Open Mic

Residents of The Plaza at The Buckingham senior living community recently were given a personal tour of the renovated Hotel Icon in downtown Houston.  For many residents, it was like taking a step back in time, as many remember the original building, built in 1911, which housed the Union National Bank. Some of the residents banked at the Union National Bank, and remember the different businesses the building housed over the years, including Neuhaus & Co., Jesse H. Jones Investment Banking, prominent architect John Staub and international construction giant Brown and Root. Many residents grew up in the area that is now downtown Houston, back when it was small neighborhoods full of families.  Resident Johnny Ackerman was able to relive the days when he was an employee of the local phone company and wired the original Union National Bank for phone services.     

“It was so fun and interesting to hear the residents relive their memories of the building,” said Deborah Mahrt, lifestyles director for The Buckingham. “The building is beautiful and it’s hard to believe that this boutique hotel was once a bank!” 

The Buckingham is Houston’s premier life care senior living community located in the Memorial neighborhood.  Situated on a 17-acre site along Buffalo Bayou at 8580 Woodway Drive, The Buckingham offers resort-style services and amenities for active, independent seniors, as well as all levels of health care services on-site at The Plaza at The Buckingham.  The community features 205 independent living residences; 43 private assisted living apartments; 16 private memory support apartments; and 60 private skilled nursing suites.

The Buckingham is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit senior living community owned by Senior Quality Lifestyles Corporation (SQLC), a Texas-based nonprofit organization that owns sister communities Edgemere in Dallas, Querencia at Barton Creek in Austin, The Stayton at Museum Way under construction in Fort Worth, and Mirador under construction in Corpus Christi.  For information visit www.buckinghamhouston.com, or call (832) 426-1372.