Architecture is the most public of the arts yet is often judged on the most personal level. On the occasion of the American Institute of Architects' 150th anniversary, the AIA commissioned a public poll where people were asked to select buildings that symbolize innovation and the spirit of their country and community. AIA released the list of the public's 150 favorite buildings in February and started a lively discussion of what defines a significant work of architecture. (Click here to view the America's Favorite Architecture exhibit)

With that national discussion as a backdrop, the local chapter of the AIA asked its members to vote for the twenty five buildings that they feel are the best examples of architecture in our fifteen county territory. Unlike the national poll, the top twenty five buildings listed here are selected by the architects of this community.

Do you agree with our survey results? Would you rank the projects differently? Do you have a favorite project that was not included? We invite you to join the conversation by adding your comments at the bottom of this page.

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Photo courtesy of: John Roberts, AIA

Kimbell Art Museum 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd. - 1972 The last project by architect Louis Kahn before his death in 1974, the design is considered by many as one of the best buildings in the world.  The building consists of a modular arrangement of 16 cycloid vaults.  They are constructed with post-tensioned concrete.  The building is "U" shaped with an entry courtyard in the middle.  A vault on the west porch of each wing is open, providing a shaded walkway to the entrance from both Camp Bowie and Lancaster.  A pool with one change in level flanks the open vaults.  The north and south elevations feature 6 vaults in a series with the non-supporting portions of the walls clad in travertine.  Skylights are located at the top of each vault and run their entire length.  Light is diffused into the space by a series of baffles located inside the vaults.  Within the building are several courtyards that break up the series of vaults and provide garden areas and focal points for sculptures.  It is said that the inspiration for the design of the building came from the vaulted Livestock Exhibits Buildings to the south of the Will Rogers main buildings.  Parking is hidden away on the east side of the building where it is recessed below grade.  Landscaping hides the parking lot and loading dock from Arch Adams Street on the east.  A secondary entrance is located on the lower level of the museum from this parking lot.  Preston M. Geren Associates was the Associate Architect and the museum was built by Thos. S. Byrne. map property

 

Photo courtesy of: Leonard Chapel

Marty Leonard Chapel 3131 Sanguinet St. - 1990 Marty Leonard is the daughter of Marvin Leonard, one of the city's well known Leonard Brothers merchants. For many years, the brothers operated Leonard's Department Store in downtown Fort Worth. Marty Leonard gave much of her time to the Lena Pope Home and in the late 1980's, her friends raised part of the money to build a chapel on the Lena Pope Home campus, to be named in her honor. By 1990, the rest of the money was raised and the chapel opened. The architect for the chapel was E. Fay Jones, (1921-2004) who earned a reputation for designing chapels and residences set in wooded areas that appeared to rise out and become a part of the forest. Jones studied under Frank Lloyd Wright. The Chapel's primary purpose is to serve the youth and families of Lena Pope Home. A secondary function is to provide a setting for weddings and other community functions. The Chapel contains three levels, including a choir loft, sanctuary and lower level complete with a meeting room, dressing room (or other use), kitchen and office. map property

 

Photo courtesy of: John Roberts, AIA

Tarrant County Courthouse 100 E Weatherford - 1895; restored - 1983 This is one of architectural masterpieces of our city. It serves as the terminus of Main Street and it sits high on the bluff of the Trinity River. It was designed by Gunn and Curtiss Architects of Kansas City and it is a striking example of American Beaux Arts Design. Probst & Co. from Chicago was the General Contractor. It was modeled after the Texas Capitol Building in Austin and uses pink granite. It was one of the first structural steel framed buildings built in the Southwestern United States. The courthouse is 194 feet in height. Over the years, many bad remodel jobs were done, including adding mezzanines, covering up the rotunda in the center, painting the copper dome, outlining the dome in neon, and adding the Civil Courts Building on the west side. The architect that restored the building in 1983 was Ward Bogard. If you look carefully at the building, you will notice some of the windows in the basement have bars over them. These were on the windows of the prisoner holding cells when the building was constructed. The exterior of the building was used in the filming of the CBS television series Walker, Texas Ranger (April 1993-May 2001). map property

 

