Norman Alston: What Happens Next For Marquita Court Says a Lot About Dallas
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Karen Eubank: When I heard about the roof collapse at Marquita Court, a wave of dread washed over me. I rang CandysDirt.com photographer Mimi Perez, and we met at the corner of Matilda and Marquita on Tuesday to see the damage. We were worried, but determining whether or not a damaged historic building can be repaired is not in our wheelhouse.
Fortunately, Norman Alston, FAIA, Principal of Norman Alston Architects and the current President of the Board at Preservation Dallas, is not only one of the most informed preservation architects in America but also a talented writer and the person who knows if and why a building should be saved.
By Norman Alston, FAIA
Special Contributor
“Dallas doesn’t have much history because it tears it all down.” I hear and read that a lot.
It’s easy to understand that sentiment when you hear about the loss, or impending loss, of so very many well-known and potentially historic buildings, such as Exchange Park, the former Parkland Hospital complex, the sheds at Atlas Metal Works, and other large and well-known buildings. In my lifetime, I have watched as both Texas Stadium and Reunion Arena were built, then ultimately demolished before they even had an opportunity to be considered historic.
More obvious and troubling to many, however, is the loss of smaller, older buildings that make up the soul of our most interesting neighborhoods. It is an unusual day that I don’t hear some comment about a beautiful, older neighborhood that is being consumed by modern apartments or sleek, new homes that are twice the size of the original houses. With the loss of these original buildings goes the character of the neighborhood.
While historic preservation is thought by most to focus on the architecture, it is increasingly evident that these places have an importance that goes far beyond the often-modest architecture that populates them. What comprises a neighborhood is far more complex and nuanced than its buildings, and that sentiment comes from an architect. It’s about both the look and the feel. It’s about the people, businesses, schools, and memories that create an image in our minds that makes these neighborhoods unique.
The architecture may be modest, but it is powerful in that it is the quick, readily accessible link to the soul of the neighborhood.
I have often attributed the difficulty in preserving historic buildings to our city’s age. Dallas has been an adolescent city, brimming with energy and hormones but lacking the life experiences to focus them constructively. However, over the past several years, I have seen that changing.
In many ways, I have seen us take our feet off the throttle of the bulldozers. Public outcries about the possible loss of even some non-descript buildings have indicated we may be on the road to better appreciating their value, especially that of the smaller, more vernacular structures.
The Measuring Stick
Now we have the strange story of Marquita Court to gauge our progress.
Less than two weeks ago, the news outlets reported that a large portion of the roof collapsed and that a structural engineer would determine if the building could be saved. There was an immediate outcry, with no one, including me, expecting the result of that examination to recommend retaining the building. Here was a prime piece of property on a prominent corner in a popular neighborhood close to restaurants, shops, and entertainment. It’s already occupied by multifamily. What a natural location for new, podium-style, Soviet-era, proletariat housing-inspired modern apartments.
But no, the engineer’s recommendation is that demolition is not necessary. So now what? The owners’ decision on this property will likely say much about Dallas’ progress in appreciating what it has.
I looked at this building after the roof collapsed (from the public right-of-way) and am embarrassed that I hadn’t paid much attention to it earlier. It is remarkable. The form is basic, but the details and the materials are exquisite.
Underground parking in 1930 residential Dallas? Virtually unheard of.
It is in many ways the face of the adjacent neighborhood and faces a street with small multifamily buildings along the south side and single-family homes facing it from across the street. It is the cornerstone of one of those complex, nuanced neighborhoods I mentioned earlier.
It should be saved, repaired, and fixed up. In the Dallas that I think we live in today, it would be.
Keep the terra cotta roof tiles and the wood windows. Maybe do the modern air conditioning now. Don’t even think about trying to paint the brick, even though some new brick will be needed. The right landscaping would do wonders. Residents could have their homes back, and the neighborhood would be strengthened, not diminished.
