Fort Worth Halts Demolition of Historic Warehouse Building

A developer involved in the fate of a historic building in Fort Worth is approaching the challenge through an outfit named for the narrow boats built to get through the swamps of bayou country.

John Landry and his Pirogue Projects will likely have to navigate some narrow openings in a swampy atmosphere to get a sale of the Kimbell Milling Company building done.

The developer is representing Cenikor Foundation in its bid to sell off the 95-year-old structure as a teardown to go with nearly 4 acres of land at 2109 South Main Street, the Dallas Business Journal reported.

The Houston-based foundation provides addiction rehab services at other sites throughout Texas.

The empty 25,000-square-foot Fort Worth building, which once served as the headquarters of Kay Kimbell, founder and namesake of what became the Kimbell Art Museum.

It is located about 3 miles south of downtown Fort Worth. The area is zoned for light industrial uses.

Cenikor claims it has not used the building in more than 20 years. It is surrounded by abandoned grain silos and has sustained significant damage, according to the owner.

The property has been valued for tax purposes at $7.6 million, which often understates market values.

Its actual value could get a test, with some local business owners and representatives of historical associations claiming there’s a chance of a buyer with preservation in mind for the 96-year-old building.

That was apparently enough for the Fort Worth Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission to delay any tear-down for up to six months after permits for a demolition were filed.

Landry said Censor has made several attempts to sell property over the past three years, listing it with First Light Commercial and trying again with JLL.

He said Cenikor gave tours to 14 groups in 2022, drawing interest from four potential buyers who later backed out after getting a clear understanding of damage to the building. The organization claims carrying costs have come to $1.1 million since it was first listed in 2021.

“Cenikor is not in the real estate business and has come to the unfortunate but necessary decision to apply for a demolition permit after a significant and years-long effort to sell the building,” Landry said.