A slice of Fort Worth history is getting a new life — and this time, it’s bound for the tourism and hospitality sector. Dallas Business Journal reported the transformation of a vintage firehouse, Fire Station No. 5, which dates back to 1911, into the Nobleman Hotel.
Located at 503 Bryan Ave. and scheduled to open its doors by mid-February or March, the hotel will boast 153 rooms and promises a meld of past and present with the original firehouse serving as the "heart" of the establishment, where guests will find the check-in desk, game spaces and The Duchess restaurant, despite the recent construction nearing its completion the original façade has been maintained with touches like repurposed fire poles and vintage staircases for a slice of nostalgia. Jeff Blackman, president of Bedford Hospitality, shared with WFAA, "It's a 110-year-old building with tremendous charm that we're restoring and bringing back to life."
The project represents Bedford Hospitality's first foray into Fort Worth’s market, but the choice of location—near the city's Medical District—is far from random. The hotel will include 32 extended-stay suites ideally suited for visiting family or traveling nurses needing longer accommodations. These suites will have kitchenettes and full-size appliances and blend extended-stay convenience with boutique charm.
Near Southside Inc. President Mike Brennan commented on the significance of the Nobleman to the local community, according to WFAA, stating, "This is really a significant sign of progress for the neighborhood." Noting the lack of hotels within the heart of the neighborhood, since then, other developers have taken interest in the area, eyeing it with development plans of their own. Adding to the neighborhood's uplift, the Near Southside tax increment financing district has injected approximately $800,000 to support the project's infrastructure needs.
Design and branding for the Nobleman Hotel are in expert hands. Florida-based KMC&A Design is working on the rooms and common areas, Dallas-based Ashlar Projects is managing branding, and Crossland Construction from Kansas is leading the construction. While the total cost wasn’t revealed, filings estimate it at around $26.5 million.
