DT: Wagner Oil (7 ST/2008); Mexican Inn Demolished
#1
Posted 21 November 2005 - 11:03 PM
Anyone have more info? I bet the Star-Telegram will put out a longer story tomorrow, but here's the link to the story they have on the site right now:
http://www.dfw.com/m...ss/13225886.htm
#2
Posted 21 November 2005 - 11:25 PM
Several local news stations mentioned the downtown Mexican Inn would be closing, vaguely mentioning that a developer bought it. My question is...what do they plan to do with the property? Isn't the Clarion (soon-to-be Hotel Indigo) due north of the MI? Could the Mexican Inn property somehow be tied into the renovation?
Without looking I could swear that the Mexican Inn is to the north of the Clarion / Indigo.
#3
Posted 22 November 2005 - 06:34 AM
The Mexican Inn is in the old Fort Worth Record Building, which was built in the late 1800's as a three story building. Mexican Inn was a ground floor tenant since 1936. The structure burned at least twice in its history. The first major fire was in the late 1950's or early 1960's when the building was nearly leveled. It was rebuilt at that time as a one story building, using the same window openings of the original building. In 1987, another major fire almost totally destroyed what was left of the original structure. It was rebuilt again, looking as it does now.
#4
Posted 22 November 2005 - 09:12 AM
#5
Posted 22 November 2005 - 10:43 AM
Without looking I could swear that the Mexican Inn is to the north of the Clarion / Indigo.
Ah, of course, sorry about that. I mistook the GAINSCO building for the Clarion.
I hope whatever Wagner decides to build has ground floor retail...
#6
Posted 22 November 2005 - 11:07 AM
I've always wondered how they could afford to keep that location open when it only served lunch.
No kidding. Would love to have another Mexican Inn location downtown somewhere. And while we're on the topic, could we get a Spring Creek BBQ in Ft. Worth (Spring Creek owns Mexican Inn).
There's a cruddy Spring Creek in an old Pancho's building on Camp Bowie West... and there's one in Burleson... but wouldn't that be nice to have closer to town? I mean, I love Railhead and Angelo's... but there's no beating those hot, fresh rolls!
#7
Posted 23 November 2005 - 02:46 AM
Funny. That was the same story I got from a friend who called the writer.
The one place survived only due to the numerous other MI's Mr. C owned. People I know who live and work in downtown have either tried it and hated it, or have never tried it because of the hours.
For me, MI was SIMPLE at BEST.
www.iheartfw.com
#8
Posted 23 November 2005 - 07:00 AM
I've always wondered how they could afford to keep that location open when it only served lunch.
No kidding. Would love to have another Mexican Inn location downtown somewhere. And while we're on the topic, could we get a Spring Creek BBQ in Ft. Worth (Spring Creek owns Mexican Inn).
There's a cruddy Spring Creek in an old Pancho's building on Camp Bowie West... and there's one in Burleson... but wouldn't that be nice to have closer to town? I mean, I love Railhead and Angelo's... but there's no beating those hot, fresh rolls!
They own a G-R-E-A-T place in north FW near the 820 @ 35W (Fossil Creek) area called Shady Oaks BBQ. It is awesome. I think there is a second location in Plano too. It is hidden along the Chili's, Posados, On the border area...
#9
Posted 23 November 2005 - 08:06 AM
#10
Posted 23 November 2005 - 08:17 AM
#11
Posted 23 November 2005 - 09:57 AM
#12
Posted 23 November 2005 - 10:33 AM
I've always wondered how they could afford to keep that location open when it only served lunch.
No kidding. Would love to have another Mexican Inn location downtown somewhere. And while we're on the topic, could we get a Spring Creek BBQ in Ft. Worth (Spring Creek owns Mexican Inn).
There's a cruddy Spring Creek in an old Pancho's building on Camp Bowie West... and there's one in Burleson... but wouldn't that be nice to have closer to town? I mean, I love Railhead and Angelo's... but there's no beating those hot, fresh rolls!
