Jump to content


Photo
* * * * * 2 votes

First National Bank/Baker/Bob R. Simpson Building Redevelopment

Downtown

  • Please log in to reply
145 replies to this topic

#101 John T Roberts

John T Roberts

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 16,367 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:South Fort Worth
  • Interests:Architecture, Photography, Bicycling, Historic Preservation

Posted 30 October 2005 - 07:49 PM

I was downtown this evening and noticed the Baker Building was all lit up! This is how the building looks illuminated. I noticed the corner clock was installed yesterday.

Overall Base:
IPB Image

Corner of 7th and Houston:
IPB Image

#102 1963Parade_of_Homes

1963Parade_of_Homes

    Junior Member

  • Members
  • PipPip
  • 36 posts

Posted 30 October 2005 - 09:58 PM

I drove by yesterday during the day and my mouth dropped open. It looks beautiful.

Would they be interested in doing Thistle Hill?

-Jim smile.gif

#103 JBB

JBB

    Skyscraper Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 7,421 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Dirty suburbs

Posted 30 October 2005 - 10:12 PM

I wondered what they were doing on the corner. I really dig the clock.

#104 John T Roberts

John T Roberts

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 16,367 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:South Fort Worth
  • Interests:Architecture, Photography, Bicycling, Historic Preservation

Posted 30 October 2005 - 10:32 PM

I think Thistle Hill is in good hands with Historic Fort Worth.

JBB, that is the original clock placed on the building with the 1926 addition. I think we discussed it earlier in this thread. In the old photograph, you can definitely see it.

#105 John T Roberts

John T Roberts

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 16,367 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:South Fort Worth
  • Interests:Architecture, Photography, Bicycling, Historic Preservation

Posted 04 November 2005 - 06:30 AM

The building was rededicated yesterday as the "Bob R. Simpson Building". A dedication ceremony was held there late yesterday afternoon. Here's the Fort Worth Star-Telegram article about the restoration and the renaming:

http://www.dfw.com/m...ss/13079991.htm

#106 John T Roberts

John T Roberts

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 16,367 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:South Fort Worth
  • Interests:Architecture, Photography, Bicycling, Historic Preservation

Posted 05 November 2005 - 07:31 AM

What do you think about the name change?

#107 Sam Stone

Sam Stone

    Skyscraper Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,036 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Overton, then Monticello, now expat in OC, CA

Posted 05 November 2005 - 01:39 PM

I'm not so much for renaming buildings, but more than anyone else downtown, they earned it.

#108 gdvanc

gdvanc
  • Guests

Posted 07 November 2005 - 10:58 PM

Love what they've done to it (judging by the pictures). Love the clock.

I don't care at all what they call it. Buildings often change names with new ownership (or tenants?). Heck, wasn't this building over half a century old when its name was changed to the Baker Building?

#109 John T Roberts

John T Roberts

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 16,367 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:South Fort Worth
  • Interests:Architecture, Photography, Bicycling, Historic Preservation

Posted 08 November 2005 - 08:31 PM

The building was 57 years old when it was renamed the Baker Building. It proabably was good that they did rename it in 1967, because the First National Bank moved down to 500 W. 7th and was then known as the First National Bank Building.

#110 gdvanc

gdvanc
  • Guests

Posted 08 November 2005 - 09:15 PM

I was just thinking... wasn't it Baker that put the concrete panels on it just after he bought it? Undo the panels and undo the name; sounds good to me.

#111 John T Roberts

John T Roberts

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 16,367 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:South Fort Worth
  • Interests:Architecture, Photography, Bicycling, Historic Preservation

Posted 08 November 2005 - 09:23 PM

QUOTE(gdvanc @ Nov 8 2005, 09:15 PM) View Post

I was just thinking... wasn't it Baker that put the concrete panels on it just after he bought it? Undo the panels and undo the name; sounds good to me.


That is correct.

#112 JBB

JBB

    Skyscraper Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 7,421 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Dirty suburbs

Posted 08 January 2007 - 09:36 AM

Does anyone know why the Simpson (Baker) building continues to be surrounded by scaffolding? It doesn't appear as if there are very many work platforms on it, just the support assembly. It's pretty unsightly.

#113 John T Roberts

John T Roberts

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 16,367 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:South Fort Worth
  • Interests:Architecture, Photography, Bicycling, Historic Preservation

Posted 10 January 2007 - 06:17 PM

They found that the ornate terra cotta cornice needed to be repaired. The only way the underneath side could be repaired was from below, so they had to erect the scaffolding.

