Live music landmark Fitzgerald's being demolished

Entertainer James Brown during his engagement at Fitzgerald's in 1985. Entertainer James Brown during his engagement at Fitzgerald's in 1985. Photo: Timothy Bullard, © Houston Chronicle Photo: Timothy Bullard, © Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 60 Caption Close Live music landmark Fitzgerald's being demolished 1 / 60 Back to Gallery

A demolition crew this week began dismantling Fitzgerald's, the two-story music hall in the Heights that showcased countless performers over the past four decades.

The century-old wooden building sold last year to an entity called Heights Studemont Purchase Co. Harris County in January valued the 18,435-square-foot site at $1.5 million. That included $193,033 for the building.

The property owner also bought three lots on 6½ Street that back up to the club site. The entire parcel totals 36,750 square feet. The purchase price was not disclosed, but a deed of trust recorded in August 2018 shows a $3.5 million loan for the entire property.

The owner is affiliated with investor Jesse Levine and a Chicago-based parking company that owns multiple sites along White Oak just west of Studemont. Levine could not be reached Friday.

Before Fitzgerald's was a live music venue, the building served as Houston's first "Poliski Dom" -- or Polish Home, a social club and dance hall.

The building was constructed in 1918 when a group raised $1,200 to build it. It became Fitzgerald's in 1977 and closed Jan. 1.

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Nancy Sarnoff writes about real estate and development for the Houston Chronicle. She also hosts Looped In, a Chronicle podcast all about real estate. Follow her on Facebook or Twitter.