Photo courtesy of: John Roberts, AIA

Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth 3200 Darnell St. - 2002 The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth is the oldest art museum in Texas. Over the years, it has been housed in various buildings within the city. The newest museum building opened at the intersection of Camp Bowie and University on December 14, 2002. Designed by Tadao Ando, this concrete and glass museum features dramatic views of the Fort Worth skyline sitting above a reflecting pool. The design of the building features soaring concrete cantilevered roof slabs supported by "Y" shaped columns. Below the roof slabs are curtain walls rising 40 feet that enclose the sculpture galleries. A series of baffled skylights and clerestories allow light into the art galleries. The new museum facility is four times larger than the old one, which was located at Lancaster Ave. and Montgomery St. The old museum has now become the Fort Worth Community Arts Center. This museum building may eventually rival the Kimbell as one of Fort Worth's architectural masterpieces. Kendall-Heaton Associates are the Architect of Record and Linbeck Construction was the contractor. map property

 

Photo courtesy of: Stephen Darrow, AIA

Texas & Pacific Railway Terminal W. Lancaster & Throckmorton - 1931; lobby restoration - 1999 Wyatt C. Hedrick, with Herman P. Koeppe as designer planned this monumental railroad complex on the south end of Downtown. The general contractor was P.O'B. Montgomery of Dallas. The complex consisted of three functions, a railroad passenger terminal, an office building, and a separate warehouse facility. The entire complex was designed in the Zigzag Moderne Style of Art Deco. The building is in my opinion, the best example of Art Deco Architecture present in Fort Worth. The exterior features an eagle in a zigzag motif over the main entry. Even though the exterior is very elaborate, the interior passenger lobby and office building lobbies are even more spectacular. The lobby with its magnificent ceiling has been artfully restored by the architectural/engineering firm of Gideon Toal and the contractor was Beckman Construction Company. Plans were announced to convert the building into a 330 room, rail-themed hotel. However, this project has been scrapped. Revised plans call for conversion of the building into apartments and construction of a new low-rise apartment building to the east of the tower. Commuter rail service started on December 3, 2001, serving as the western terminus of the Trinity Railway Express. map property

 

Photo courtesy of: John Roberts, AIA

Will Rogers Auditorium, Coliseum, & Pioneer Tower 3301 W. Lancaster - 1936 Architect Wyatt C. Hedrick designed the three buildings for the Texas Centennial celebration in 1936 using a mixture of classical revival and moderne styles. Thos. S. Byrne of Fort Worth was the General Contractor. It is also the home of the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show, held each January. The complex features three buildings: an auditorium, a coliseum, and a 208 ft. tower that sits between them. All buildings are constructed with buff-yellow brick. The Auditorium and the Coliseum have almost identical facades that feature a curving facade with six monumental piers. Recessed between the piers are aluminum doors with glass block panels above. Above the porticos of both structures are tile freizes depicting the history and products of Texas. The structural engineer for the project was Herbert M. Hinckley. The Coliseum was the first building designed with arched trusses joining at a ridge in the center. This design allowed the interior to be completely free of columns. Modern domed stadiums are based on the engineering design used here. Between the Auditorium and the Coliseum sits the Pioneer Tower. The tower features a limestone base with a brick shaft. The corners are accentuated with stepped piers and an aluminum cap tops the tower. On the top of each pier is an internally illuminated lantern, with the top of the tower accentuated by a bright beacon. Originally, the shaft of the tower featured a glass block panel on each side that was also internally illuminated. Unfortunately, that has been covered up with corrugated metal siding. These three buildings form the centerpiece of Fort Worth's Cultural District. map property

 

Photo courtesy of: John Roberts, AIA

U.S. Post Office 251 W. Lancaster - 1933 This monumental civic building was designed by Wyatt C. Hedrick and features good architecture with icons of the city. The Texas Limestone structure is a mix of Beaux Arts and Classical styling. The classical columns capitals on the building feature Texas Longhorn and Polled Hereford cattle and the cornice is ornamented with lion heads. The most dramatic space within the Post Office is the lobby, which runs the entire length of the building. Although it was constructed as a part of the Texas and Pacific Railway Complex, Hedrick chose to turn away from the Art Deco Styling of the Passenger Terminal and the Warehouse. The Post Office opened two years after the Texas and Pacific buildings. map property

 