#114 JBB

JBB

    Skyscraper Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 7,421 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Dirty suburbs

Posted 10 January 2007 - 08:03 PM

Thanks! Any word on how long it will take? It seems like the scaffolding has been up since the Landmark implosion.

#115 John T Roberts

John T Roberts

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 16,367 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:South Fort Worth
  • Interests:Architecture, Photography, Bicycling, Historic Preservation

Posted 10 January 2007 - 08:43 PM

I really don't know how long it will take. I do know that the cornice is very intricate and I'm sure the repair work is painstaking.

#116 jmilam

jmilam

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 99 posts

Posted 08 February 2007 - 04:27 PM

Nice shots John. Did you have to use a long exposure and tripod? Really clear and great framing...

#117 John T Roberts

John T Roberts

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 16,367 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:South Fort Worth
  • Interests:Architecture, Photography, Bicycling, Historic Preservation

Posted 09 February 2007 - 08:23 PM

Yes, I think the exposure was about 1 second and I did use a tripod. Every time that I try hand held shots at night, the photographs do not meet my requirements. Thanks for the comments, as those pics were taken more than one year ago.

#118 bhudson

bhudson

    Senior Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPip
  • 230 posts
  • Gender:Male

Posted 21 November 2007 - 12:20 PM

It looks like the repairs are done. A new copper roof is installed over the ledge and the scaffolding is coming down.

#119 Brian Luenser

Brian Luenser

    Skyscraper Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 3,083 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Downtown Fort Worth

Posted 02 May 2008 - 02:00 PM

I sure like the Bob Simpson building these days. Class act again from XTO.

Late evening pic of 7th Street from Sunday.



www.fortworthview.com

#120 Brian Luenser

Brian Luenser

    Skyscraper Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 3,083 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Downtown Fort Worth

Posted 13 May 2008 - 08:58 PM

1940 First National Bank.


And check it out... before our employee's surfed porn all day they didn't need office dividers!


www.fortworthview.com

#121 Brian Luenser

Brian Luenser

    Skyscraper Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 3,083 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Downtown Fort Worth

Posted 12 February 2009 - 10:21 PM

Taking pictures of the new lights on Houston and Throckmorton Streets. (Tripod and 10-22mm)


www.fortworthview.com

#122 Austin55

Austin55

    Skyscraper Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 9,657 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Near Southside

Posted 19 August 2016 - 07:48 AM

I've noticed the clock has been missing for the past few weeks. Perhaps it's being restored? Anyone know?



#123 John T Roberts

John T Roberts

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 16,367 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:South Fort Worth
  • Interests:Architecture, Photography, Bicycling, Historic Preservation

Posted 19 August 2016 - 11:02 AM

Again?  The clock was down for a while within the last year or so.  I guess they are doing more work on it.  You have to remember that it sat in the basement of the Bank of America Parking Garage from 1961 until 2005.



#124 Austin55

Austin55

    Skyscraper Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 9,657 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Near Southside

Posted 19 August 2016 - 11:16 AM

Now that I think about it, I don't believe it was working the last time I saw it when it was up. I'm not sure when it came down. 



#125 Austin55

Austin55

    Skyscraper Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 9,657 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Near Southside

Posted 11 September 2016 - 01:05 PM

Clock is back where it belongs.

#126 John T Roberts

John T Roberts

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 16,367 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:South Fort Worth
  • Interests:Architecture, Photography, Bicycling, Historic Preservation

Posted 11 September 2016 - 01:36 PM

It appears that they have to remove it temporarily to repair it.



#127 John T Roberts

John T Roberts

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 16,367 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:South Fort Worth
  • Interests:Architecture, Photography, Bicycling, Historic Preservation

Posted 15 March 2019 - 02:27 PM

It's amazing to me how much that I don't remember when I was a kid.  I was incorrect about the storage of the clock on the corner of the building after the bank relocated.  For a while, after the new bank building was built, the clock was actually installed on the corner of the parking garage.  It was later removed and placed into the basement of that structure.  I discovered this by searching through the First National Bank's Record Collection located on the Fort Worth Public Library's website.  I'm including a link to the photograph so you can see that the clock was located on the parking garage after the new building was built.  Also, the photograph shows the original signage on the parking garage.  There was another one that matched this on the east side along Lamar Street.

