Overland Property Group is set to transform Conroe’s former Sam Houston Elementary School into Landmark 601, a multi-family apartment community that preserves the building’s historic character while adding arts and community features.
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Conroe's long-abandoned school building will undergo a transformation into a housing development. Overland Property Group, the Kansas-based firm responsible for revitalizing Conroe’s historic Montgomery County Hospital, is set to acquire the former Sam Houston Elementary School on September 30, with plans to transform it into Landmark 601 apartments.
The initiative aims to transform the 1937 Art Deco-style school, crafted by Houston architect Lamar Cato, into 71 multi-family units. The project will feature an apartment designated for an “artist in residence” and will preserve the building’s auditorium, accommodating between 450 and 700 individuals.
April Engstrom, Overland’s director of development, stated that the auditorium has the potential to feature performances in collaboration with Conroe’s arts community.
In July, the project received confirmation of $19.9 million in housing tax credits from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, as stated by Engstrom. The funding will support the restoration of the historic building. Early 2026 will see Overland begin construction, with plans to develop more housing behind the school. Landmark 601 will feature no age restrictions and will allocate 10 percent of its units at market rate, promoting a diverse range of income levels.
“This transformation into contemporary living spaces will preserve the school’s stunning interior and exterior details,” stated Larry Foerster, chairman of the Montgomery County Historical Commission, in an email statement. He remarked that the stained wood classrooms and expansive auditorium of the building represent “a significant accomplishment” in the realm of historic preservation.
Overland is pursuing approval from the National Park Service to have the building recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, a status that has already been awarded to its Landmark 301 senior housing project in Conroe. Architects are currently creating drawings to ensure the renovation meets preservation standards, according to Engstrom.
The property of Sam Houston Elementary, located at the intersection of Lewis and Frazier streets, dates back to the mid-1930s. It was a gift from civic leader Sam Hailey, coinciding with the period of rapid growth in Conroe fueled by the oil industry. The school continued its operations until 2007, at which point it transitioned into the Walter P. Jett Educational Training Center. By the mid-2010s, the property stood unoccupied.
In 2020, the City of Conroe acquired the school for $4.2 million, with plans to transform it into a performing arts center. Despite initial enthusiasm, the anticipated renovation expenses soared to $190 million, leading to the decision to scrap the plan. Following a period of reflection and community examination, the city finalized the sale of the property to Overland earlier this year for $4.3 million.
Engstrom expressed that the company recognized immediate opportunities in the property. “When I first saw this building at the end of 2023, I felt a surge of excitement because I could picture it so vividly as a place I would love to call home,” she said.
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