Kress Building, Moderne architecture building in Fort Worth, Texas.
The Kress Building is a five-story structure in downtown Fort Worth that combines Moderne design principles with distinctive decorative details throughout its exterior and interior spaces. Italian marble surfaces and crafted architectural elements define the building's overall appearance and material quality.
The building was constructed in 1936 during the Great Depression as a commercial space for the S.H. Kress Company, which operated it as a five-and-dime store until 1960. This construction timing shows how the company remained active in establishing retail locations even as the economy struggled.
The facade displays stylized Mayan elements above the upper windows, blending American commercial design with pre-Columbian artistic motifs. This mixing of cultural references was typical of how architects of that era expressed artistic interests and experimented with decorative languages.
The building was converted into residential units in 2016 while retaining its placement on the National Register of Historic Places, which protects its exterior appearance. Visitors can view the facade and architectural details from street level to appreciate the craftsmanship and design elements.
During its 2005 renovation, workers discovered a colony of Mexican free-tailed bats living within the structure, requiring careful removal before work could proceed. This unexpected wildlife presence highlighted how older buildings can shelter animal populations over time.
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