By Chase Heckendorn
Special Contributor
There’s a growing trend nationwide toward restoring and repurposing historic buildings — celebrating the old and introducing the new. Nowhere is this more apparent than in downtown Dallas, which is home to two exciting restorations. Properties steeped in history live on as residential high-rises, where generations to come can create their personal histories.
LTV Tower and One Dallas Center: A Look Back
LTV (Ling-Temco-Vought) Tower (aka 1600 Pacific)
When this 434-foot-high skyscraper in central Dallas opened in 1965, it was the city’s fifth-tallest building. Equipped with a 25-story electric sign (the world’s largest at the time), the formidable glass structure transformed the Dallas skyline with an illuminated “LTV” and seasonal messages. After a few construction hiccups (tons of masonry broke loose and crashed through an adjacent building’s roof), the building housed commercial tenants and boasted a private penthouse-level club. Over the next four decades, the building changed hands several times. In 2014, a plan to revitalize the structure finally took hold.
One Dallas Center (aka Patriot Tower)
Opened in 1979, this sparkling 30-floor, 448-foot-tall skyscraper was supposed to be a pillar of a three-tower, $200-million mixed-use development designed by Henry N. Cobb that would be connected by an extensive pedestrian network. This project also experienced construction hiccups, most notably the 27-story fall of a huge crane that killed one. While the pedestrian network came to fruition, the two other towers did not. Like LTV Tower, One Dallas Center changed hands several times. In 2012, a plan was launched to convert the top half of the building to luxury apartments.
Urban Transformations: From Commerce to Residential
LTV Tower Apartments
As of July 2015, Dallas renters have a brand new option: 32 floors of luxury apartment space. Upscale and located in the heart of the city, LTV Tower Apartments feature nine one-bedroom, one-bath and seven two-bedroom, two-bath floor plans ranging from 820 to 1,360 square feet. Walk-in closets, acacia hardwood flooring, stainless steel, granite, and a vent-free, full-sized washer and dryer lend a touch of elegance to each unit. A 24-hour concierge service spoils residents while they enjoy the views from the rooftop infinity pool and soaking deck.
One Dallas Center
This property boasts 276 stunning apartments ranging from 570-square-foot studios to 1,450-square-foot three-bedroom, two-bath models. All are reminiscent of boutique-hotel accommodations and designed to make residents feel like they’re on vacation 365 days a year. What’s a vacation without a generous resort-quality pool complete with cabanas and a giant fitness center? Residents have plenty of time to indulge in the outdoor living area, sky lounge and residents-only bar because they can make use of the St. Paul DART station — located just a few steps away — for their commutes. Work emergency? No need to leave home. Call a meeting in the on-site state-of-the-art conference room.
Looking for your new apartment in the heart of Dallas? You can’t go wrong with these commercial-to-residential conversions in downtown Dallas.
Chase Heckendorn is a Realtor and Dallas resident specializing in the unique rental inventory in and around downtown Dallas. Find out more about Heckendorn and the incredible apartments and lofts in Dallas’ urban core on his website.
