Sanger Building

Wyatt C. Hedrick was the architect for this 5 story concrete faced with stone building that extends from Houston to Throckmorton along W. 4th Street. It was constructed by Wohlfield and Witt.  When this structure opened for Sanger Brothers Department Store in 1929, it had some of the most modern retailing innovations. It was the first department store west of the Mississippi River to be air-conditioned. The Depression was not kind to Sanger's, and within a few years after its opening, the store had closed. In 1943, the building was remodeled to become the largest U.S.O. in the United States. In 1946, the J.C. Penney Co. relocated from the Fakes Building next door. Penney's occupied the building until the early 1970's. In 1986, the exterior of the building was restored and in 1993, the upper floors of the building were converted to 59 loft apartments. The Sanger Lofts tie into the adjacent Fakes Building. The Sanger Lofts project was designed by David M. Schwarz.  The Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau fronts along Throckmorton Street and the Milan Gallery has expanded into the Houston Street side.  The basement is home to The Circle Theater.