Photo courtesy of: Stephen Darrow, AIA

Flatiron Building 1000 Houston - 1907 This structure, one of the signature buildings of Fort Worth, was designed by Sanguinet & Staats. It was modeled after the Flatiron Building in New York (1902). Our Flatiron Building was one of the first steel framed buildings in Fort Worth and was one of the tallest commercial buildings in North Texas in the early 1900's. Originally designed with 10 stories, three floors were cut from the building due to budgetary constraints. The following is an ironic situation. The man that Fort Worth is named after is buried on a small island of land at the intersection of Broadway and Fifth Avenue at the base of the Flatiron Building in New York City. William Jenkins Worth died shortly before Fort Worth was founded. The building is owned by Dr. George Cravens and his wife and they are working on a $4 million restoration/renovation of the structure. The first phase is their own loft apartment located on the top two floors. On the ground floor, plans call for a bistro or cafe. The remaining floors will have luxury loft apartments. Recently the Park Central Hotel, immediately to the south, was purchased by Dr. Cravens and his wife. They plan to remodel the hotel. The Cravens' recently donated a panther sculpture that was placed in the adjacent Hyde Park. The architect for the restoration is Raymond O'Connor and the contractor is Scott Dennett Construction. map property

 

Photo courtesy of: John Roberts, AIA

Fort Worth Water Gardens Between Houston & Commerce at W. Lancaster - 1974 This park was designed by Phillip Johnson from New York. It was constructed by Thos. S. Byrne General Contractors in Fort Worth. The water park is an oasis in the concrete jungle of the center of town. The park features three pools of water: the aerating pool, the quiet pool, and the active pool with water tumbling down a series of terraces down to a small pit. Recently, the gardens have been modified to allow direct access from the Convention Center expansion. This includes a new north entrance to the park and restoration of the multiple sprays in the aerating pool. Portions of the movie Logan's Run were filmed at the active pool. map property

 

Photo courtesy of: John Roberts, AIA

Thistle Hill 1509 Pennsylvania Ave. - 1904 This is the largest and most impressive Cattle Baron era mansion that is still standing. Sitting at the end of Summit Avenue, this home was designed by Sanguinet & Staats for Electra Waggoner. She lived here with her husband, A.B. Wharton. In 1910, local businessman and cattle baron, Winfield Scott purchased the home from the Whartons. At that time, he renovated the home and the grounds while living one block away at the Scott House. The home is 2 and 1/2 stories with a gambrel roof. Projecting bays on each side of the home use semi-circular elements. The brick home is trimmed in cast stone and the sloped roof is green tile. On the interior, features include a grand staircase and elaborate woodwork. The grounds are fenced with brick walls and ornamental iron. A beautiful carriage house on the rear of the property also remains. map property

 

Photo courtesy of: John Roberts, AIA

Fort Worth Live Stock Exchange 131 E. Exchange Ave. - 1903 The Fort Worth Live Stock Exchange Building was constructed in 1903 as a replacement for an older exchange building at a different location. This building served the Stock Yards area from a central location. It was constructed by the Fort Worth Stock Yards Co. to house their offices along with other live stock commission companies. The building is of the Mission Revival style and is U-shaped in plan. An arcade runs along the front of the building connecting the wings of the "U". Octagonal cupolas and mission styled parapets adorn the roof line. The roof is clad with Spanish tile and the facade is stucco. There is not much known about the construction of this building. The architect is unknown and it is believed to have been built by William Bryce. Although the building does not serve as offices for the cattle companies today, it still is used as an office building. map property

 

Photo courtesy of: John Roberts, AIA

Sinclair Building 512 Main - 1930; restored - 1990 This 16 story building, designed by Wiley G. Clarkson and built by Harry B. Friedman, is one of Fort Worth's finest examples of Art Deco architecture. The building is more specifically of Zigzag Moderne styling and features many ziggurat elements on doorways, windows, and even in the shape of the building. The lobby is an excellent example from this period. At the 14th floor, eagle finials cap the vertical elements of the building's shaft. On top of the 16th floor penthouse, the vertical mullions are capped with alternating height pinnacles. The building is 200 feet high. In 1990, the building was completely restored by Architect Ward Bogard. The upper floors of the building are illuminated at night. In the wonderfully restored Art Deco lobby of the building are display cases with artifacts salvaged from the building along with before and after photographs. A stop in the lobby is well worth your time. Originally, the building was to be named the Dulaney Building after the owner, but before it opened, Sinclair Oil Co. leased 7 floors, and the building was then named after its main tenant. The primary retail tenants on the ground floor today are Picchi Pacchi Italian Restaurant, Tobacco Lane, Shelton Givens Barber Shop, and Subway Sandwiches. map property

