John T Roberts

The building across the street, which is the old Dr Pepper plant, is in need of rehabilitation.  It is going to become the Fort Worth Birthing and Wellness Center.

The Fort Worth City Council approved the new, and more generous height restrictions today.  Harrison Mantas at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram has the story here:  https://www.star-tel...e287934400.html

I'm getting there, but my appointments are every 10 days or so.

As I had mentioned before, it does have a more narrow floor plate, which could better lend itself to residential redevelopment.  With the four separate elevator banks, it could be quite possible to convert this building into true mixed-use.  (Residential, Hotel, Office)

I have been in and out of touch lately due to starting to wrap up the implants.  I probably will have days that I don't post during the next month due to the finalization.  I just wanted to let you knot that I haven't forgotten about the forum.  Since, I have been missing more work lately, I'm starting to get behind at the office, which might lead to less posting.  I would appreciate if everyone could take up the slack.

Very nice.  I like the one on Commerce Street the best.

J.P. Elder Main Building, William James, and W.C. Stripling were all opened in 1937 and were designed by Wiley G. Clarkson.  You were correct in that you said they were similar.  In fact, they are all essentially the same floor plan with different facades and orientation.  William James and Stripling turn the wings toward the street.  At Elder, the plan is flipped and the wings are oriented toward the back of the building. 

As for historic designations, the schools vary.  Below is the school and the designation:

William James - No historic designations

Morningside - Located within a City Historic District, but not individually designated

J.P. Elder Main Building - City Demolition Delay (Annex is on the National Register)

Kirkpatrick - City of Fort Worth Historic & Cultural Landmark

Daggett - Located within a City Historic District and National Register Historic District

McLean - No historic designations

If a structure is located within a City or National Register Historic District, but not individually designated, the structure is given all advantages of actual designation. 

Also, for the record, I have worked on William James, both buildings of J.P. Elder, Kirkpatrick, and Daggett. 

Cantey also needs to be on their list.  These railroad crossings should never have been left to deteriorate to the current conditions.  If you are not careful, you could easily damage your vehicle by driving over these crossings.

I always dread driving on Berry becasue of the condition of the railroad tracks.

I was also there, and enjoyed my stay.  I was a little tired from walking on the Near Southside Version of the Downtown Fort Worth Walking Tour, but I walked the entire event and stayed a little while at some of the booths.

Austin, I'm already ahead of you.  I read the article early this morning.  As for the Power Plant, I'll believe it when I see it.

Barricades are still up, but the sidewalk is open and parking has been striped along Commerce Street. 

deco969base by jtrobert, on Flickr

The daylighting was nice on the artwork at the entrance, and some of the exterior lights on the base were turned on.

deco969entry by jtrobert, on Flickr

Finally, there is plywood installed over the area where the restaurant sign has been designed into the building's structure.

deco969restaurantsign by jtrobert, on Flickr

Personally, if I have to go to an H-E-B store, I will drive to Burleson.  The one thing that I don't like about the Burleson store is that it is always busy and the parking lot is always full.

JBB, the answer to your question shows up on the western facade of the building.  The elevator cores were used as a design feature due to the narrowness of the building.  Each back of elevators stops at a certain height and the office floors pick up above the terminated elevator shafts.  The levels where the elevator lobbies exist have windows looking out to the west.  It appears that there are four banks of elevators that serve approximately 10 or 11 floors each. 

Here are my photographs.

partial by jtrobert, on Flickr

jupiter-venus by jtrobert, on Flickr

totality by jtrobert, on Flickr