Allith Manufacturing Company
B&B Butchers & Restaurant
Originally constructed in 1922 as the Dittman Bakery, this Houston Heights landmark served many purposes over the years until it was left vacant in the 1990s. When first built, it was one of the largest and most modern bakeries in the city. The front of the building housed counters and display cases, while in the rear were large ovens and an immense amount of machinery. In its heyday, the bakery sold 15,000 loaves of bread a day. Some 25 years after being left vacant, restaurateur Benjamin Berg laid eyes on the building and immediately knew he had found the right space to open B&B Butchers & Restaurant. Today, this popular destination seats more than 150 patrons with two swanky bars, an elegant dining room, and an upstairs patio. Patrons can enjoy fantastic views of the downtown Houston skyline while dining alfresco.
The 7,500-square-foot, two-story building had the right bones but needed a full renovation. Berg’s vision was to let the history of the building do the talking and create a restaurant around it. Great pains were taken to preserve as much of the original structure as possible. To that point, Houston-based Issac Preminger Architecture & Design left exposed the building’s wooden beams, brick walls, and steel support columns. The building’s original fire doors were salvaged and used as decorations.
Every older building is unique, with its own identity and distinctive character. More than just the shape of the building, character-defining elements really come to the forefront through materials, craftsmanship, and decorative details. By integrating the original Durand’s Tin Clad Fire Doors and hardware from Allith Manufacturing Co. into the interior, B&B Butchers & Restaurant stays true to its original architectural character, enabling the building to tell its story as Berg had envisioned.
First built in the 19th century for the purpose of withstanding hours of potential fire spread in factory buildings, tin-clad fire doors are composed of treated wood, clad with metal, which is then paired with cast iron and steel rolling track system. Here’s how they work: The doors are mounted on an inclined track with our #3 cast-iron door hangers and then integrated with a weighted chain and a pulley system. This weight is equal to the amount of force needed to prevent the door from rolling closed, and in the event of a fire, a fusible link in the chain would melt, dropping the weights and allowing the door to slam shut. More designers today are drawn to these industrial doors since the aesthetics allow them to infuse antiquity into their interior designs and make the space feel timeless.
Leveraging more than 120 years of heritage, our products are re-engineered for the 21st-century consumer to assure authentic and lasting architectural significance. These door systems are no longer used to prevent the spread of fire but look amazing when used as an architectural centerpiece. We have redesigned the system to be more user-friendly while maintaining aesthetic appeal. Our hangers are known as being “Always on the Track” since the design of the lower retention wheel prevents derailing or bending in case the door is raised. Developed to be incredibly strong and pass the test of time, the track is made of heavy steel tube, while the Reliable Door Hanger and brackets are made using the highest-grade malleable iron. The Durand’s Tin Clad Door has been redesigned at a reduced weight, which results in lower manufacturing and installation cost while improving the user experience and maintaining the aesthetic appeal. If the design better accommodates a smaller door, then our #1 and #2 track hardware will fill the gap and can be utilized with almost any door type. These are commonly used as barn doors in residential and hospitality applications, and provide the same industrial appearance and quality at a more affordable price.
As a result of Berg’s efforts and focus on maintaining the architectural integrity of his building, B&B Butchers & Restaurant was recently awarded the city’s prestigious “Good Brick Award” from Preservation Houston, whose mission is to celebrate Houston’s unique architecture and history. We are proud that Durand’s Tin Clad Fire Doors and Allith Manufacturing Co. Hardware are a part of the restoration of this landmark building that is admired by designers and diners alike.
For more information on Durand’s Tin Clad Metal Doors and hardware from Allith Manufacturing Co., contact sales@industrialbrands.com.