They own a G-R-E-A-T place in north FW near the 820 @ 35W (Fossil Creek) area called Shady Oaks BBQ. It is awesome. I think there is a second location in Plano too. It is hidden along the Chili's, Posados, On the border area...
SHADY OAKS is FANTASTIC! I have only been once, but it did the trick. Just might stop on over there before driving down to SA.
Have a SAFE and HAPPY TURKEY DAY Forumers!
www.iheartfw.com
#13
Posted 23 November 2005 - 11:48 AM
They own a G-R-E-A-T place in north FW near the 820 @ 35W (Fossil Creek) area called Shady Oaks BBQ. It is awesome. I think there is a second location in Plano too. It is hidden along the Chili's, Posados, On the border area...
SHADY OAKS is FANTASTIC! I have only been once, but it did the trick. Just might stop on over there before driving down to SA.
Have a SAFE and HAPPY TURKEY DAY Forumers!
Hi, I am Doug, I am new to posting on the forum, but have been lurking for awhile. I am also a very amatuer photographer, so some of the pictures here intrest me. I have been living in FW for 5 years now, originally from South Florida.
Just had to chime in on this post.
Ill have to 3rd the suggestion that Shady Oaks(35&820) is great. Plus I live practically next door to it.
I have also seen a Shady Oak setup on I-30 right near the The Ballpark at Arlington(dont like the new name). It was built within the last 2-3 years though. Have not eaten at that location, or the Plano location though.
There is another Spring Creek just west of LMAero on Clifford, pretty sure its in the White Settlements city limits though.
#14
Posted 23 November 2005 - 02:47 PM
They own a G-R-E-A-T place in north FW near the 820 @ 35W (Fossil Creek) area called Shady Oaks BBQ. It is awesome. I think there is a second location in Plano too. It is hidden along the Chili's, Posados, On the border area...
SHADY OAKS is FANTASTIC! I have only been once, but it did the trick. Just might stop on over there before driving down to SA.
Have a SAFE and HAPPY TURKEY DAY Forumers!
Hi, I am Doug, I am new to posting on the forum, but have been lurking for awhile. I am also a very amatuer photographer, so some of the pictures here intrest me. I have been living in FW for 5 years now, originally from South Florida.
Just had to chime in on this post.
Ill have to 3rd the suggestion that Shady Oaks(35&820) is great. Plus I live practically next door to it.
I have also seen a Shady Oak setup on I-30 right near the The Ballpark at Arlington(dont like the new name). It was built within the last 2-3 years though. Have not eaten at that location, or the Plano location though.
There is another Spring Creek just west of LMAero on Clifford, pretty sure its in the White Settlements city limits though.
Huh ...I thought it was just some generic joint. I live 5 minutes away in NW Funktown.
Thanks for the tip.
#15
Posted 23 November 2005 - 03:58 PM
And speller.
a-m-a-t-E-U-r.
www.iheartfw.com
#16
Posted 23 November 2005 - 05:09 PM
#17 ghughes
Posted 23 November 2005 - 07:51 PM
#18
Posted 24 November 2005 - 08:23 AM
Anybody know what building I'm referring to?
Happy Thanksgiving.
Bill
#19
Posted 24 November 2005 - 08:27 AM
#20
Posted 24 November 2005 - 09:02 AM
Thanks for the additional info.
Bill
#21
Posted 24 November 2005 - 04:38 PM
But where was the Shopper? I'm thinking South Main...
#22
Posted 28 November 2005 - 04:25 PM
#23
Posted 29 November 2005 - 08:37 AM
I hope whatever Wagner decides to build has ground floor retail...
I'm not sure it's a great corner for retail. It faces a blank wall of Bass Hall, the ever lovely Clarion Hotel, and is across the corner from a parking garage. There's really nothing facing 5th street once you get past Mikado and the PH (except for the two hotels). It just doesn't seem like a great pedestrian spot. As the Mexican Inn it always seemed a little isolated. You have to walk by the smelly Chili's alley to get to it from the West.
