Illuminated crosses on Pierce Elevated building are coming down Developer plans 'iconic' makeover after removing crosses on St. Joseph building

﻿Boxer Property is planning to make over the exterior of the St. Joseph Professional Building to create a look "that people will want to photograph and share.' ﻿Boxer Property is planning to make over the exterior of the St. Joseph Professional Building to create a look "that people will want to photograph and share.' Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Staff Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Staff Image 1 of / 32 Caption Close Illuminated crosses on Pierce Elevated building are coming down 1 / 32 Back to Gallery

Houston-based Boxer Property plans to give the recently purchased St. Joseph Professional Building a new look worthy of posting on Instagram and other social media as it energizes the building with new tenants and co-working spaces.

The 18-story building, at 2000 Crawford on the edge of Midtown near downtown, is recognizable from the Pierce Elevated for its large white crosses. It was purchased from a partnership led by Houston-based Mission Cos.

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"We have two giant canvases that everybody sees," said Andrew Segal, chief executive officer of Boxer Property. "It's like a photo bomb in the entire downtown skyline."

Boxer Property has commissioned artists to come up with ideas for the exterior of the building. The crosses will come down, Segal said, but what goes up is anyone's guess. The goal is to create something that people will want to photograph and share.

"I want something that's going to be iconic to Houston," Segal said. "It may be something that changes at night. It could involve a projector."

The 135,586-square-foot building, which is 55 percent occupied, will get the company's signature Boxer Workstyle treatment with collaborative work areas, shared lounges and conference facilities. The building, which connects with St. Joseph Medical Center across the Pierce Elevated by tunnel, will also get updates to the retail spaces on the ground floor. Current tenants include medical professionals and other types of companies.

The location, near two future apartment development sites, factored into the decision to buy.

"I feel like that's the next area that's going to be developed," Segal said.

Mission Cos. completed $7 million in renovations after acquiring the building nearly nine years ago, said Dennis Nelson, head of Mission Cos. The work included upgrades to the common areas, elevators, mechanical systems, restrooms and lighting, as well as a new sprinkler system and adding the crosses.

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Andre Pereira, Boxer Property's director of acquisitions, represented his firm. Rudy Hubbard, Kevin McConn and Rick Goings of JLL represented the seller.

With the acquisition, Boxer Property manages and leases 55 properties in Houston and more than 120 nationwide.

Renovations are expected to begin soon on the building, which is slated to get a new name.

"I don't know if a name will emerge or if we'll let the community name the building once we do something on the side of the building," Segal said.