The Grand Leader is an adaptive reuse of the former Grand Leader Department Store building on the Washington County Courthouse square, now transformed into a bustling multi-use commercial hub.
The courthouse-facing facade has been handsomely and cost-effectively converted from inflexible glass display cases into a welcoming shady front porch for the community. Fixed seating allows the porch to be utilized after-hours for the many evening events on the square.
The interiors of Mescalito Coffee, and To Pieces Bakeshop face the courthouse square. A ramp leads beyond to the Ballad of the Bird Dog retail shop where a historic skylight was uncovered and brings new life into the space.
The building lacked a second modern means of egress for the sloping downtown site, thus limiting the square footage in use. The design team collaborated with city officials to integrate a new rear exterior steel egress stair and porch over the city sidewalk and Commerce Street parking below. Now rentable space has been put back into use in downtown Brenham for the community at the expense of a single parking space.
The renovated Grand Leader will continue to welcome Brenham citizens and visitors for years to come.
Role : Design Architect; Associate Architect: BBAx Architects; General Contractor: Jared Anderson Worldwide; Structural Engineer: Jared Anderson; Blind Willie Johnson Mural: Levi Ponce; Photography: Corey Leamon, Matthew Niemann
Awards:
2023 AIA San Antonio Design Award
2025 AIA Brazos Design Award