 

Photo courtesy of: Stephen Darrow, AIA

First United Methodist Church 800 W. 5th - 1930 This Gothic Revival church was designed by Fort Worth Architect Wiley G. Clarkson. Harry B. Friedman was the General Contractor. Over the years, major additions have been made to the original church building. Hahnfeld Associates of Fort Worth have been the architects on these additions. map property

 

Photo courtesy of: John Roberts, AIA

Ball-Eddleman-McFarland House 1110 Penn Street - 1899 This home was built in 1899 on the high bluff overlooking the Trinity River. It was part of a neighborhood known as Quality Hill which featured large Victorian homes, owned mainly by Fort Worth's Cattle Baron Families. Only a small number of these homes remain today. The home was originally designed for Sarah Ball by Howard Messer of the firm Messer, Sanguinet, & Messer. William Eddleman purchased the house in 1904 shortly after Mrs. Ball passed away. Mr. Eddleman founded the Western National Bank in 1906 and it failed in 1913 (See Houston Place Lofts.) Eddleman's daughter, Carrie McFarland, lived in the home until her death in 1978 at the age of 99. In 1979, the home was purchased by the Junior League of Fort Worth. Historic Fort Worth, Inc. is now the owner of the home. In 2006, the organization also became the owner of Thistle Hill, another Cattle Baron mansion. This Victorian Home displays some Queen Anne styling with brick, sandstone, and marble used on the exterior of the house. The elaborate interior features mahogany and oak mantles, cornices, coffered ceilings, paneling and parquet floors. The home is situated on the bluff overlooking the Trinity River. Tours are available of this home. The price is $2.50 for adults. map property

 

Photo courtesy of: Gideon Toal, Inc

Casa Mañana 3101 W. Lancaster - 1958 The building, designed by A. George King, features an aluminum geodesic dome designed by Henry Kaiser and Richard Buckminster Fuller. It was the second building built in the U.S. with a Kaiser dome. Because of the roundness of the dome, the configuration of the facility was for "theater in the round". This concept was changed in 2003 by a major renovation project to become a more traditional theater setting. The renovation provided a modified thrust stage, a new lobby, and new restroom facilities. Casa Mañana is located on the original site of the theater which held outdoor productions starting in 1936 with the Texas Centennial held on the Cultural District grounds. Architects for the renovation and addition were Gideon Toal of Fort Worth. map property

 

Photo courtesy of: John Roberts, AIA

Knights of Pythias Castle Hall 315 Main - 1901; restored - 1981 This replica of a medieval civic building is one of the architectural jewels of Sundance Square. It was designed by Sanguinet & Staats and built by William Bryce. Bryce served as Mayor of Fort Worth. The first Knights of Pythias Castle Hall ever built was constructed on this site in 1881, and it burned in 1901. Later that year, the building was rebuilt from the ruins and the design was altered somewhat by the addition of the gabled roof and the turret on the corner. The building was also the site of the first offset printing press and the first washeteria. In 1981, when the building was restored, a replica of the original knight (cast in 1882) was placed on the building. Thomas E. Woodward & Associates were the architects and Thos. S. Byrne was the contractor for the restoration. The principal tenant is Haltom's Jewelers. map property

 

