DTD: 211 N. Ervay

[freewaytincan]

See, this is what I'm talking about. The Southland LIfe building looked so cool in blue. I think theres a big misconception about what people think of in the 1960s.

But that was okay. It worked on there, and even better, all the turquoise was the same, it didn't alternate with lighter and darker turquoise.

[drycreek]

I understand the folk who say let the market dictate but I can't help it, I really love the blue. I think it does so much to enhance the color and architectual diversity of DTD. I just think we're going to look back and say, "man we really should not have redone all those cool 50's and 60's buildings, that blue is so cool, why do we always have to tear down our history?"

I just think we will regret it.

[texman]

Couldn't of said that better, drycreek.

[clipper]

Over near Love Field there's a street called Forest Park that cuts through an area developed in the 1950s with several office buildings. If you stand in the right spot just south of Mockingbird you can see a blue building, a yellow building and another clad in orange metal panels all within about a block of each other.

[clipper]

More pointless knowledge: 211 N. Ervay was built in 1958 by Dallas real estate developer Leo Corrigan, the leading builder here in the 1950s and 1960s. It cost about $6 million and was designed by Wyatt Hedrick. Hedrick is the same architect who did the Fidelity Union Insurance complex the Hamiltons are redoing on Thanksgiving Square. He also did the Adolphus Tower office building at Main and Akard and the Corrigan Tower which is the gray building at Pacific and St. Paul. He may have also done 1505 Elm - not sure about that, however. That big blank wall on 211 N. Ervay was right up against the side of the old Palace Theater - think Majestic Theater only bigger and even more opulent. The Hunt family tore down the Palace to build Thanksgiving Tower.

[clipper]

I was wrong. 1505 Elm - built in 1956 as the Dallas Federal Savings Building - was done by architect George Dahl. Trammell Crow was the developer. And 1505 Elm replaced another grand movie house that was knocked down at Akard and Elm: The Queen Theater.

[jsoto3]

^^ Do you have any particularly good links to additional info on the theaters?

[dallastophoenix]

^so sad about those beautiful theaters. i had heard that dallas had an incredible theater row at one point...

[Lakewooder]

Thanks for the history, Clipper. I remember some of that, but I'm glad we can count on you for the details

Put me down (literally, some of you) as a fan of the turqouise.

A lot of times 40-50 year old buildings go out of style, then they are back in vogue.

[msutton]

maybe one day we can try to re-create some of those old theaters. how well recorded are they?

[BigD5349]

What's a shame about the old theatre row on Elm Street is that the street scape they created has been wiped out. The towers that replaced them have zero pedestrian appeal -- no shops, no theatres -- now or in the future. If we still had our old theatre row, it would be one of our greatest tourist attractions today. It is a pity.

[clipper]

The Dallas Historical Society has photo collections of many of those theaters and there are lots on file at the downtown library. A couple of old coffee table history books of Dallas done over the years have photos of theater row along Elm. Others that are gone now included the Tower, Melba, Capri and Hippodrome. The Majestic is a grand theater but some of the others were more deco and elaborate. By the 1970s folks just weren't coming downtown anymore for movies. I think I may have seen the Sound of Music at the Palace. Can't remember for sure.

[F4shionablecHa0s]

I think pretty much anything would be more beautiful/architecturally signifigant than Thanksgiving Tower.

Sorry. That was random. I just think it's interesting that we have a long history of tearing down unique buildings to build huge things that are eyesores. Ren Tower before the facelift, Thanksgiving Tower, that building they're turning into condos on Pacific...

[Lakewooder]

I saw "How the West was Won" and/or "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" (my first two movies) at the Tower or Capri, I think. The Capri was divided up into 7 (?) screens just before its demise. The last thing I saw on the screen in one of those theaters was "Live and Let Die" back in 1974, I think. I also remember going to the Majestic in the late 1970s as an extra for the movie, "Phantom in Paradise".

[drycreek]

I think pretty much anything would be more beautiful/architecturally signifigant than Thanksgiving Tower.


See I really like Thankgiving tower and I REALLY like 211 Ervay next to it. It sounds kinda corny but it's like going to the beach and collecting a bunch of seashells. Who want nothing but long spirals? It's best to mix in some flowery lookin' ones and all different shapes and sizes. To me architecture is the same. I like the diversity.

[Lionel Hutz]

I work next door to 211 Ervay. I see it every day. I like it the way it is. The blue is cool and distinct. I wouldn't mess with it.

[antoinekhuu]

http://www.bgoarchitects.com/highrise%20lofts.html


18 Story
190,000 SF
The best corner in downtown Dallas is occupied
by a vacant 1950's circa background office
building clad in bright blue spandrel panels. Its
current dilapidated condition belies its potential
as an elite address. BGO Architects has sought
this project out as the perfect extreme
condition. No one else, it seems, can see past
the existing conditions that are making the
property impossible to re-develop, but its narrow
floor plates are perfectly suited to housing. Its
street presence is so strong and the corner that
it occupies is so highly visible that its
redevelopment as ultra high-end
condominiums is its only rescue from the
wrecking ball. Totally re-skinned, the resulting
image is both nostalgic and modern, a
combination demanded by the context of the
site.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a389/ansemt/dal211nervay7ig.jpg

[gc]

Whoa

[clipper]

Oh, please. Just what we need some faux gothic nightmare on Ervay Street. That's 1980s all over again. Been there done that. What's wrong with keeping and enhancing that 1950s facade?

