
The
Corinthian
Houston,
TX
www.TheCorinthianHouston.com
The
Corinthian is located in a magnificent neoclassical building
at the corner of Main Street and Franklin, completed in
1905 as the home of the First National Bank, an institution
which played an important role in the growth and development
of Houston. At the turn of the 20th century, it was not
only the first steel structure in the city, but at an impressive
eight stories was also one of the tallest buildings in the
state - a skyscraper of its day!
The
Corinthian occupies the first and mezzanine levels of the
edifice: these were the elegant former reception areas once
known as "The Great Hall" extending a full city
block from Main to Fannin. Its most stunning feature is
a majestic colonnade of Corinthian columns soaring to a
height of 35 feet to support the original intricately decorated
plaster ceiling. In the rear wall, a towering but long-forgotten
Palladian window was recently uncovered in the process of
an exacting restoration. The window is flanked by a graceful
double stairway leading to the upper level.
The
Corinthian can accomodate one thousand guests for a seated
dinner and nearly two thousand guests for a reception -
truly an exceptional venue.