Ernie’s, An American Bistro

Brenham, Texas

Returning this 1890s storefront to its original context, honor its story as a historical building, and meet the needs of a modern restaurant was a significant design and engineering challenge. Due to the extensive structural damage the building had sustained over the course of its life, only masonry perimeter walls, including the upper portion of the front façade could be retained. The interior design also required a mezzanine level, which would have exceeded the historic building height at the street, disrupting the style along the courthouse square.

To accommodate this need, the ceiling was raised two feet at the front to create a central dining space with a generous height and clerestory windows that remained below the original parapet height at the street, leaving the uniform building height intact.  The storefront was rebuilt in mahogany surrounded by new brick that was specifically selected to blend in with the existing masonry. New French doors allow the dining rooms to open to the square for al fresco dining. 

Longleaf pine planks from the original roof framing were salvaged and milled and given new life as wall finishes and trim throughout the restaurant. Where the new roof’s steel framing ties into the existing wall, layers of plaster and stucco were intentionally left exposed to remind visitors of the story of what came before. The existing black cast iron columns were incorporated into the design and the roof is supported by a delicate, custom-designed ceiling truss that avoided the need for heavy interior supports, keeping the space above diners’ heads light and open.