Photo courtesy of: John Roberts, AIA

RadioShack Riverfront Campus 300 RadioShack Circle - 2004/2005 RadioShack constructed their new 38 acre corporate campus on the site of the old Ripley Arnold Housing Project and their old surface parking lot located at the junction of the West and Clear Forks of the Trinity River. The campus features three six story buildings, a commons building, a flagship RadioShack store and a multi-level parking garage to accommodate all employees and guests. The layout of the site plan offers the employees views of the river and has inviting public gardens and landscaping. Each building is named after something associated with the Trinity River and all of the buildings are connected by a curving circulation spine. The three office buildings are named the East Fork, Clear Fork, and the West Fork. The commons building is called the Trinity Building, and the flagship store has been branded as Store One. Store One was the last portion of the campus that was completed and it opened on May 20, 2005. The most notable feature of the campus is the curving fountain between Store One and the main entrance. This curving fountain starts out at grade near the corner of Belknap and Taylor and stays at a level elevation. As the grade steps down toward the main entrance, water flows over the west wall of the fountain. A walkway passes beneath the water wall and the fountain. At night, the fountain is illuminated by multi-colored LED fixtures that are controlled by computer, offering an ever changing light and water show. map property

 

© Copyright 1974 W. Mark Gunderson, AIA

Anne Bass Residence Address withheld at request of owner In 1970 Sid Bass and his wife Anne ( both just 28 years old ) decided to construct a new residence in the Westover Hills area of Fort Worth. Their respect for Rudolph’s work led them to commission what is arguably his finest residence.The three-story structure - actually 12 levels with 14 different ceiling heights - is sited within rigorous and verdant landscaping composed by Anne Bass, who consulted with Robert Zion and the world-renowned Russell Page.The terracing and engagement with the site result in an almost geological stratification and planarity. This formal complexity and tectonic which seems to marry both Wright’s Fallingwater and Mies’ Farnsworth House is certainly the most polished of Rudolphs constructed efforts. The ‘spatial thrusts’ and ‘pinwheels’ which fascinated the architect are rendered in elegant precision.The house includes a 40-foot steel cantilever among many, and the primary materials are white enameled structural steel sections with white porcelain-enameled aluminum infill panels and clear glazing. Its meticulous interiors exhibit the owners rarified sensibility and concerns for art and natural light. Text courtesy of W. Mark Gunderson, AIA

 

Photo courtesy of: John Roberts, AIA

Amon Carter Museum 3501 Camp Bowie Blvd. - 1961, 2001 In 1961, Philip Johnson designed this small museum to overlook a landscaped terrace that framed a picturesque view of the Fort Worth Skyline. The east elevation features five segmental arches with tapered columns. Behind the arches is an aluminum curtain wall that houses the main museum gallery. The sides of the original building are clad in shellstone. Thos. S. Byrne of Fort Worth was the General Contractor for the original museum structure. Additions to the building, also designed by Johnson were made in 1964 and in 1977. These additions expanded the building back to the corner of Montgomery, Camp Bowie, and Lancaster. By the late 1990's, the building was in need of more space. The solution was to demolish all of the building's additions and then build an even larger addition. This expansion opened in 2001 and was also designed by Johnson. In contrast to the original building, the addition is clad in dark granite and features a domed central circulation space. The museum houses a collection of American paintings, sculptures, prints, and photographs along with its signature collection of art from Charles Russell and Frederic Remington. map property

 

Photo courtesy of: John Roberts, AIA

Masonic Temple 1100 Henderson - 1931 This Masonic temple, designed by Wiley G. Clarkson sits on a dominant hillside on the southwest end of Downtown Fort Worth. Although the temple is of the Classical Moderne Phase of the Art Deco era, it shows elements of other architectural styles. A grand exterior staircase extends from Henderson Street up to the front door. The building shape itself is a ziggurat form with the top of the ziggurat becoming a greek temple with a flat roof. The columns on this upper portion of the temple are of the ionic order, yet the plan of the building is in the Beaux Arts style. The exterior material is Indiana Limestone. The interior of the temple has remained virtually unchanged over the years. Harry B. Friedman was the General Contractor. map property

 

