The building lacked all plumbing and electrical systems, and Houston’s weather conditions had increased the challenge of getting up to code. Instead, the bulk of the work in the Retrospect rehabilitation involved equipping the station with utilities, and navigating the numerous regulations set forth by the city of Houston. The functionality of it wasn’t great, but the actual, physical building was very sound,” she says. On the whole, Haynes was impressed with how the structure had held up over the years. And while its shiplap drop ceiling had to be removed, the wood was reused in several other parts of the build-out, from new countertops to connecting hallways. Its original bathroom tiles and rustic brick interior were also retained. They replicated its distinctive cross lattice-paned windows, many of which had been destroyed, and salvaged and reglazed the ones they could. Haynes assembled a team of managing partners, including her husband Chas, and the project was underway.įor Haynes, her husband Chas, and the rest of the group, retaining as much of the station’s original character as possible was one of the top priorities. “That’s something that Houston was kind of late to the game on, but finally we have developers that aren’t just tearing down stuff to put another beige strip center in, and that’s kind of exciting.”įortunately, the owners were willing to sell. “ are the places that have the bones and the character that’s so hard to create in a new piece of construction,” says Haynes. They approached Haynes in 2013 about managing a beer garden that would be placed on a different part of the parcel, and though she had too much on her plate to take on the job, she couldn’t help but inquire about the gas station. Coincidentally, the lot that the station sat on was owned by friends of hers. Haynes took notice soon after the murals began popping up in the mid-2000s.
No single mural ever took up permanent residence, but that was part of the station’s appeal-its ever-changing nature added a special energy to the Third Ward. Located right across the street, the gas station presented an opportunity for artists to showcase their talents in a more accessible fashion. The murals were informally curated by the Station Museum of Contemporary Art, which emphasizes cultural diversity and social justice in its exhibitions. “The station would catch everybody’s eye driving by,” Haynes says, “not only because it’s an amazing little structure, but also because it was constantly reinventing itself through art.” For years after it was boarded up and vacated, the exterior of the former Gulf Oil station was decorated with inventive murals that turned heads with their bold colors and designs.
In addition to coffee drinks, Retrospect also serves teas, Texas craft beer, wines, mimosas, and soft drinks.Īnd if you come hungry, take heart because muffins and pastries are baked in-house daily and the shop carries an extensive crepe and panini menu with vegetarian and vegan options.Ĭlick here for more information or to view the menu. Stop in for espresso drinks pulled by hand on their fantastic Slayer machine with beans from local roasters. The circa 1920s gas station is less than 300 square feet in total, but features a large covered seating area in the front, and an even larger shaded, pet-friendly garden in the back. Located in Midtown on Alabama near Almeda Road, this quirky, modern espresso bar is notably housed in the first Gulf gas station in Texas −and receive a 2018 Good Brick Award from Preservation Houston Get your fix at a coffee bar dedicated to quality coffee and crepes at Retrospect Coffee Bar.