#24
Posted 29 November 2005 - 01:06 PM
Actually, The Clarion is gone and soon to be replaced by the very cool Hotel Indigo.
http://www.ichotelsg.../d/in/1/en/home
#25
Posted 14 August 2006 - 10:17 AM
#26
Posted 14 August 2006 - 01:23 PM
The Mexican Inn next door was torn down? I know it closed but why did they tear it down? Does this have to do with the hotel? I think I saw it there Saturday? But Sunday night I saw a giant crane on top of the rubble and had chomped it down!
Not the only tear down over the weekend..The Freeman's Hotel, 100 East block of Belknap St.. is a pile of rubble too...what is going on here with our historic builidngs?
Keep Fort Worth folksy
#27
Posted 14 August 2006 - 01:52 PM
The Mexican Inn next door was torn down? I know it closed but why did they tear it down? Does this have to do with the hotel? I think I saw it there Saturday? But Sunday night I saw a giant crane on top of the rubble and had chomped it down!
Not the only tear down over the weekend..The Freeman's Hotel, 100 East block of Belknap St.. is a pile of rubble too...what is going on here with our historic builidngs?
Keep Fort Worth folksy
Has Fort Worth lost its mind?
#28
Posted 14 August 2006 - 04:38 PM
Not the only tear down over the weekend..The Freeman's Hotel, 100 East block of Belknap St.. is a pile of rubble too...what is going on here with our historic builidngs?
Keep Fort Worth folksy
Rename, this is what I have been harping about for years on this forum. Both buildings had no designation whatsoever! They weren't even Demolition Delay, which would have held the demolition for 180 days. Also, I have a correction here, the hotel on Belknap was called "Workman's Hotel". It was one of the few cast iron structures left in downtown. I knew it was coming down soon due to the bulldozer sitting next to it and the construction fence surrounding the building on Thursday. I didn't realize the Mexican Inn was coming down so soon, although I thought that would be the fate since Wagner Oil next door purchased the property and the restaurant closed down.
The building adjacent to the Workman's Hotel was also historic, but it had its facade stuccoed over back in the 1960's. I don't know if the original facade was still left behind it or not. It probably was still there (they usually are). These buildings were demolished for the new TCC Campus.
As for the Mexican Inn, one could argue whether it was a historic building worth saving. There is a thread on the building at: http://www.fortworth...wtopic=1168&hl=
Here is what I said then:
There wasn't much left of the original structure, so I don't know if it would have ever qualified for designation as historic under the City of Fort Worth criteria for the building. The history of Mexican Inn and its founder might have made the cut from a history standpoint.
Finally, you asked what is going on. Here are the facts. Development pressures are sending our non-protected historic buildings into the dumpster. The economics that saved most of our older buildings in the city has changed and now there is more need to build new structures and tear down the old ones. You will probably ask what can be done? All of us interested in preserving more of our past must urge our City Council to put more protection on our historic resources.
#29
Posted 14 August 2006 - 04:55 PM
Not the only tear down over the weekend..The Freeman's Hotel, 100 East block of Belknap St.. is a pile of rubble too...what is going on here with our historic builidngs?
Keep Fort Worth folksy
Rename, this is what I have been harping about for years on this forum. Both buildings had no designation whatsoever! They weren't even Demolition Delay, which would have held the demolition for 180 days. Also, I have a correction here, the hotel on Belknap was called "Workman's Hotel". It was one of the few cast iron structures left in downtown. I knew it was coming down soon due to the bulldozer sitting next to it and the construction fence surrounding the building on Thursday. I didn't realize the Mexican Inn was coming down so soon, although I thought that would be the fate since Wagner Oil next door purchased the property and the restaurant closed down.