Photo courtesy of: John Roberts, AIA

Pier 1 Place 100 Pier 1 Place - 2004 On December 11, 2002, Pier 1 Imports unveiled plans for a 20-story, $90 million headquarters facility to be built along the banks of the Trinity River in Fort Worth. Duda Paine Architects, LLP, of Durham, N.C., is the design architect. Pier 1 Imports and Duda Paine’s striking design was created after months of research, taking into consideration optimum use of the riverfront site, which is on the western edge of downtown Fort Worth. The 440,000-square-foot building initially houses almost 900 Pier 1 Home Office associates and is expected to satisfy Pier 1’s space requirements through 2015. The average floor plate size is 23,500 square feet. The building is constructed of glass and gray granite; the base, top and shoulders of the building is be internally illuminated with a soft light, complementing the Fort Worth skyline. The design considers the importance and location of employee amenities, such as open green space with an employee dining area that overlooks terraced gardens leading to the river. Other amenities include an employee fitness center, conference and training facilities, and free, covered parking. The location affords access to the proposed footbridge to Trinity Park and planned light-rail transportation, which will connect downtown to the Cultural District. Pier 1 Place rises 325 above the ground and is Fort Worth's 7th tallest building. Pier 1's employees moved into the building during August 2004 and the lighting ceremony was held on September 15, 2004. The official ribbon cutting and grand opening party did not occur until November 19, 2004. map property

 

Photo courtesy of: Stephen Darrow, AIA

Fort Worth Public Market Building 1400 Henderson - 1930 This building originally served as a market space for local farmers, vendors, and retail businesses. It was developed by John J. Harden of Oklahoma City and was designed by B. Gaylord Noftsger. The main building is rectangular in plan, with towers at three corners. The facade is adorned with tall arched windows and a tile roof. The entrance tower is the most notable feature of the structure, with an ornate recessed entry, trimmed with terra cotta and tall vertical window panels with stained glass. Within the stained glass are panels spelling out "Public Market" that are illuminated from within. A smaller, "L" shaped stall building with simpler detailing, wraps around the main building on the south and west. The market was plagued with economic difficulties and closed in 1941. map property

 

Photo courtesy of: Hahnfeld Hoffer Stanford

Beth-El Congregation 4900 Briarhaven Rd. - 2001 Hahnfeld Hoffer Stanford designed this new synagogue to replace the 1920 Temple Beth-El located at 207 W. Broadway Ave. The organization of the site follows an entry through a series of gates, each leading to a more sacred area, before entering the temple. The sanctuary seats 600 with an overflow seating 150 located in the adjoining chapel. The building also has an education wing with classrooms and a wing with a meeting hall and kitchen. map property

 

Photo courtesy of: Stephen Darrow, AIA

Burk Burnett Building 500 Main - 1914; restored 1980, 1984 Located in Sundance Square, the building was designed by Sanguinet & Staats and was the city's first true skyscraper. The building is neoclassical in design and it was originally built as the home of the State National Bank. The base of the building is white terra cotta with granite columns on the Main Street facade. The middle of the building is red brick with a terra cotta band string course separating each floor. The top of the building is again white terra cotta with an elaborate cornice. Because it was the tallest building in the city when it was built, the ornamentation continues on the sides of the building that face away from the street. However, the ornamentation is with a different color of brick instead of terra cotta. Buchanan and Miller were the General Contractors. This was the third building designed by Sanguinet & Staats of similar appearance. The Amicable Life Insurance Co. (ALICO) Building in Waco is 22 stories and has a different color scheme. It opened in 1911. The Rand Building in San Antonio is only eight stories, and opened in 1913, but is an almost exact duplicate of the Burk Burnett. The old bank lobby was restored in 1984 and has housed a number of retail shops and services since the restoration. Worthington National Bank is the current ground floor tenant. Offices are located in the remainder of the building. The Texas-New Mexico Office of the National Trust for Historic Preservation is also located here. map property

 

Photo courtesy of: John Roberts, AIA

Central Fire Station No. 2 1000 Cherry Street - 1930 Herman Paul Koeppe of Wyatt C. Hedrick's office designed this facility which is actually two separate buildings. The larger building is the station itself, and the smaller building is a Fire Alarm Signal Station. These buildings are good examples of the Zigzag Moderne Style of the Art Deco era. One notable feature of the building is a 70 foot high siren tower located to the rear of the Fire Station. The tower looks like a miniature version of the Will Rogers Pioneer Tower, designed by Koeppe a few years later. As with many Zigzag Moderne buildings, the fire station uses ornate brick work to carry out the design. The building is still used by the Fort Worth Fire Department as the Central Station. The Alarm Signal Station also houses the Code Enforcement Division for the City of Fort Worth. R.F. Ball was the General Contractor for the building. map property

 

Photo courtesy of: JBM Builders

Lasater Residence Address withheld at request of owner Located on a heavily wooded site, this home takes advantage of the natural characteristics of the site. The site was broken into a series of "streets" with courtyards and open spaces defined by walls of native limestone. The streets follow a open-air descent to the native landscape at the lower end of the site. Bisecting the site with the residence created two distinctively different gardens: a shade garden with the large trees and native vegetation and a garden of soft grasses that overlooks the river valley. Text courtesy of Lake Flato Architects, Inc.

