DTD: 500 South Ervay (old Butler Bros.)

[Justin Terveen]

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/2056/se500copyve6.jpg

[FoUTASportscaster]

I went for a walk last night and went around here and it looks as though progress is being made and possibly some work has begun.

On the south side of the building, there was a cherry-picker crane by the docks.
On the Ervay side, a lane of traffic was blocked off and near the intersection with Young, the sidewalk had protective covering over it and near Marilla, the lane of traffic had one of the big dumpsters.

I'll try to snap a picture sometime this week.

[slfunk]

^ Saw the same thing. Hopefully someone or even this developer is working on the site across young street where the subway is. 500 Ervay seems disconnected from what is happening along Main Street with that huge lot across Young. I would love to see some sort of complementary development on that huge parking lot that will face Ervay. Would help make Ervay become another pedestrian corridor of sorts. As it is now, I know a lot of homeless gather there near the Subway which may detract some people walking down the street because of an 'unsafe' feeling. I was also noticing that where Hamliton is going to redo the second building of the Santa Fe; there is a huge empty lot behind it and infront of SOCO. Farmer's market and all that is developing around there is only a couple blocks away from 500 Ervay.

With that said I think these two developments along with the convention hotel will really help to trigger other developers for more projects in this area around city hall and help piece together some of more of the puzzle.

[FoUTASportscaster]

^ Saw the same thing. Hopefully someone or even this developer is working on the site across young street where the subway is. 500 Ervay seems disconnected from what is happening along Main Street with that huge lot across Young. I would love to see some sort of complementary development on that huge parking lot that will face Ervay.

Not sure how it relates to this development, if it does at all, but across Young St there is a forklift and pallets of brick. It could be for the restoration of the exterior, or something else entirely.


Would help make Ervay become another pedestrian corridor of sorts. As it is now, I know a lot of homeless gather there near the Subway which may detract some people walking down the street because of an 'unsafe' feeling. I was also noticing that where Hamliton is going to redo the second building of the Santa Fe; there is a huge empty lot behind it and infront of SOCO. Farmer's market and all that is developing around there is only a couple blocks away from 500 Ervay.

With that said I think these two developments along with the convention hotel will really help to trigger other developers for more projects in this area around city hall and help piece together some of more of the puzzle.

This area needs revitalization, and this is a start. Things don't happen overnight and the more homeless bastions we move out, that is dark vacant buildings, the better for increasing the residential population, retail offerings and perceived safety issues.

[FoUTASportscaster]

From today.

The back, showing the crane.
http://img71.imageshack.us/img71/6080/1009007ix5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

From the East, with a couple of windows open.
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/8130/1009001lb1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

From the West, with more facade work.
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/8333/1009008uc3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/1157/1009014jy6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img102.imageshack.us/img102/2157/1009015nl3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img102.imageshack.us/img102/9809/1009016ar0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

And a couple of misc shots
http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/8969/1009017le5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/6018/1009013gf5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[BigD5349]

^Cool, thanks sportscaster.

[CityLove]

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/6018/1009013gf5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Just one question...

What's a "Pedestrain"?

[BigD5349]

Just one question...

What's a "Pedestrain"?

lol. another tribute to "no child left behind"

[BigD5349]

From today...

[dfwcre8tive]

cool. looks like there is a lot hiding under there.

[Tnekster]

Wow! That is great stuff. Can't wait to see this one when they get it uncovered.

[elmstreetdallas]

Why was that nicely ornate brickwork ever covered up in the first place?

Changing tastes? Very annoying.

[msutton]

Wow. What a shame that has stuff must be undone, which money, time, and effort could have been saved by keeping the building in its (more more appealing) original form.

[BigD5349]

Why was that nicely ornate brickwork ever covered up in the first place?

Changing tastes? Very annoying.

I was reading about this in the DMN historical archives. The exterior was redone during 1960, as part of a modernization program when the building was known as the Merchandise Mart. It was a big part of the fashion industry in those days, and they even opened a fashion museum in the building after the modernization. Some of the Kennedy family and Lady Bird Johnson visited the building subsequently.

It doesn't say in the articles why it the new style was selected, but I guess the old-timey look just wasn't cutting it when the Trade Mart and other entities were coming up in the Stemmons corridor.

I guess that yucky beige was considered swanky in those days, especially compared to the old style red brick. The building is about 100 years old now, so I just hope they can peel that crappy stuff off without damaging the original facade too much. It looks like it might take a beating in this de-skinning process.

[John T Roberts]

The old brickwork is really nice. They should be able to patch all of that back. Actually, I've seen covered facades with even more damage restored.

