Location, History and For Sale

Harrison Building, 513-517 Spring St.

Just to the south of the Texas Street Bridge, sitting squarely in the middle of the 500 block of Spring Street, sits a building with a history. Most recently known as the ‘Kirby Kelly Building’ (after the attorney with the white hat who owned it), the building long pre-dates Kelly. It is adjacent to arguably the oldest building in downtown, the Spring Street Historical Museum, and is close to the same age.

Mayor Martin Talley had the building constructed in about 1865; it later became known as the ‘Harrison Building’, a name it still goes by today.

The building has housed many businesses over its 153 years- a federal courthouse, sewing machine repairs, a printer, a sweet shop…but for many years was the home of Elliott Electric Co., a place known for providing ‘electrical equipment for the house in its entirety.’

While Elliott, it was also a great place to introduce the boys in your family to the joys of wireless communications -turning their minds to a ‘practical purpose’ and away from the dangers of ‘indefinite wanderings.’

During the Elliott Electric days, the beautiful structure of the building can be clearly seen, from the cast iron columns to the architectural detail around the window openings. The beautiful columns are still intact, the brick is in good shape, the roof has been maintained; all important in retaining wonderful historic buildings such as this for future generations. The 2-story, 14,000 sf building also has a full and dry basement that is not included in the square footage total. Interior drop ceilings can be removed to raise ceiling heights to 10′-12′, half-round windows bricked up on the north side can be uncovered for a flood of natural light. The location is prime, just as it would have been in 1865, with quick access to both north Bossier and south Shreveport from downtown. The building comes with 14 parking spaces just out the back door with the potential for more. It lists at $790,000; just over $56 PSF. Because of its location in a Downtown Development District, the building can also qualify for both state and federal historic tax credits, which can be stacked to return 40% of all qualified construction costs.