Tax Credit Program Highlight: Dickson-Jenkins Building

History

The Dickson-Jenkins Building is a three-story industrial building that is part of the new Jennings-Vickery Historic District, in the Near Southside area of Fort Worth. Like many of its surrounding buildings, Dickson-Jenkins was built in response to the rapid populous growth of Fort Worth in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The district’s growth was due, in part, to the Armour and Swift meat packing plants established in Fort Worth in the 1910s. The district was built along two major streets in Fort Worth—South Jennings Avenue and West Vickery Boulevard, which served as throughways between downtown Fort Worth and the Southside and later as a commercial hub.

Rehabilitation Project

After being empty for some time, and after other failed redevelopment attempts, the Dickson-Jenkins Building has been converted into 21 loft condos, with retail and office spaces on the first floor. Minimal work was completed on the exterior, primarily consisting of removal of non-historic aluminum-framed storefront windows and replacement with salvaged steel windows that match the original (a few of which still remained). The interior floors were divided into studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartment units, with each having at least one large bay of windows. Concrete columns were left exposed throughout, and sometimes incorporated into the units as special features. Concrete floors, walls, and ceilings were left in rough condition, as a reminder of the building’s manufacturing history. A non-historic addition to the side of the building will house retail spaces, and an open courtyard between the buildings has been landscaped and will serve as a small neighborhood park.