[BigD5349]

The old brickwork is really nice. They should be able to patch all of that back. Actually, I've seen covered facades with even more damage restored.

That's reassuring John, thanks.

Does anyone know, is this project definitely moving forward? It seems to me that they are peeling some of the facade away to get an idea of the condition of the original brickwork and expense of doing the whole building.

I don't get the impression that there's a full scale effort under way yet. I'd hate for them to peel away one section and then just stop and not decide to move forward. I'm sure after people see the terrific facade underneath, they'll decide to move ahead.

Are there any old timers out there that remember this building before 1960? It's kinda funny to me that we're all talking like archaeologists digging up ancient artifacts.

Restoring the old facade will certainly provide a welcome contrast to City Hall and the Library.

[slfunk]

I don't get the impression that there's a full scale effort under way yet. I'd hate for them to peel away one section and then just stop and not decide to move forward. I'm sure after people see the terrific facade underneath, they'll decide to move ahead.

Well they are not just removing one section. I was by there yesterday and they have workers on the Ervay side as well as Canton. Not hundreds but a couple guys chipping away at the stucco up on the high side. Then on the Ervay side they had a crane at the corner of the build removing some more concrete panels.

[BigD5349]

^cool, thanks for the info. I didn't notice that.

[FoUTASportscaster]

Yeah, there's no question this is a go. The DMN said work would begin in July. If you get a chance, look inside the building into some of the windows. You will see interior work as well. This is a huge building and will take a lot of work. The windows are open around the building indicating some work is going on, mostly on the upper floors.

[John T Roberts]

I have been attending the Texas Society of Architects Convention at the Convention Center and I took some pics of the work on Friday. The photos are basically of the Ervay side of the building. I will post them soon.

[crescentboi]

Restoring the old facade will certainly provide a welcome contrast to City Hall and the Library.

I couldn't agree more. I've always thought that that side of downtown is extremly bland color wise. This'll be great!

[drumguy8800]

Any word? I remember every day walking by it from work I could see the cool brickwork beneath the gaudy modernistic concrete sheath. So much potential.

[FoUTASportscaster]

Any word on what? If you mean construction and reconversion, yes, it has been under way for a couple of months now.

[clipper]

I've never seen exterior work go so slowly. Looks more like exploritory demolition than the real thing. And I don't understand why so much of the original brick under that junk was replaced at some point with cheap pink brick. Maybe was an issue with the old brick failing.

[dfwcre8tive]

Are they still waiting on funds from the city before they start full conversion and renovation? They were discussing it at the city council meeting today but I missed what was said. Any news?

[FoUTASportscaster]

Let's keep in mind this building is over 500,000 square feet. That is near 200,000 more than the Merc. There needs to be a lot of interior work in this cavernous building to gt it livable. They could be doing a lot of stuff inside and we'd never know. Meanwhile, outside they have two guys on a window washer thing doing their work.

[tamtagon]

They have plenty of time (right?) to fix'er up and move'em by 2008.


10:57 PM CDT on Thursday, June 22, 2006
By DAVE LEVINTHAL / The Dallas Morning News

... the 321-unit apartment project on the corner of Ervay and Young streets. Plans for it also call for 45,000 square feet of retail.

... 96-year-old structure could begin within months, with residential move-ins expected sometime in 2008.[/B]

http://dismuke.net/ftworthforum/postcards/butlerbros.jpg

[dfwcre8tive]

But during the Wednesday city council meeting they were voting on whether to give the developers special financial incentives since there is no more money in the TIF. They also required that the 45,000sq.ft of retail CANNOT include a night club. I think this is correct... I missed part of the discussion. Did anyone else catch what was said or voted on regarding this building?

[clipper]

They got the money.

[FoUTASportscaster]

They also required that the 45,000sq.ft of retail CANNOT include a night club.

I understand where they are coming from when they say this, but a nightclub doesn't have to mean that crime and ensuing problems will follow. Clear Ultra Lounge seems to be doing well for the Davis Building, though I know it is still early.

[Boredkid]

....

[TexasStar]

Blue started off as a members only club as well. One of my friends in fact had a memebership there and we would have our blue out nights. Where we would go and try to spend 200 dollars off his credit are quickly as possible then go somewhere we left safe. Never looked forward to the blue out nights. Though a few weeks back a friend and I were bored and could not find any good drinking establishments walked by blue and another bar near by, needless to say we walked in and walked out.

Why, exactly?

[Boredkid]

....

[Tnekster]

Where we would go and try to spend 200 dollars off his credit are quickly as possible then go somewhere we felt safe. Never looked forward to the blue out nights.

Ok, now that makes sense.

