Owner: Midtown Redevelopment Authority | Architect: Kirksey Architecture

One Emancipation Center is a five-story, 64,500-square-foot core and shell office building that houses a number of organizations engaged in affordable housing advocacy, administration and support services. Across the street from Emancipation Park in Houston’s Third Ward near downtown, this is the first centrally located facility for much-needed services. The buildings’ first and fifth floors have space for community gatherings.

Designed by Kirksey Architecture, the project also includes a 80,700-square-foot, four-story open parking garage and three-story, 20-unit residential building. The site has historical significance for African-American heritage and the building’s design was inspired to reflect this. The project is a 2022 Houston Business Journal Landmark Awards Finalist in the Office Building or Campus Category.