As cities worldwide embrace adaptive reuse, why is Dallas still limping along? Atlas Metal Works is simply the latest notch in the bedpost of developers that don’t get it or don’t care.
There are companies here that do embrace rich industrial architecture. You only have to look at the enormous success of Todd Interests East Quarter development. It is a shining example of successful adaptive reuse. Developers must be open to out-of-the-box thinking and seeing a bigger picture instead of settling for immediate gratification.
You may scratch your head and think, this is just a series of run-down industrial metal buildings. There is one small 1929 Art Deco stucco and tile administration building that we’re told will be saved, so who cares about the rest?
Let’s stop for a minute and think this through.
These are architecturally significant buildings because they are one of Dallas’s last remaining industrial complexes. They are culturally significant because items were manufactured here for use during World War ll. So were the culverts that helped expand our city. The bottom line is Atlas was an instrumental part of building Dallas.
These buildings are historically significant on a national level because Atlas was one of America’s largest steel and iron mills. Locally they are important because the Storey family founded and ran this business from 1909 until the recent sale. Boude Storey was a well-known community leader, serving on the Dallas board of education for nine years and Oak Cliff’s first junior high school is named after him.
Architect Alicia Quintans has written extensively about Atlas Metal Works. She summed up the issue for us beautifully.
This area of West Dallas is quickly becoming unrecognizable to locals who call this place home. A few industrial buildings and warehouses have been repurposed, yet most have been demolished to make way for five to eight-story apartment buildings. When the news came this week that yet ANOTHER apartment building is planned for this historic property, it was like a sucker punch.
Atlas Metal Works has potential.
That still leaves us at square one with an out-of-town developer. Rather than assume they don’t care, I prefer to think they simply do not understand our architectural, historic, and cultural heritage. Nor do I believe they see that more money could be made by embracing that bigger picture.
All you have to do is Google industrial adaptive reuse, it’s that simple. Repurposing the giant metal Atlas buildings is smart. Let’s offer our out-of-town developers a window into the millions of dollars they could have in their pockets instead of the limited funds, boring new multifamily and retail construction would bring.
We all know about the phenomenal success of Pikes Market in Seattle, Washington. Adaptive reuse of industrial buildings is everywhere. In San Diego, the Western Metal Supply Building was integrated into a new baseball stadium. Vancouver has turned an old industrial complex into Granville Island Public Market. Lyon, France, has a sugar warehouse as a cultural focal point and a textile plant in Lisbon, Portugal, is now space for offices, restaurants, and galleries. Germany has an entire 400 kilometer Industrial Heritage Trail. In Sebastopol, California, Barney Aldridge bought the old Barlow apple processing plant. He listened to the community and did the math because 26,000 cars drove by daily.
Historic buildings are cool and having one as part of your brand makes your company more instantly recognizable. It’s smart marketing. So, doesn’t it make sense to keep all of the Atlas Metal buildings intact, acting as a draw to the area? It seems an absolute no-brainer.
Those giant metal buildings would lure artists and farmer’s markets. Imagine one as a wedding venue? Think what Chip and Joanna Gaines would do with Atlas Metal! Any city can have blocks of the same old apartments. Don’t we want something different?
“You have to look not just at the land, but what is on it and why it’s important. Don’t assume people do not care.”
David Preziosi, FAICP, Hon. AIA Dallas
Executive DirectorExecutive Director Preservation Dallas
Take Action
The City Plan Commission hearing on March 3 regarding the rezoning of Atlas Metal is open to the public. Anyone can register to speak. If you are a community advocate, this is your opportunity to help a developer gain insight into what you consider important to Dallas.
You will need to use Case number Z212-145 when sending in comments or signing up to speak. You can send comments via email to the CPC secretary at [email protected] and she will distribute them to the commission members.
The City Plan Commission meetings will be held in person and by video conference. Individuals who wish to speak in accordance with the City Plan Commission Rules of Procedure should contact the Current Planning division at 214-670-4209 by the close of business Tuesday prior to the scheduled CPC Meeting date. The links below will direct you to the respective CPC meeting date to listen to the meeting and Public Affairs and Outreach will also stream the public hearing on Spectrum Cable Channel 96 and bit.ly/cityofdallastv.