[Justin Terveen]

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e352/ninjawerk/overflow/th_kirbymorn_37copy.jpg (http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e352/ninjawerk/overflow/kirbymorn_37copy.jpg)

[Spjz]

One of my probationers told me that he is fixing to start on a two year job at this site and that things are going to start picking up.

[cowboyeagle05]

http://www.ebby.com/properties/developments.shtml

Not only is 717 Leonard on ebby so is 500 Ervay since they are projects planned by the same devloper with small rendering that shows the building in its original reddish brick tones. The probaly preliminary rendering seems to show nothing special about the project just a renovated warehouse building made ready to move into which is great as every project in Dallas does not need to gain landmark status.

[Tnekster]

I wonder what other condo projects he is referencing?

IN TOMORROW'S BUSINESS SECTION:

Former warehouse getting a makeover

Los Angeles-based Bisno Development plans to create more than 400 residential units in the 500 South Ervay building. By STEVE BROWN
Almost a century ago, the 500 South Ervay Building was hailed as Dallas' biggest wholesale distribution center.

Now the former warehouse - originally called the Butler Brothers Building - is getting a makeover that could make it downtown's biggest condo project. Two other big downtown condo deals are currently being sold.

Read the complete story in tomorrow's Dallas Morning News or at DallasNews.com.

[dfwcre8tive]

400 condos... that's a lot!

Landmark gets another chance
500 South Ervay to be home to condos and retail
12:00 AM CST on Friday, March 9, 2007
By STEVE BROWN / The Dallas Morning News
stevebrown@dallasnews.com
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/bus/stories/DN-southervay_09bus.ART0.State.Edition1.379f80d.html

Almost a century ago, the 500 South Ervay Building was hailed as Dallas' biggest wholesale distribution center.

Now the former warehouse – originally called the Butler Brothers Building – is getting a makeover that could make it downtown's biggest condo project.

Two other big downtown condo deals are currently being sold.

Los Angeles-based Bisno Development plans to create more than 400 residential units in the historic building across the street from Dallas City Hall. Condos will start at $180,000 and range upward to more than $600,000.

Bisno – which in the last 30 years has invested in dozens of such projects in California – has been working on its first big Dallas deal for more than a year.

The city of Dallas has earmarked $15 million in tax increment financing funds to support the redevelopment.

Ebby Halliday Realtors recently began advertising the building to potential buyers and plans to have a full-scale marketing center in place this summer.

"They intend to restore this building to its original grandeur as a landmark for Dallas," said Andrew Bearden with Ebby Halliday. "It will look as close as it did originally as we can get it."

Work crews have begun removing sections of beige exterior panels put on the building almost 50 years ago.

"We want to find the guy who came up with the idea of putting that on there and smack him around a little," Mr. Bearden said.

Underneath layers of "decorative" concrete and stucco, much of the building's original Chicago-style architecture with decorative brickwork and arched windows remains intact.

"It was a Romanesque building – with a heavy base, arches and a crenelated top like you see on a castle. It's typical of an early 20th century style of warehouse," said Jay Firsching of Dallas architecture firm Architexas, which has done consulting work for the developers. "For 1911, it was pretty incredible.

"People then were moving toward buildings that were more austere," Mr. Firsching said. "The Butler Building really stood out – it was very imposing."

Indeed, the 510,000-square-foot, nine-story 500 South Ervay Building in its day was one of the most impressive commercial structures in Dallas.

The building was constructed in 1911 by Butler Brothers of Chicago – then one of the largest wholesalers in the country and an operator of variety stores.

Dallas was Butler Brothers' fourth major warehouse location after Chicago, New York and St. Louis. The warehouse supplied retailers in the region including Ben Franklin and Federated Stores.

The huge brick warehouse on Ervay Street had more than 11 acres of storage space.

To stock the building with merchandise for retailers in the region, more than 800 train cars of goods were shipped to Dallas – the equivalent of a train 10 miles long, according to press reports.

In 1955, Butler Brothers moved its operations to a new warehouse southwest of downtown.

The Ervay Street building housed the Dallas' Merchandise Mart, a wholesale showroom center, which had been in business in the Butler Brothers building since the 1930s. A five-story parking garage adjacent to the building was added in 1956.

In 1960, the owners of the Merchandise Mart spent about $1 million to remodel the building with a new "modern" exterior made of concrete panels.

After the wholesale showrooms migrated to developer Trammell Crow's newer Dallas Market Center in the late 1960s, the building was again remodeled for general office space. It housed some city of Dallas offices until the new City Hall was built across the street in the mid-1970s.

The current redevelopment will include about 45,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space plus construction of a new, larger parking garage.

Bisno Development is working on a formal historic designation for the building, Mr. Bearden said.

