Bedford Lodging’s Nobleman Hotel Reusing Historic Firehouse

A century-old fire station is being reused as part of a hotel development in Fort Worth’s Magnolia District.

Fire Station No. 5, at 503 Bryan Avenue, could get a new lease on life as the anchor element of a $26.5 million Nobleman Hotel, the Dallas Business Journal reported. The developer is Dallas-based Bedford Lodging, led by Jeff Blackman, and the hotel will be part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton brand.

The 121-key hotel is expected to open early next year, CultureMap reported. It will rise four stories, with one story of underground parking, according to a 2023 filing with the state of Texas. The estimated development cost comes to $173,200 per key.

The hotel will also house Duchess, a restaurant offering a Texas-influenced menu created by Casey Thompson, a North Texas hospitality executive. Known for his appearance on “Top Chef,” Thompson will focus on steaks, seafood and pasta dishes.

The fire station, built in 1910, will serve as the focal point of the development, preserving its historic charm while incorporating modern design. The restaurant will feature a 56-seat dining room and bar and will preserve elements of the fire station’s interior, including firefighter pulley systems. The restaurant will feature a 56-seat dining room and bar.

The timing of the hotel development aligns with Fort Worth’s booming hospitality sector. This is particularly evident in the city’s West Bend, Clearfork and Cultural District neighborhoods, where luxury hotels like the Craig Reid’s Bowie House have helped contribute to over $1 billion in investments in less than a decade.

The city is also seeing an increase in mixed-use developments, such as those by Goldenrod Companies, which will deliver premium office and hotel spaces by 2026. Despite some challenges in areas like Sundance Square, the city’s hospitality market remains strong, with rising revenue per available room and a growing pipeline of luxury hotel projects.

— Andrew Terrell