Prominent San Antonio architect James Riely Gordon built the Stevens
building for John James Stevens in 1891. The land at the East
Commerce Street site belonged to Stevens’ wife, Bettie Thornton
Stevens. Three years later, Gordon completed the adjacent Staacke
Building.
Stevens served as postmaster of San Antonio and played a prominent
role in civic affairs. He was a charter member of the University
Club, which had its headquarters and clubrooms in the Stevens
Building.
This three-story building is constructed of brick with granite
detailing. Architectural elements from a variety of styles,
including Romanesque and Queen Anne, give the building a flamboyant
quality. The oriel windows are restorations based on historic
photographs.
The San Antonio Conservation Society purchased the Stevens Building
in 1979 to save it from demolition. The Society later sold the
building to a group of local investors in May, 1982. Along with the
Staacke Building, the Stevens Building has been restored for
adaptive use as retail and office space. |
