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Traces of the former Stephen F. Austin Elementary School have been preserved at 319 Lipscomb St. – Tarrant County’s oldest surviving schoolhouse, originally built in 1892 and currently rented on Near Southside. Porcelain water fountains, chalk boards still tied with dotted lines to teach children handwriting, and Victorian-style fireplaces are among dozen of features that evoke the days when children rushed back and forth between the halls – among these Children golfer Ben Hogan and actress Ginger Rogers.
The building was expanded in 1910 and served as a school until 1977. Three years later, the Williamson-Dickie bought the property, which was then subjected to a historical renovation under the direction of Fort Worth architect Martin Growald; and for the next four decades, the iconic production company would claim the school as their headquarters before moving to West Vickery Boulevard.
But now, real estate firm Transwestern is looking for the next tenant (or tenants) to start a new story for the schoolhouse on Lipscomb. On 21,548 square meters, the two-story building includes offices for executives, conference rooms, a kitchen, a spacious lawn and other functions that are available to future tenants.
Whit Kelly, director of Transwestern, says renters are welcome to make some updates to the design of any space, although some elements are historically protected. The building displays Romanesque style architecture, characterized by large arches and the heavy use of red brick and limestone. It was listed on the US National Register of Historic Places in 1983 for both its architecture and its importance to Fort Worth public education.
Kelly says the schoolhouse can be a single or multi-tenant building. Some potential tenants have expressed interest but haven’t signed any contracts, he says.
“[The space] feels like a law firm to me, “says Kelly,” but it could be the creative types – marketing, architecture, etc. who can use history the way they use their space. “
While Transwestern is acting as the leasing agent, Red Oak Realty is managing the property. Further information on 319 Lipscomb St. can be found here.
Samantha Calimbahin
Samantha Calimbahin is the editor-in-chief of Fort Worth Magazine. When she’s not editing or creating to-do lists for the magazine’s myriad projects, she’s jamming on her guitar and planning her next trip to a Disney theme park.
Read more from Samantha Calimbahin
August 20, 2021
4:15 p.m.
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