I think I’ll drop the owners of Marquita Court a note and make sure they are aware of the available support, from technical and political guidance to substantial financial assistance from the State of Texas. Yes, even the Texas Legislature appreciates such buildings and is willing to step up.
Hopefully, everyone is.
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Totally agree. We walk passed this complex on our daily walks. The owner maintains the grounds. I hope it will be saved with the tile roof,etc. Updated HVAC would be nice. I had no idea there was underground parking. Primo location and value so I hope it isn’t easier to tear down than repair.
Thank you very much for your excellent coverage of this mission-critical issue. I have lived in the 5700 block of Marquita Ave since 1983, rehabbing my house from near-teardown condition. Marquita Court is a fabulous vintage building and a local landmark. It is a major factor in the charming ambiance of this neighborhood and East Dallas as a whole. I strongly urge my neighbors to mobilize and ensure that this architectural asset is restored and preserved, not lost to us!
Please share the owner’s email so those of us in thw neighborhood can also write to support saving the building. Thanks! Thor Christensen
This is a great story of appreciating, protecting and saving Dallas History. We have lost so much already and should be ashamed of it. I am a small person and feel helpless when I read about another piece of history being razed.
Thank you to everyone involved!
Norm us 100% right about this place. Not to mention that it houses 34 more affordable housing unit than will ever replace it. If the owner decides to save it, he’s going to need the city’s cooperation.
Owner is Polaris Marquita Apartments LLC/Indigo Management, Founder/President Seth Bame. Marquita Court is the 1st building acquired by Indigo after they incorporated in 2011. Phone # is (214) 865-6220. I don’t know their email address, but their website’s Contact Us page is http://www.indiomgmt.com/contact-us#contact.
I second all the support for the Marquita. Several years ago I wanted to put in an application to rent there, but Indigo Management didn’t approve since it was just a few bucks above my resources. Still unhappy about that. Thank you for this excellent article.
I’ve learned from Mr. Alston, who has been so generous with his time and insight to us at Candysdirt.com, that while the average person may view a property as “lost,” we do not know, nor do contractors. We are not preservation professionals like he is, and simply don’t have the education to determine if a building should stand. He recently told me that short of a fire, every building can be saved. I think, finally, we are seeing a shift in the comprehension of the value of historic preservation. I believe it is largely due to newcomers from older cities like New York and young people that value history and character. We can see it in those young people flocking to apartments made from our former schools on Carroll and Ross Avenue. We can see it in the East Quarter, where the rehabilitation of old buildings has created a new exciting part of town. People value character. I hope the owners of this lovely building also value character and the fact this is a beloved property with what amounts to minor damage. If they want to talk to me about their restoration process, I’d love to write about it!
I agree with the historical value of the Marquita Court building and hope the owners will invest in preserving it. That being said, I have family members who were living there when the roof collapsed. There had been scaffolding in place for several weeks in the area that eventually collapsed, but only 1 day when workers were present. The scaffolding was removed and within a matter of days the collapse happened. 31 people were displaced with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Thank goodness for the Red Cross who quickly stepped in and provided each resident with a $250 card to get a hotel room and necessities. Indio management provided some sandwiches and movers. Most of the residents had nowhere to move anything to. They were offered to move into a different Indio property but were not even given an adjustment on the new rental contract and every property available was more expensive. I’m glad to see the concern for this beautiful building, but I wish you would also think about the residents who are still dealing with the aftermath of the negligent maintenance.
I am so glad you commented here! Lower Greenville Neighborhood Association (which serves the area where Marquita Court is located) would like to do something for the displaced residents, but we have not had any way of getting in touch with any of them. Please email me at [email protected] — I would love to reach out to your family members on behalf of LGNA! Thank you.
I’d really like to hear what a structural engineer’s report says about a cause. A 92-year-old building with terra cotta tile roof. Roof framing that really wasn’t up to the task of supporting the tile? Old water damage from a leak, that weakened the framing? Also, I wonder if an engineering inspection has been performed on the other wing, to see if it’s in danger, and maybe needs bracing or reinforcement.