Fort Bend County partnered with AUTOARCH to repurpose the Historic Missouri City Cougar Gym into the vibrant Landmark Community Center. Once part of a school campus, the Art Deco gym was left standing after the adjacent school was demolished, preserving its historical and community significance. The County acquired the building with the goal of transforming it into a dynamic, multi-use facility that would serve the surrounding community for generations to come.
AUTOARCH led the transformation by honoring the building’s historic Art Deco character while modernizing it for community use. The central basketball court was fully restored as the heart of the facility, complete with a revitalized stage to support performances and gatherings. Original bleachers were removed, and new mezzanine structures were introduced to accommodate multipurpose rooms and event spaces. A newly reimagined lobby serves as a formal entry and venue for receptions, while the basement—created by excavating beneath the stage—now houses an exhibit space and offices.
To ensure full accessibility, a new building addition was constructed with updated restrooms and vertical circulation including three lifts. The lower levels below the mezzanines were reprogrammed to include a juice bar, kitchenette, café, and informal seating. The building envelope was fully restored and updated to meet modern codes, including new mechanical systems.
The Landmark Community Center stands as a restored community asset—revitalized for today while preserving its legacy. It offers a flexible, inclusive venue for recreation, learning, and celebration. Through thoughtful design and adaptive reuse, AUTOARCH helped turn a vacant building into a center of civic pride and activity for Missouri City and Fort Bend County.
