Respected Dallas Architect, Phillip Shepherd, Dies at 77
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Highly-respected Dallas architect Phillip W. Shepherd Sr. died Thursday, July 11, 2019, a longtime family friend confirmed to CandysDirt. He was 77.
Reared in Graham, Shepherd graduated with a degree in architecture from Texas Tech University in the 1960s. He began his firm, PWS Architects, in 1963.
When you look at the current landscape of Uptown Dallas, you’d be hard pressed to find a place Shepherd didn’t influence as an architect. His portfolio is long and varied, and includes such Dallas mainstays as The Crescent Hotel and the Mansion on Turtle Creek.
In Dallas, he collaborated with other architects and builders to craft buildings that would honor Texas history, but also put a distinctly contemporary stamp on places the city (and its visitors) would come to work and play.
“We wanted something that was not a glass box, that ended up having some connotations of Texas history … that still had heritage, but still had a contemporary feeling,” Shepherd said of the Crescent in an interview with Dr. Gary McCaleb of Abilene Christian University in the early-1980s.
Interview with Phillip Shepherd on The Portal to Texas History.
In that same interview, he spoke with enthusiasm about the Uptown and burgeoning Arts District area, which at that time was still eagerly awaiting DART to come to fruition, and the completion of the Dallas Museum of Art building.
Shepherd’s work has been published in the New York Times, Architectural Digest, Architectural Record, Dallas Morning News, and the Dallas Business Journal, and he has received numerous awards for design excellence.
Shepherd is survived by his children: Phillip Jr., Stephanie, Francesca, and Barrett; and a brother, Steve Shepherd, and brother-in-law, Oliver Roberts.
More, including reaction from the real estate community, to come.
RIP sir.
Steve and Jr.
I am so sorry to hear of Phillip’s passing. From what I’ve read he was an amazing man. God bless you both during this difficult time.
Phil and our (Scott) family go way back and it breaks our hearts to hear of your loss. We had some wonderful memories growing up and staying in touch all these years. Please know you are in our hearts and in our prayers. The Scott Family, formerly of Graham, Texas.
Phil had such a caring loving soul
I always enjoyed a cocktail with he and friends at Cafe Pacific’s great bar.
You will be missed by many
God bless you and your beautiful family. Memories of you will always be in our hearts
RIP. I enjoyed all the years working with Phillip. A man of vision.
He was a dear man and our client when Martha Gallier and I worked with him many years ago to create all the marketing materials for The Crescent project. He was kind, appreciated the creative process, respectful, and we both considered him a friend throughout the years. He loved people and valued his family and friends. May God’s strength and peace be with his family.