[Kelley USA]

I like it- I think it's sweet!

[drumguy8800]

What's wrong with keeping and enhancing that 1950s facade?The fact that it's from the 50s.

[St-T]

Oh, please. Just what we need some faux gothic nightmare on Ervay Street. That's 1980s all over again. Been there done that. What's wrong with keeping and enhancing that 1950s facade?


I agree--think of all the other buildings we have "modernized" their facad.

[gc]

Could be worse. At least it may escape the wrecking crew....errr ball.

[jsoto3]

That is not a current proposal (thank goodness).

[gc]

That is not a current proposal (thank goodness).


Please share my friend.

[clipper]

Amen. It looks like Dracula's corporate headquarters.

[gc]

Amen. It looks like Dracula's corporate headquarters.

Lol...fine by me as long as Dracula does not relocate to Plano...

[X Factor]

I personally like it.

[jsoto3]

Please share my friend.
It's just a "vision" by the architect (probably a study they did for a prospective client). It's been on their website for a few years. I thought I had posted it on here before, but I guess not. Anyway, look at the description. That says it all. Just because you see something on an architect's website doesn't mean it did or is going to happen.

[msutton]

I think it's beautiful.

[texman]

Amen. It looks like Dracula's corporate headquarters.
So you would want a box instead? Keeping it the 50s look would be cool, but something being done with it is better than it just sitting around.

[DalLove444]

Call it "Dracula Manor.", or Dracula....i mean Dallas, TX 75202!

[DalLove444]

ok, now you may shoot me!!

[X Factor]

If they designed moblie homes like that Id be sold!!!! I like to have the mobility of the good ol' trailer.

[Tnekster]

I personally like it.

ditto

[telarium]

I did hear from someone at my office that the building was being turned into a residential complex. Then today as I was walking by, I saw a couple of guys loading boxes from the lobby of the building into a small moving van. Or maybe they were moving boxes from the van into the building.. I'm not sure.

It was the first time I've seen those front doors open at all, let alone people inside working. (And the liquor store doesn't count.) Maybe a good sign?

[gc]

^ I sure hope so. There has been a lot of speculation. Welcome to the forum.

[sterling]

That rendering seems to belong another project of the First Baptist ilk.

[Lakewooder]

They forgot the cartoon caryatids ...http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/9/9b/DisneyStudiosSeven.jpg

[evdallas]

They forgot the cartoon caryatids ...http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/9/9b/DisneyStudiosSeven.jpg


michael graves has done some "great" work.

[DalLove444]

Anyone heard anything about 211 N Ervay??

[telarium]

Only news I know about is that I see some of the lights on various floors are now turned on. I've lived near that building for about two years and it's the first time I've ever seen any activity at all. Plus there are a lot of boxes stacked up in the lobby and tables set up. Either they're clearing the building out or moving stuff into it.

My guess is that they're clearing it out... hopefully because they sold the damn thing. I really hate walking by that building and getting a big whiff of that urine smell.

[FoUTASportscaster]

If they are renovating the building, it would stand to reason that they are moving stuff out, to start ripping stuff up.

[DalLove444]

My guess is that they're clearing it out... hopefully because they sold the damn thing. I really hate walking by that building and getting a big whiff of that urine smell.

Hi Telarium, yeah, i smelled urine one day as i walked by one of the DP&L Buildings, but i dont know if by that time, the building was being worked on or what.........dunno.

BTW: Welcome 2 the 4rum, nice 2 have you!! :-)))

[FoUTASportscaster]

I circled this building today. It was the first time I paid extensive attention to it. I remember complaints about the liquor store, but it appeared that was gone. There was a convenience store, which I guess is useful. The thing that surprised me the most was the back was like a stucco exterior with sick to dead looking vines, which could be a great view, if let grown to the top. Don't know if they plan to cut the exterior for windows, but I would think vines to the top would be great.

[Columbus Civil]

psukhu, I'm glad you shortened your name.

[jsoto3]

There hasn't been any activity at the building in a while. Anyone know anything?

I recently caught this before/after visual by Green.Grass.Studios (http://www.greengrassstudios.com/):

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/3243/211ervaybeforeandafter1lb.jpg



If this building is torn down, someone had better put one hell of a park/plaza there! I love this building and would redevelop it in an instant if I had the money (parking be damned).

Angela Hunt, what is your position on this building?

[msutton]

i love the building, too. tearing it down would be a terrible mistake. this could be a great second opportunity for SROs.

[Agnus Dei]

Never mind. I'm tired.

[FoUTASportscaster]

I think what happened at 511 Akard shour happen here. This building would work well for that type of thing.