 

http://www.fortworth...0/id/153/rec/66



#128 Austin55

Austin55

    Skyscraper Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 9,657 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Near Southside

Posted 17 February 2022 - 10:54 AM

Latest I've heard is that The Baker Building (formerly Bob R. Simpson) is being scouted heavily by hotel developers. It's currently for sale for $12.5m.



#129 John T Roberts

John T Roberts

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 16,367 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:South Fort Worth
  • Interests:Architecture, Photography, Bicycling, Historic Preservation

Posted 17 February 2022 - 12:09 PM

So, it looks like they reverted the name back to Baker Building to remove all of XTO's presence in Fort Worth?

 

I think it is interesting that hotel developers are scouting this building.  My reasoning is this: all of the other historic buildings have narrow upper floor plates that lend themselves to double loaded corridors with rooms on each side.  These old historic buildings still have their light wells intact and that allows each room to have a window.  The Simpson Building is a 100' x 95' square.  It started out aa a 50' x 95' building in 1910, then doubled on the lower floors and made "L" shaped on the upper floors in 1926.  In 1967, the lighwell was filled in to bring the upper floors up to the footprint of the lower floors.  I'm thinking to convert into a hotel, either the light well addition would have to be demolished, or they would make a donut and remove a portion of the center of the building.  Since there was a "joint" between the light well addition and the other parts of the building, it seem that it would make the most sense to remove that section.  This is just a guess.  Before XTO bought the building, my firm did do some interior renovations to it over the years.



#130 txbornviking

txbornviking

    Skyscraper Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,368 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Arlington Heights

Posted 17 February 2022 - 12:13 PM

that seems CHEAP!

https://www.commerci.../tx/fort-worth/

2020 Office Space Rent & Sales
  • $23.182020 Avg. Asking Rent
  • 1.84%Y-o-Y Avg. Asking Rent Change
  • 12.62%2020 Office Vacancy Rate
  • $171.6M2020 Total Office Sales
  • $237.34Avg. Sale Price/Sqft


#131 Austin55

Austin55

    Skyscraper Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 9,657 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Near Southside

Posted 18 March 2022 - 04:19 PM

Rumor: The developers of the nearby, long-proposed Residence Inn are trying to transfer their franchise from that location to the Baker Building. 



#132 eastfwther

eastfwther

    Advanced Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 383 posts

Posted 31 March 2022 - 11:19 AM

Looks like another hotel conversion.  I believe this is some of the space vacated by XTO. 

 

It seems to be a contest to see how much office space can be  removed from DTFW.  

 

 

 

https://www.dallasne...l-become-hotel/

 

A landmark Fort Worth building has been purchased by an Irving hotel company.

The 11-story office building at 110 W. 7th St. in downtown Fort Worth was constructed in 1910 to house the First National Bank.

 

The more than century-old building was purchased by Icon Lodging, which is expected to convert the property into a hotel.



#133 Austin55

Austin55

    Skyscraper Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 9,657 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Near Southside

Posted 31 March 2022 - 12:01 PM

Rumor confirmed then. 
 

Rumor: The developers of the nearby, long-proposed Residence Inn are trying to transfer their franchise from that location to the Baker Building. 



#134 John T Roberts

John T Roberts

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 16,367 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:South Fort Worth
  • Interests:Architecture, Photography, Bicycling, Historic Preservation

Posted 31 March 2022 - 05:43 PM

I have merged the two different threads specifically on the building and I have retitled the thread to "First National Bank/Baker/Bob R. Simpson Building Redevelopment".



#135 Austin55

Austin55

    Skyscraper Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 9,657 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Near Southside

Posted 21 December 2023 - 12:34 PM

Hit TDLR today: https://www.tdlr.tex.../TABS2024007964

 

$33 mil, scheduled March start.



#136 John T Roberts

John T Roberts

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 16,367 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:South Fort Worth
  • Interests:Architecture, Photography, Bicycling, Historic Preservation

Posted 21 December 2023 - 03:54 PM

I am still real curious how they are going to convert the building into a hotel with a full 1/4 block footprint.  All of the other buildings that were converted had light wells in the center and smaller than 1/4 block for their footprints in the tower portions of the buildings.  The result of this footprint being larger on the upper floors is from two additions to the building.



#137 rriojas71

rriojas71

    Skyscraper Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,496 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Belmont Terrace - Historic North Side
  • Interests:Real Estate, RE Development, Geography, Team Sports, Restaurants, Urban Exploring, Gaming, Travel, History

Posted 22 December 2023 - 02:34 PM

Wasn't the Residence Inn slated for the narrow bldg that's on the NE corner of 8th and Houston?