"We would like to start taking purchase reservations this summer at the latest," he said.

The plan is to price the building to appeal to a wide range of buyers, said Ebby Halliday agent Phillip Brown.

"They are going to range in price from $190 to $250 per square foot," Mr. Brown said. "We are trying to make it affordable to first-time homebuyers."

Most downtown condos marketed so far have sold for about $200 per square foot.

The biggest condo building on the market downtown is the 283-unit Metropolitan tower on Main Street. Units in the former office building sell for between $180,000 and $600,000.

Metropolitan developers say that about 65 percent of the units are under contract. The first closings will start next month and construction is scheduled for finish in June.

Sales have been under way on the 203-unit SoCo Urban Lofts building on Jackson Street for about two years.

"We are pushing 80 percent sold," said developer Cliff Booth. "The sales take a while longer in this market, unlike in other cities where it is a lot quicker."

Dallas real estate analyst Mike Puls estimates that downtown Dallas condo sales averaged as many as 10 a month in 2006.

"The two projects in the market have been doing good to OK," Mr. Puls said.

But a slowdown in sales to investors and tougher lending standards for first-time buyers may cause condo sales to slow, he said.

"Many buyers could buy and qualify for a higher-priced home last year than they will be able to for the rest of this decade," Mr. Puls said.

500 SOUTH ERVAY

Built: 1911, by Butler Brothers of Chicago, a wholesaler and operator of variety stores.

How big is it? Nine stories, 510,000 square feet. It took more than 800 train car loads of merchandise to stock the building when it opened.

Did you know? In 1998, the city of Dallas briefly considered moving police headquarters to 500 South Ervay. However, the $47 million price tag for renovation was deemed too expensive.

[dfwcre8tive]

Cool photo from Quick (http://www.quickdfw.com/biz/stories/DN-biz--ervaybuilding_09ick.ART.State.Edition1.43e50c5.htm l)

http://www.quickdfw.com/sharedcontent/dws/img/v3/03-09-2007.NB_09Ervay1.G3023NBSS.1.jpg

[tamtagon]

I wonder if that big ass roof is going to be turned into a front yard scene with shade trees, flower and vegetable gardens, nice green lawns, exercise walking path, bubbling fountains, a gold fish pond, bird bathes & houses and stuff like that.

Personally, I dont know why every (re)development has to push the homeowners-expensive pool. If I lived downtown, some grass and trees on the roof would be way more enjoyable than swimming pool.

[SDORN]

I got around to shooting this baby, about time!!!. last I was with Ninja, last year.

http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/3298/500servayxz9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[SDORN]

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/5461/500servay2kn7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[psukhu]

Are they taking money on units yet?

When will the first unit be ready for move-in?

Is there a web site for this project?

Thanks.

[freewaytincan]

we could really do with a good rendering.

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/7564/the500ch1.jpg

because that is not cutting it.

[SCARLETandBLACK]

It is wonderful that they are restoring this building's facade to something like its original character. The pictures of the original facade make it look much more inviting by today's standards.

I wonder if the mentality of the 1960's design had anything to do with riot or protest determent for the building or even the entire area.

After all, stark design does make it more difficult to gather a critical mass of people, whether for good, or for bad. What better way to protect your investment?

According to Wikipedia (what a great source, I know), Dallas City Hall's location was chosen by a "Citizens City Hall Study Committee" in 1964, composed of "citizens" appointed by the Dallas City Council.

Of course, we all know that I.M.Pei's design (finally completed in 1978) discourages public demonstration, with its ominous forms that loom out over the public and its overscaled, hard, hot concrete plaza. -Even the rails on the sides of the plaza are superhuman and the flagpoles are oversized (and with forced perspective, made to look larger, and possibly lethal if the giant that lives in the Hall ever decides to throw one at you).

I wonder if this building was an inspiration for placing the Pei designed City Hall building in its current location, because the two buildings would, together, help deter protest and demonstration (as well as the ever-feared riot), especially since the location was chosen in 1964, a pivotal year in U.S. policies, both domestic and abroad.

[clipper]

I see the vagrants have already busted out one of these new windows. What a waste.

[NDtexan]

I see the vagrants have already busted out one of these new windows. What a waste.

don't know what you're talking about from what i see in the picture.

[vman]

I see the vagrants have already busted out one of these new windows. What a waste.
I see vagrants around this building all the time. Has construction started again on this building or not? I have not noticed any real changes in a while. Once more construction starts and there's more activity in the area, the vagrants and homeless people will probably keep away. In the meantime, I continue to see some scary people around this building.

[exp8tri8]

I saw a group of hard hats looking over plans and going on a tour last Thursday or Friday, for what it's worth