18 replies to this topic

[John T Roberts]

The recent postings on the Stryker photo of the Transport Life Building stirred me to post these photos that I took of the Aviation Building in 1978, shortly before it was demolished. Fort Worth Architect Wyatt C. Hedrick designed this 16 story building in the Zig Zag Moderne Art Deco style. It featured a beautiful lobby and a beautiful entrance that featured gold eagles and Aztec Indians. Also at the entrance was an aluminum grille that featured Aztec and Mayan Indian symbols and images. The same theme continued into the lobby of the building. The base and top of the building were each 3 stories high. Between the 13th and 14th floors, prow shaped lighting fixtures illuminated the upper three floors at night on the 7th and Main Street facades of the building. Southern Air Transport, a forerunner to American Airlines was one of the original tenants of the building. After the 1930's the building was sold and became home to several insurance companies. The building was also known as the Commercial Standard Insurance Building and the Trans American Life Building. Trans American was the last owner of the structure and they erected a 7 story neon sign on the 7th & Main corner. They also installed a large multi story sign on the east side of the building, covering almost all of that facade. The building was purchased in 1978 by the Continental National Bank for purposes of building their new home at this location. Continental Plaza (now Carter+Burgess Plaza) opened on this site in 1982.

Top of building:


Detail above entry:


7 Story Neon Sign at 7th & Main:

[Fort Worthology]

Thanks, John. Good grief, what a gorgeous building, even there at the end of its life. I really wish it was still with us.

The loss of the Aviation Building and the Medical Arts Building are, to me, the two biggest losses in downtown Fort Worth in the last 50 years. I guess that's progress, but I would argue that in these two cases, it was more a case of "progress" in name only.

Wish I could find more pics of the Medical Arts Building showing close details like these. Seems like there's not many of them around, though.

[fragile]

The loss of the Aviation Building and the Medical Arts Building are, to me, the two biggest losses in downtown Fort Worth in the last 50 years. I guess that's progress, but I would argue that in these two cases, it was more a case of "progress" in name only.

Wish I could find more pics of the Medical Arts Building showing close details like these. Seems like there's not many of them around, though.

Interestingly, I was about to lament over the Medical Arts last night in the other thread but I thought we had sunk low enough over the Aviation Building so I said nothing! We share the "progress" opinion as well actually...

I think it's because of what you said here about there not being a whole lot of images, especially detail, relating to the Medical Arts that it is far and away my favorite of the buildings of Fort Worth.

This one is so beautiful though...how the deco "aged" as it got older only added to it's character...

=(

[texastrill]

I really like that entrance.If only FW could build a newer version of this building.One that would rival Heritage Plaza in Houston.

[Fort Worthology]

Interestingly, I was about to lament over the Medical Arts last night in the other thread but I thought we had sunk low enough over the Aviation Building so I said nothing! We share the "progress" opinion as well actually...

I think it's because of what you said here about there not being a whole lot of images, especially detail, relating to the Medical Arts that it is far and away my favorite of the buildings of Fort Worth.

This one is so beautiful though...how the deco "aged" as it got older only added to it's character...

=(

I would give a kidney for some great, thorough shots of the MA Building. Ever since I first saw a photo of it, years back, it has been my favorite Fort Worth building, ever.

My grandmother worked at a pharmacy in the Medical Arts building back in the day. She often picked up orders from Alcon, who was across Burnett Park in the ground floor curved corner of the Neil P. back then (how far they've come, huh?). She said the Medical Arts Building had a gorgeous interior, too.

[mbdalton1]

Man, you just don't get great detail like that on buildings these days. Such a shame that it was demolished!!!

I'm getting too sentimental in my old age!! LOL!!

mary bess

[fragile]

I would give a kidney for some great, thorough shots of the MA Building. Ever since I first saw a photo of it, years back, it has been my favorite Fort Worth building, ever.

My grandmother worked at a pharmacy in the Medical Arts building back in the day. She often picked up orders from Alcon, who was across Burnett Park in the ground floor curved corner of the Neil P. back then (how far they've come, huh?). She said the Medical Arts Building had a gorgeous interior, too.

Its stand-alone beauty and the green roof sold me as well. That's amazing though - your grandmother worked there? She was just a few blocks over from where my grandmother worked at The Fair! I envy you, getting to hear Medical Arts stories from one who actually worked there. I only got to hear about the elevator and my mom having her tonsils removed there. And I can imagine it having a gorgeous interior...

Like you, I can't imagine there not being decent shots of the exterior...so I keep looking! I did just find a 1930 City of FW Progress Report but haven't had the chance to dig through it yet...if I come across any, you get the first PM...

[Dismuke]

Man, you just don't get great detail like that on buildings these days.

Heck, you don't get any detail on buildings these days - unless they are trying to look "retro."

Such a shame that it was demolished!!!

I'm getting too sentimental in my old age!!

No - it just means that you have good taste, which is timeless. It is those who were and are responsible for the sanitized blandness and lack of good taste in architecture and aesthetics in general since at least the 1960s who have the explaining to do.

[JBB]

Good to see you posting here again, Dismuke.

[Fort Worthology]

Yes, good to have you back, Dismuke.

[Dismuke]

Gee - thanks so much!

[John T Roberts]

It's always nice to have you posting here. Don't go away for so long next time.

[John T Roberts]

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram has an article in today's paper about the missing Aztec Princes, which were adjacent to the entrance. Back in 1978, several AIA members removed the sculptures for preservation, but when they were carted away, no one seems to know what happened to them. I contributed to this article with my photograph of the entrance on the building.

Here's the link to the story: http://www.star-tele...ory/180083.html

[John T Roberts]

At the Texas & Pacific Railway Terminal is a display that was once placed in the open air concourse, but is now inside the resident's lounge.  This display is on Wyatt C. Hedrick's work.  My photograph above of the Aztec Warriors guarding the entrance of the Aviation Building was used in the display.  On the Downtown Tour, we talked a little bit about the history of the removal of the important decoration on the building and it going into storage, then disappearing.  Here's one bit of trivia.  The architect that restored the Texas & Pacific Railway Terminal Main Waiting Room and Public Areas also was a part of the team from the American Institute of Architects that removed the decorated parts of the Aviation Building in order to save them.  His name is Bob Adams and he is still alive and living here in Fort Worth. 

[Stadtplan]

[Austin55]

Interesting that the Eastland hotel was Hedrick.

[John T Roberts]

Hedrick's office designed buildings all over Texas.  I think just about every major city has one of his buildings.  I would have to look up all of the towns where his firm designed projects.

[Stadtplan]

This is worth checking out: The Sterick Building in Memphis. (R.E. Sterling + Wyatt Hedrick = Sterick)

https://www.loveprop...-secret-service

[John T Roberts]

I was aware that Wyatt Hedrick was the architect for the Sterick Building in Memphis.  I almost mentioned it in my post from yesterday, but Memphis is quite some distance away, and I wasn't sure how many people were familiar with the city or the building.  I will admit that I have actually visited Memphis only once, but have passed through the city while traveling on the road several times.