FORT WORTH—BOKA Powell joined the Fort Worth Housing Authority on Wednesday in a “wall-breaking” event that celebrated the start of construction at Hunter Plaza in downtown Fort Worth.

The $29-million redevelopment project will transform the historic 11-story property into a mixed-use, mixed-income building, comprised of market rate and affordable apartments. The new Hunter Plaza will have 164 one- and two-bedroom loft-style units ranging in size from 550 to 850 square feet, and 10,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. 

“We are taking a potential liability [vacant building] on the skyline and turning it into an asset,” John Orfield, principal of BOKA Powell, told GlobeSt.com. “Hunter Plaza will offer a combination of market-rate and affordable housing that will be indistinguishable in terms of quality. It will be an opportunity for people to live downtown in an affordable way, which is very exciting and progressive, and helps solidify the western side of downtown.

The renovation and restoration process will preserve the existing façade of the classic 1950s apartment hotel, and interior elements, including the main lobby, corridors and the original unique doorframes. The renovated apartment units will feature exposed concrete columns and ceilings, and large operable windows.

“The nature of this historic property creates unique unit configurations,” says Robby Reid, project manager with BOKA Powell. “Shallow floor-to-floor heights in this historic building required creativity to make the spaces feel open and inviting. These loft-like environments feature lots of windows and light, including floor-to-ceiling glass walls in certain units to facilitate natural light infiltration.” 

Building amenities will include a media room, community activity room, library, business center, and fitness room. A four-story parking garage with 182 spaces, screened with a coated fabric to soften the exterior, will be constructed on the existing surface parking lot at the back of the site. 

In keeping with the city of Fort Worth's plans to create walkable corridors downtown, an enhanced, well-lit pedestrian streetscape will connect Hunter Plaza with Sundance Square. The project is scheduled for completion in December 2015, with pre-leasing opportunities opening in October 2015.

BOKA Powell is providing architectural design and interior design services for the project, working closely with the Fort Worth Housing Authority, the building's owner, as well as developer Carleton Development LTD, general contractor SEDALCO Construction and historic preservation consultant Quimby McCoy Preservation Architecture LLP.