#138 John T Roberts

John T Roberts

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 16,367 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:South Fort Worth
  • Interests:Architecture, Photography, Bicycling, Historic Preservation

Posted 22 December 2023 - 03:16 PM

Yes, it was.  I believe there is a forum thread on it.  The possible demolition of 108 W. 8th has left that building entirely vacant.  It will be interesting to see what will happen to it, now.

 

Here's the link within the Forum discussing the Residence Inn going in at 8th & Houston:

https://www.fortwort..."residence inn"



#139 rriojas71

rriojas71

    Skyscraper Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,496 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Belmont Terrace - Historic North Side
  • Interests:Real Estate, RE Development, Geography, Team Sports, Restaurants, Urban Exploring, Gaming, Travel, History

Posted 22 December 2023 - 04:45 PM

Yes, it was.  I believe there is a forum thread on it.  The possible demolition of 108 W. 8th has left that building entirely vacant.  It will be interesting to see what will happen to it, now.

 

Here's the link within the Forum discussing the Residence Inn going in at 8th & Houston:

https://www.fortwort..."residence inn"

So I am assuming since this building is going to be a Residence Inn that this proposal is off the table?  I kinda already assumed that it was.



#140 John T Roberts

John T Roberts

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 16,367 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:South Fort Worth
  • Interests:Architecture, Photography, Bicycling, Historic Preservation

Posted 22 December 2023 - 07:51 PM

The same hotel developer that purchased Century Plaza (108 W. 8th) and was going to build a Residence Inn, purchased the Bob R. Simpson Building.  Since they are owned by the same developer, I would say the Residence Inn on the smaller lot south of the Bob R. Simpson Building is off the table.  With that said, who's to say that the developer won't still demolish the 5 story building and then build another branded hotel on that site after the Residence Inn is open?



#141 Nitixope

Nitixope

    Skyscraper Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 5,868 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fort Worth, TX
  • Interests:Biking, Photography, Music, Bass Guitar, Architecture, Construction

Posted 22 December 2023 - 08:07 PM

Since this is going to be a Residence Inn, I'm guessing each room has a little kitchen with stove, dishwasher and oven.  That certainly is something unique to a downtown hotel.



#142 John T Roberts

John T Roberts

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 16,367 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:South Fort Worth
  • Interests:Architecture, Photography, Bicycling, Historic Preservation

Posted 22 December 2023 - 08:19 PM

I think you are pretty close on the amenities in the kitchen.  Developers are putting extended stay hotels in downtown areas. 



#143 elpingüino

elpingüino

    Skyscraper Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,441 posts

Posted 22 December 2023 - 10:49 PM

Star-Telegram, Morning News, and others are reporting it, but just citing the public records, so I didn't see anything we didn't already know. Here's Bisnow's article since it isn't behind a paywall.
https://www.bisnow.c...rt-worth-122229

#144 Nitixope

Nitixope

    Skyscraper Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 5,868 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fort Worth, TX
  • Interests:Biking, Photography, Music, Bass Guitar, Architecture, Construction

Posted 31 January 2024 - 11:15 AM

Record PO24-00285: 
Occupancy Change of Use
Record Status: Plan Review

 

https://aca-prod.acc...ShowInspection=

 

Applicant:
Icon Lodging
3501 Olympus Boulevard
340
Coppell, TX, 75019
rsotelo@iconcompanies.com
 
Project Description:
Residence Inn by Marriott
NO PREVIOUS CO//CONVERTING FROM OFFICE TO HOTEL Adaptive Reuse Conversion of the existing 11-story building from office to hotel including an addition to infill a portion of the 11th floor. Hotel will feature 149 guestrooms, meeting space, and ground floor food service.

 

Site Contact information
Bennett Partners
 
Job Value($):
$21,500,000.00
 
Total Sq Footage: 119,391


#145 Austin55

Austin55

    Skyscraper Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 9,657 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Near Southside

Posted 31 January 2024 - 11:57 AM

Always good to see Bennett Partners attached to projects like this.



#146 Nitixope

Nitixope

    Skyscraper Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 5,868 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fort Worth, TX
  • Interests:Biking, Photography, Music, Bass Guitar, Architecture, Construction

Posted 31 January 2024 - 12:47 PM

Always good to see Bennett Partners attached to projects like this.


Hopefully their MEP designer will spec nat gas detecters.





1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users