Mellie Esperson Building vs Niels Esperson Building

Comparing the Mellie Esperson Building and the Niels Esperson Building is particularly interesting because they share the same skyline in Houston, TX, and were both designed by John Eberson. However, they were completed more than 14 years apart.

This offers a unique perspective on how the architect's style and the city's architecture evolved over time.

The Niels Esperson Building is clearly the larger tower of the two, both in terms of height and number of floors. It rises to 410ft (125m) with 32 floors above ground, while the Mellie Esperson Building reaches 272ft (83m) with 19 floors above ground.

Of course, each project may have faced different briefs or regulatory constraints, which we don't really know about and could also explain the outcome.

The Mellie Esperson Building was designed in the Art Deco style, while the Niels Esperson Building reflects the principles of Neoclassical.

Both towers were built when their respective styles were already past their prime. This makes them feel more like late continuations rather than groundbreaking statements, showing how architectural traditions can linger even as tastes shift.

Both the Mellie Esperson Building and the Niels Esperson Building were designed to serve as commercial towers, and that has remained their main use since their completion, serving similar roles in the urban fabric.

The Niels Esperson Building offers 10 residential units.

Both the Mellie Esperson Building and the Niels Esperson Building rely on a Frame structural system.

A frame structure uses a grid of columns and beams to carry the building's loads. This frees the walls from structural duties, allowing for flexible floor plans and larger windows.

They also employ the same type of facade, a Masonry facade.

A masonry facade gives the building a heavier, more traditional appearance. It often conceals a frame structure behind it, creating the look of solid walls without carrying the main loads.