hair with KUHF's Pat Hernandez
Axiom, which was excited to learn that Fire Station No. 6 is cataloged in the National Register of Historic Places, takes pride in the recognition the building has received in recent years. This is all part of the increasing notoriety of the fire station in the Houston area and beyond. From 1978 to 2014, the building has made a name for itself in iconic design and preservation. And Axiom is proud to call Fire Station No. 6 home.

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