Fort Worth - Historic Buildings/Urban Decay

You know me and urban decay. I love it - because oftentimes the building in decay has a story. And it needs to be told.

I spotted this gem on the way back from the dinner with MQ and got really excited. I had spotted the neighboring building from afar but hadn't yet ventured over there to check it out. After being up unexpectedly early on Sunday, I decided to take a walk.

First, is this beauty:

This is the Texas and Pacific Railway Passenger terminal. Designed by Wyatt C Hedrick in1931, it was 12 stories of offices and an Art Deco station. The last train stopped in 1967 and saved from demolition in 1980s. In 1999, the lobby was restored because it was going to be used as a depot for a commuter rail. In 2003, the office floors were converted into lofts and reopened in 2006. From best I could tell, the restored lobby is now used for special events. I wish I had been able to take a closer look at the restored interior, but since it was a residential building, I did not want to ask.

Between this and the next building of interest was this classic Post Office. Here it is, bathed in warm morning light:

But this is the gem… the one I was so dang excited about. This is the "adjoining" Texas and Pacific Warehouse. "Adjoining" if you count being separated by a block that is occupied by the Post Office. This is also designed by Wyatt Hedirck. This was primarily intended as a warehouse/showroom, office space and storage. Unlike its counterpart, it did not receive the renovation attention and has sat vacant, probably since the 1960s. According to an urban exploration page, it had a brief life as a haunted house and a paintball location but is now fairly sealed up on the ground floor. Most of the windows are busted out, apparently the basement is full of water and another article suggest there is a tree growing on the roof.

Here's just a few images of the outside before I get to my favorite things - windows and doors:

Isn't it a beauty? It's such a shame that this building has been left to rot. Why not restore it into office buildings? That being said, it is still beautiful in its decline. There were 48 bays, still with doors intact. They made for beautiful pictures:

Windows:

So happy. But I would be happier if it restored to glory. I imagined this is what the Cotton Belt Rail Depot (in St Louis) might've looked like in its heyday.

It was a very satisfying way to end my exploration in Fort Worth.