F. W. Woolworth Building

The F. W. Woolworth Building is a three-story structure made of limestone and concrete with classical detailing and ornamental frieze work across its facade. Today the building houses multiple retail and business tenants in Sundance Square, Fort Worth's historic downtown district.

Built in 1925 by architect Wiley G. Clarkson, this structure operated as a Woolworth department store for over 6 decades until closing in 1990. The original design called for a ten-story building, but the plans were reduced to the three-level structure that stands today.

This structure reflects how large retail stores shaped downtown shopping culture during the early 20th century, when department stores became community gathering places.

Located on Houston Street in the heart of downtown, this building is easy to reach on foot and surrounded by other shops and restaurants. Visitors can explore the exterior and architectural details at any time without needing advance planning.

The structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994, a recognition that came despite the original plan being for a much taller ten-story building. The scaled-down design that replaced those initial ambitious plans actually helped preserve the proportions that make it a notable example of early 20th century commercial architecture.

Location: Texas

Location: Fort Worth

Architects: Wiley G. Clarkson

Architectural style: Neoclassical architecture

Address: 501 Houston St.

GPS coordinates: 32.75400,-97.33160

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:00