The building adjacent to the Workman's Hotel was also historic, but it had its facade stuccoed over back in the 1960's. I don't know if the original facade was still left behind it or not. It probably was still there (they usually are). These buildings were demolished for the new TCC Campus.
Are these the same blocks north of Belknap that I mentioned in another thread?
"The three blocks north of Belknap: Pecan to Grove….Grove to Jones…..and Jones to Calhoun will be surface parking lots (approx 300 spaces total) for TCC directly east of the campus. Belknap’s roadway between Calhoun and Commerce will be redeveloped as a bridge passing over two of the TCC buildings and the pedestrian bridge. Bluff St west of Jones will dead-end into a future loading dock for Bldg 8."
#30
Posted 14 August 2006 - 05:49 PM
#31
Posted 14 August 2006 - 11:56 PM
Not the only tear down over the weekend..The Freeman's Hotel, 100 East block of Belknap St.. is a pile of rubble too...what is going on here with our historic builidngs?
Keep Fort Worth folksy
Rename, this is what I have been harping about for years on this forum. Both buildings had no designation whatsoever! They weren't even Demolition Delay, which would have held the demolition for 180 days. Also, I have a correction here, the hotel on Belknap was called "Workman's Hotel". It was one of the few cast iron structures left in downtown. I knew it was coming down soon due to the bulldozer sitting next to it and the construction fence surrounding the building on Thursday. I didn't realize the Mexican Inn was coming down so soon, although I thought that would be the fate since Wagner Oil next door purchased the property and the restaurant closed down.
The building adjacent to the Workman's Hotel was also historic, but it had its facade stuccoed over back in the 1960's. I don't know if the original facade was still left behind it or not. It probably was still there (they usually are). These buildings were demolished for the new TCC Campus.
Are these the same blocks north of Belknap that I mentioned in another thread?
"The three blocks north of Belknap: Pecan to Grove….Grove to Jones…..and Jones to Calhoun will be surface parking lots (approx 300 spaces total) for TCC directly east of the campus. Belknap’s roadway between Calhoun and Commerce will be redeveloped as a bridge passing over two of the TCC buildings and the pedestrian bridge. Bluff St west of Jones will dead-end into a future loading dock for Bldg 8."
Thanks for correction John..I really thought the Workman's Hotel would have made a nice downtown micro hotel; like the Texas Hotel in the Stockyards. My concerns about a downtown TCC campus are not being allayed in light of the downing of the two TXU Smokestacks and now the Workman's Hotel.
#32
Posted 15 August 2006 - 01:03 PM
The block where the Workman's Hotel was demolished is bounded by Bluff, Calhoun, Belknap, and Commerce, so it looks as if one of the TCC buildings will be on this site.
I did't want to mention the smokestack's . I think we know what our position is with most forum members are one way or another. So what do we do now to save what is left?
#33
Posted 16 August 2006 - 06:16 PM
This is from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
http://www.dfw.com/m...ss/15289269.htm
#34
Posted 16 August 2006 - 06:45 PM
#35
Posted 16 August 2006 - 07:56 PM
#36
Posted 17 August 2006 - 10:16 AM
#37
Posted 17 August 2006 - 12:13 PM
Golly the body is not even cold. Already found a new wife and married? I guess not many cared about the tiny building.
I think we should be crying more for the buildings east of the courthouse that are being demolished as we speak.
#38
Posted 17 August 2006 - 12:29 PM
Golly the body is not even cold. Already found a new wife and married? I guess not many cared about the tiny building.
I think we should be crying more for the buildings east of the courthouse that are being demolished as we speak.
True . Maybe we ought to protest and chain ourself to a tree at the Omni ceremony location on monday to save what is left of Cowtown.
#39
Posted 17 August 2006 - 12:43 PM
#41
Posted 17 August 2006 - 01:16 PM
I think we should be crying more for the buildings east of the courthouse that are being demolished as we speak.
It seems like those buildings aren't / weren't in great condition. Are there other remaining buildings in downtown representing the same period and style?
