15 replies to this topic

[pallen]

I saw a sign posted about a varience request or something or other for this building. Anyone know if it has sold?

[pallen]

I just realized, this should probably be in the Historical section.

[Binx]

Unfortunately, I don't think the posted notice has anything to do with the building, but rather an alley vacation by the city. I don't know this for sure, but the residents of that block and the surrounding area received notices in the mail regarding the alley vacation. I fear the options for the bulding are very limited at this point, given that there is no place for parking.

[Fort Worthology]

I wish "parking" weren't so big an impediment. Go on-street or make a friendly deal with the church. Creative minds could find a way to make it work.

[travelbear]

Wasn't the first indoor swimming pool in Fort Worth located in that building? I heard that years ago when the ballet company was located there.

[pallen]

I wish "parking" weren't so big an impediment. Go on-street or make a friendly deal with the church. Creative minds could find a way to make it work.

I agree. The guy that owns it is the the guy the ran the ballet company. I think he wants $500,000 for it. College Avenue BC doesnt have that kind of money - not even close.

Its a great building, I had an opportunity to tour the inside once. It needs a LOT of work, but has tremendous potential. I wish something could be done with it.

[redhead]

I called him about two months ago---said he had a contract on it, but would take a back-up...at just shy of TWO MIL. Ha. Not even close! And yes, he confirmed the indoor pool story, although it's been covered up...don't remember if he said filled in or just covered over. But the lack of parking is its great undoing...nice space, but hard to use without parking.

[pallen]

I have absolutely no idea what would be a fair price for such a building, but 2 million seems a little steep considering the work it needs and the lack of parking.

[Recyclican]

It's too bad FW Parks doesn't consider purchasing it and re-opening it as an indoor pool. Most of the hard work is done (building, pool) just need to fix it up and re-open it. Maybe make the upper floors office space for parks employees?

[William Huber]

I have a friend that lives near that building, I've also wondered what the whole story was behind it.

[76107]

For 2 million bucks I can get fifteen thousand feet downtown with parking for fifty cars. Renovated newer building, easy freeway access, nicely appointed, and there's a tenant. What in the heck is this guy smoking? Will he give me some? Where are people getting some of these valuations? It sure as heck isn't an income based appraisal, I can tell you that.

[Recyclican]

Appraisal district has it market valued at $20,100

$20K for the land, 100 bucks for the building. Address is 1329 College Ave for anyone who's curious.

That alley vacation has me wondering...it's entirely possible (speculating here) that the owner is looking to buy that surplus property from the city to provide parking for this building (why else would you vacate the alley?)

It all depends on which alley was being vacated (either the one to the north, or east of this building). If it's the alley to the north, it might be wide/deep enough for a single-family house to be built on that lot.

[Fort Worthology]

To the north is now a brand-new bungalow built this year by Joe Franks, recently sold actually. The driveway to that house's garage is right next to this building.

The owner is clearly smoking something interesting asking that kind of money - I've heard he's a, shall we say, interesting fellow. I still say the building has potential for somebody who could come up with a creative solution to parking if it was being sold for a reasonable price.

Me? I'd turn it into a clean and well-kept hotel or hostel, market it towards alt-cool travelers who would take transit and walk or bike. Ride the TRE to Fort Worth and hop the bus (or later, the streetcar) real quick to Magnolia, and stay at the College Avenue Inn for a while. Take in the neighborhood. Maybe open up the pool to the neighborhood.

But that's just me.

EDIT: And if parking is really such a big deal, then valet park over at the Magnolia Green garage about three blocks away. Get a pedicab or tandem bike for the valets to use if they don't want to run.

[pallen]

It would make a great community center if we didnt already have one a few blocks away. There's a gym upstairs and a pool on the bottom floor. Large rooms elsewhere. I'm guessing the pool would need to be completly redone. Its still there, but they laid a wood floor over it somehow. If I remember the stories right, the pool had problems before it was closed.

I'm no engineer, but it looked as though steps were taken to shore up the structural integrity of the building. There are large steel beams running the span of the floors that tie to large supports on the east side of the building. There was some kind of sinking on the north east corner that happened like in the 40s or something, but I think that has been contained.

[Binx]

Just to clarify, the alley vacation is not for the main alley running north/south through the center of the block, but for another alley running east/west between lots on the north side of the block. I'm not sure why the City posted the notice where they did.

As someone who lives near this building, I can testify both to the "interesting" nature of the owner and the delusional price he has quote some folks, though I have also heard that he at times has quoted a much lower figure to seriously interested buyers. It will indeed take a creative solution to solve the parking issue. I hope somebody with the money to buy the building comes up with one.

[Recyclican]

To the north is now a brand-new bungalow built this year by Joe Franks, recently sold actually. The driveway to that house's garage is right next to this building.

That explains where I got that clever idea. I forgot about Joe's project! I have to rely on outdated Google Streets these days to see what's going on