Mary Ann Azevedo once called this pair, the Niels and Mellie Esperson Buildings rising in front of you, among the most recognizable buildings in Downtown. The taller, original block — the Niels Esperson Building — is the only complete example of Italian Renaissance architecture in Downtown Houston, designed by theater architect John Eberson. The pair were built in 1927 and 1941, respectively, and are elaborately detailed with massive columns, great urns, terraces, and a grand tempietto at the top, similar to one built in the courtyard of San Pietro in Rome in 1502.
Mellie Esperson had the first of the two buildings constructed for her husband, Niels, a real estate and oil tycoon; his name is carved on the side of the building, above the entrance, in large letters. The accompanying structure bears the name "Mellie Esperson," but it is only a nineteen-story annex to the original Esperson building, the newer of the two and not as tall. Instead of neo-classical design, that annex was constructed in Art-Deco style.
Notice the tempietto crowning the tower, then the Art-Deco mass of the nineteen-story Mellie annex rising beside it.