My view or opinion is that we need to preserve some good examples of the architecture of the period. The only reason to preserve bad examples is if they are the only examples left. Some of the remaining structures don't look like great examples of anything other than how not to remodel old buildings.
That said, if John says there are no other buildings from that period and style left standing (what happened over the weekend is already in the past, let's look forward), I'm all for saving them.
Along those lines, I always wonder about the future of the houses between Belknap and Weatherford. There are only a few of them. They're nothing too special, but not too run down either. Any historic significance?
Also, thrilled about the repolacement for Mexican Inn. The two building mentioned in the article are two of my favorites in all of downtown (Flying Saucer and K of P Hall).
#42
Posted 17 August 2006 - 05:23 PM
Prairie Pup said that we should be crying more about the buildings east of the Courthouse. I agree. This whole area is endangered and there is nothing left of the original Courthouse Square except for the facade altered Texas de Brazil, Joe Daiches Jewelers, the facade altered lawyer's building at Commerce and Belknap. The Workman's Hotel next door to Commerce and Belknap was demolished over the weekend and that lawyer's building is next. This leaves the Joe Daiches building as the only Courthouse Square Hotel remaining. Now in Denton probably will ask why the preservationists didn't fight this one. There were two reasons. It was already common knowledge the buildings were going to be taken for the TCC Campus and the second is that the building had no designation. With the smokestacks, the preservationists found out that without the 180 day Demolition Delay designation, the owners speed things up to keep opposition down.
The handful of homes that remain on Belknap and Weatherford could be designated as historic structures. Many of them have been altered, but they are mostly intact and in relatively good condition. There are development pressures in that part of downtown, so some consideration should be given toward saving the homes that are worthy.
#43
Posted 18 August 2006 - 12:21 AM
I found out about this last night, but had to sit on the information until it was released. Wagner Oil cleared the building on Saturday and they plan to construct a 7 story office building on the site.
This is from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
http://www.dfw.com/m...ss/15289269.htm
This is another instance of a spatially challenged development, as is the Carnegie Tower, which together enhances my assumption that XTO can develop something with similar challenges in the remain space of the W.T. Waggoner block. Until these recent announcements were made, I was under the incorrect assumption that new development would require an entire block at minimum. Well, these annoucements gives me greater hope that the development of XTO's square will have enough space to include both a new park and a future tower.
Keep Fort Worth folksy!
#44
Posted 18 August 2006 - 08:13 AM
#45
Posted 18 August 2006 - 09:12 AM
The Carnegie on its smaller block has an advantage over XTO in that they are planning to tie into the existing parking structure for The Tower. XTO could build on a small plot, but they still have to find a place for the occupants to park.
How about a sky bridge over to their parking garage?
Just kidding.
I hate those things.
#46
Posted 18 August 2006 - 09:37 AM
The Carnegie on its smaller block has an advantage over XTO in that they are planning to tie into the existing parking structure for The Tower. XTO could build on a small plot, but they still have to find a place for the occupants to park.
The park could sit atop an underground executive parking structure/plaza with tunnelling to the two existing garages that are already owned by XTO.
Keep Fort Worth folksy!
#47
Posted 18 August 2006 - 12:06 PM
#48
Posted 18 August 2006 - 05:43 PM
#49
Posted 19 August 2006 - 11:19 AM
Now in Denton probably will ask why the preservationists didn't fight this one. There were two reasons. It was already common knowledge the buildings were going to be taken for the TCC Campus and the second is that the building had no designation. With the smokestacks, the preservationists found out that without the 180 day Demolition Delay designation, the owners speed things up to keep opposition down.
Your right Mr. Roberts . I have come somwhat over to your side about the smokestacks. I still don't miss them however. But I do get made when developers ram thier way to get thier way. They need to follow our rules. But lets remember Bass even saved the old Fire house. Next to thier towers.Historic Buildings can be saved !
#50
Posted 19 August 2006 - 06:28 PM
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