 

Photo courtesy of: John Roberts, AIA

Montgomery Ward Retail Store & Warehouse 2600 W. 7th - 1928; 1936; 1937; 1940; 1957; 1961; 1963 In 1928, Montgomery Ward located their regional retail and mail order warehouse to this location on West 7th Street, just across the Trinity River from Downtown Fort Worth. This was one of nine regional centers constructed in the U.S. between 1926 and 1929. Since 1921, they had been previously occupying an old Chevrolet Assembly Plan (now demolished) across the street. The General Contractor for the massive structure was Thos. S. Byrne of Fort Worth. In 1937, the building was nearly doubled in size by expanding northward. The eight story, "U" shaped warehouse structure, constructed of reinforced concrete, originally featured a segmental arched arcade on the first floor that was replicated on the seventh floor. A central projecting portico with a Missionesque parapet marked the main entrance on 7th Street. The eighth floor has arched windows with balconies on the front facade only. The remainder of the floors feature large square openings with metal windows. The stairwells in the structure are accentuated on the corners and in the center of the south facade with smaller windows and Missionesque parpets. The overall design of the warehouse is Mission Revival. A smaller automobile service station building was constructed on the corner of the site with the same Mission Revival style of architecture in 1936. In 1937, an eight story addition was constructed at the rear of the east wing of the building, and a connecting corridor was constructed across the rear of the original structure. In 1940, another addition expanded the east wing, but was only constructed three stories. However, this wing was designed to have five more floors added at a future ate. In 1949, the building was inundated with flood waters to the second floor from the Trinity River. In 1957 and in 1962, additions were made to the service station. In 1961, a large distribution center was constructed on the rear of the property. This facility was one story and was attached to the main structure. In 1963, a two story wing on the west side was constructed and the store was remodeled. All of the first floor arcade was covered over and replaced with blue tile and glazed brick. At the same time, two large neon signs were erected on the roof of the building. Ornate light fixtures that were once located on the entrance of the building are now located at the entrance to the Botanic Gardens on University Drive. In March 0f 2000, the Distribution Center building took a direct hit from a tornado, killing one person on the site. In early 2001, Montgomery Ward went out of business, closing this store and leaving the property vacant. Weber & Co. purchased the property, and demolished the distribution center in the rear of the property, and built a Super Target on the distribution center site. The smaller auto service station was also demolished. Ground was broken for the project on July 29, 2004 and the new name for the overall project is Montgomery Plaza. The 1928 store/warehouse is slated for loft apartments and specialty retail. A 6 story hole was carved out thru the center of the building to serve as the main drive to the center behind. The Super Target opened on October 5, 2005. The retail renovations on the ground floor of the 1928 store/warehouse are slated to open in early 2006, with the opening of the apartments scheduled for later in the year. map property

 

Photo courtesy of: Stephen Darrow, AIA

Greenwood Mausoleum 3100 White Settlement Road - 1961 The client was John Bailey. Charles R. Adams, AIA was the Design Architect for the project, working for the firm of Harwell Hamilton Harris. (HHH had an office in Fort Worth at that time.) The first portion, which these two firms worked on, was completed in June, 1961. Charles Adams, AIA continued to work on the project through 1964. Don W. Kirk, FAIA took over the project and continued with addition of the second portion, which was completed in 1971. Gideon Toal worked on the addition of the third portion of the complex, Independence Chapel, which was completed in 1999. The Mausoleum received an Award of Honor from The Texas Society of Architects in 1961. In1965, AIA Fort Worth’s Committee on Aesthetics gave the Mausoleum an award as one of six examples of ‘good design’ in Fort Worth. Text courtesy of Jason Adams, Associate AIA map property

Special thanks to John Roberts and www.fortwortharchitecture.com for all the assistance in compiling these photos and descriptions.