Chase Building Garland Tx. (Dallas, Center: real estate, homes, schools)

[Jay Watson]

I have posted about this on the Dallas Historical Forum however I thought the information should be shared here as well. Does anyone remember the Chase bank building in Garland TX? The building is located at 111 S. Garland Ave. At five stories tall I believe this is the tallest building in Garland. If you are coming from Dallas down Garland Ave. you can see the building from quite a distance. Does anyone remember what the building was when it first opened or the year that it opened? I know it opened in the early 1960s due to the architecture of the building which was typical during this period (1950s-early60s), the building was most likely the first office building of its kind in the city. The building also features limestone rock throughout which is also used in the Hall of State at Fair Park. The building is located in downtown Garland not near the Resistol Hat Factory, some of the homes surrounding the area are close to one hundred years old. If anyone has any information please post here.

Thank You

[ETex2]

I want to say that it was the site of the First National Bank of Garland, that was originally located in the old Garland Shopping Center at the north end of the complex. But I'm not positive. According to Dallas Central Appraisal District records, the building was constructed in 1965. My parents used to bank at the original location then switched briefly to the newer location before switching to Southern Bank and Trust in Ridgewood Shopping Center.

[Jay Watson]

ETEX2;
I have also checked DCAD. 1965 seems a little to late due to the style and architecture of the building, I want to say 1962,or '63 but I'm still not sure. The buildings mid-century design is more 50s and early 60s. By 1965 buildings had become more "modern" and the sleek space-age design was out. Its to bad we tear down the old for the new just because its old. Maybe you could ask your parents the exact date First National moved to this location.
Thanks

[ETex2]

Originally Posted by Jay Watson

ETEX2;
I have also checked DCAD. 1965 seems a little to late due to the style and architecture of the building, I want to say 1962,or '63 but I'm still not sure. The buildings mid-century design is more 50s and early 60s. By 1965 buildings had become more "modern" and the sleek space-age design was out. Its to bad we tear down the old for the new just because its old. Maybe you could ask your parents the exact date First National moved to this location.
Thanks

That would be kind of hard, since they have both been gone for many years. As a commercial real estate appraiser, I find DCAD records to be fairly accurate. I was last inside that building maybe 3 or 4 years ago; it's more dated on the inside than on the outside.

[MaryS80]

I can't recall the exact name but it was something like Garland Bank, or First Bank Of Garland. I know about 10-15 years ago when is was a Bank One branch you could see the the ghost sign of the old lettering/name. I grew up in the area, but during the 90's, my parents used to bank there, I've been inside the bank a few times. I would estimate it to be mid to late 50's based on the exterior and what I can recall of the interior. The Garland Historical society has a website you may be able to get some info there or try the Nicholson Library downtown.

There is a another bank building on Gelnbrook and Avenue B or Avenue D that is almost as tall. There is another building on Broadway that is considerably taller, also a bank I believe.

[Jay Watson]

In some of the previous posts on this thread I have mentioned how I do not believe that the Chase building is as new has people believe it to be. The building was most likely the first of its kind in the city and 5 floors was pretty tall for the early 1960s. The building has a unique mid-century look to it very common to buildings of the 1950s and early 60s. One obvious example is the windows, the first picture is of the Chase building the second is of a similar but larger building in Los Angeles California built in 1955. They both feature the same type of architecture and building design. The building in Los Angeles is Parker Center the former headquarters of the LAPD, they have since moved to a new headquarters. We know that this building was built in the mid 50s, but we are still not sure about the Chase building.Look at the two buildings and you can see they are not exactly alike but they are from the same era. Let me know what you think or if you have any other information on the building.

Thanks,
JH

[Mister Nifty]

Originally Posted by Jay Watson

ETEX2;
I have also checked DCAD. 1965 seems a little to late due to the style and architecture of the building, I want to say 1962,or '63 but I'm still not sure. The buildings mid-century design is more 50s and early 60s. By 1965 buildings had become more "modern" and the sleek space-age design was out. Its to bad we tear down the old for the new just because its old. Maybe you could ask your parents the exact date First National moved to this location.
Thanks

You know, I want to be real careful with what I say here being how sensible people have become and all. But we don't really tear down buildings unless it can be proven that they were built by evil, white men. Such old buildings have been deemed to have no social redeemning value. I think we are all in agreement on this.

[Jay Watson]

This picture is of the building right next to Chase. It has been many things over the years since it was built in 1962. Most recently it was a "Steak Angus" Restaurant. Before that it was Chinese food. Does anyone remember what it was when it opened in 1962? It looks like it could have been one of the Grocery Supermarkets of the day. It is actually a very cavernous space. When the Chinese Restaurant was there it only occupied a small portion of the space, the rest was advertised as a Banquet/reception area. Currently the building is vacant.Thanks for any information!

JH

[MaryS80]

I believe there was once a Safeway on Main between 10th and 11th. The building is still there, the city owned it fro a few a years and had a science center there for the school kids. It would have been just a couple blocks down from where the former Kroger sits.

The is well before my time but I believe the Kroger or maybe some other grocery store was a little further up Forest lane in the 50's or 60's, perhaps that is where.

Roach feed and Seed is still open and doing well on the edge of downtown by the train tracks.

[Jay Watson]

For all interested in buildings of this kind and mid-century architecture, check out this: Meadows Building
article on the Meadows building in Dallas. The Meadows building opened in 1955 and is truly as this article states one of the best examples of 1950s buildings/architecture in the city. I think its great that in Garland we have are own mid-century building, Chase. The Meadows building is know throughout the city of Dallas, while Chase is thought of by most as an ordinary office building. However if your interested in these buildings from the 1950s and early 60s, you notice things unique characteristics others wouldn't. Here are just a few of the unique characteristics of the Chase building in Garland;

1. The lobby as well as the front entrance of the building feature Limestone rock columns. This type of rock is also seen at the Hall of State in Fair Park.

2.The buildings windows. Buildings of this kind all have the utilitarian long line of windows similar to the ones used in schools. Not trying to be fancy just practical. In many cases they were meant to be opened because many of these type of buildings didn't have air conditioning originally.

3. The elevators. While these might seem like typical elevators any building might have, take a look at the gold metal surrounding the either side of the doors. The whole interior of the lobby seems to have this color theme throughout. This is heavy duty metal not plastic.

I could go on, but to keep the interest I will stop here. If anyone has anything to add do not hesitate to post it. I welcome your opinions,ideas, and questions. Enjoy the article.

JH