FORT WORTH—Originally constructed in 1912, the Horse and Mule Barns in Fort Worth's Stockyards contain approximately 185,000 square feet. The barns are designated as part of the contributing architecture of the Fort Worth Stockyards Historic District.

The adaptive reuse effort is underway for the historic barns. Located at 122-124 East Exchange Ave., the $45 million renovation project includes the barns, the space between them known as Mule Alley and the park at Marine Creek.

This project is the first phase of Fort Worth Heritage Development LLC's $175 million plan to develop more than 70 acres in and around the stockyards. The development company was formed by owners Majestic Realty Company and the Hickman Companies to work with Fort Worth on a redevelopment plan of the historic area. JQ is a sub-consultant to the architectural and planning firm of Bennett Benner Partners on the project, providing facilities assessment and structural preservation engineering services.

“With JQ's experience in working on adaptive reuse projects, we are pleased to be involved with the repurposing of the barns,” JQ's principal Mark LeMay, tells GlobeSt.com. “Working under Bennett Benner Partners, the architect, as an engineering consultant is an honor, and we are delighted to see this sizable project come to fruition.”

JQ performed an assessment of the seven barns which constitute the two facilities. The barns consist of concrete roof structures, concrete mezzanines, interior steel lattice columns encased in concrete and exterior load bearing brick walls. After completing its assessment, JQ developed repair documents that included repair of concrete damage and failures, brick masonry repair and restoration, structural steel repairs, foundation underpinning to address movement, addition of supplemental steel framing to facilitate change of use and rebuilding of the timber roof structures at roof towers.

JQ produced core and shell documents which included developing demolition drawings, installing new storefront windows and canopies around the barns, installing a replacement floor structure and reviewing the impact of mechanical units on the structure. Construction is scheduled to start in March 2017 with completion targeted for 2018.

“After presenting the results of our assessment and developing preliminary budget numbers for repairs, the owners decided to proceed with the adaptive reuse of the barn structures and will repurpose them as retail, office, restaurant and event spaces,” LeMay said.

The project team includes Majestic Realty's Commerce Construction Co. LP as general contractor, Bennett Benner Partners as architect, Kimley-Horn as civil engineer and Susan Klein as historian/historic consultant.

JQ's experience with historic preservation and adaptive reuse projects includes some of the state's most iconic structures, such as the governor's mansion in Austin, TX, and more than 45 historic county courthouses throughout the state.

As previously reported, the Scenic Residences at River East is the first multifamily development in the re-emerging River East neighborhood, also in Fort Worth.

Instant Insights /

Project is First Phase to Develop Land Around Stockyards

Related Stories

Recommended For You