Gothic Beauty

1501 Main Street (viewed from Akard)

This gothic gem was built in 1928 and sits at 1501 Main Street.

Brick Brutalism

Among some of Dallas' "finer" bits of architecture, include this modern loft condominium built in 2000 in a red brick variant of of post-modern brutalist style.

More information can be found at www.1999mckinney.com.

Modern Facade

The new office space at 1999 McKinney has a nice, modern finish to it. It's all formed metal, giving it a nice industrial feel. Of course, so does the exposed brick on the back of the building.

The modern courtyard, parking, and entrance area.

The not-so-modern, original brick of the building on the side.

The John Fitzgerald Kennedy Memorial

Dallas certainly got a bad rap back in November 22, 1963. So, in order to help boost the city's image and show the world that Dallas really does like Democrats (sorry, had to get a little political humor in here), the JFK Memorial was erected in 1970.

The memorial was designed by architect Philip Johnson to be a cenotaph, or open tomb, intended to symbolize Kenndy's spirit. Its precast concrete walls stand 30 feet high and encase a 50 foot by 50 foot area. In the center is a marble slab carved with "John Fitzgerald Kennedy" and embossed in gold.

Outside, on the North side of the plaza, is a square, granite memorial marker engraved with:

The joy and excitement of John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s life belonged to all men. So did the pain and sorrow of his death. When he died on November 22, 1963, shock and agony touched human conscience throughout the world. In Dallas, Texas, there was a special sorrow. The young President died in Dallas. The death bullets were fired 200 yards west of this site. This memorial, designed by Philip Johnson, was erected by the people of Dallas. Thousands of citizens contributed support, money and effort. It is not a memorial to the pain and sorrow of death, but stands as a permanent tribute to the joy and excitement of one man’s life. John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s life.

A view of the memorial and "Old Red", the Dallas County Courthouse.

A view of the inside of the cenotaph.

The "memorial stone"

Another view of the inside, showing just how much of the skyline is hidden.

Close up of one of the round "Lego" decorations.

Of course, as with any architecture in Dallas, there is always bound to be some criticism. The architectural critic, Witold Rybczynski, felt that the design did not do justice to the memory of JFK, and likened the precast concrete walls to "mammoth Lego blocks."

Visit it and decide for yourself if it is a fitting tribute, or just some giant Lego blocks slapped together. No matter what, it's sure to elicit some sort of an emotion from you.

Angular

Angles in architecture always tickle my fancy. Add in some reflections, and maybe a little chrome, and I'll be extra tickled.

There will be more pictures like this. It's just who I am and what I like.

Thanksgiving Square

Thanksgiving Square is officially located at 1627 Pacific Avenue, but to put it into better perspecitve, it is bounded by Pacific Avenue to the South and Bryan Street and North Ervay Street to the North, making it a triangular oasis in the center of downtown Dallas. Built in 1976, it was originally planned as a "traffic relieving complex" for the city, and while the Bullington Truck terminal and pedestrian network is underneath it, the main thing to see if the park and its non-denominational chapel.

One of the plaques found throughout Thanksgiving Square.

 The Chapel of Thanksgiving was architected by Philip Johnson as a small, spiral tower for the urban pilgrim to find a peaceful enclave for prayerful thanks. It is accessible from either a spiral ramp originating at the Northern tip of the square, or from a 125 foot bridge spanning one of the square's waterfalls accessible from the middle of the square.

Thanksgiving Chapel and the waterfall.

Thanksgiving Chapel in front of Republic Center

A view up the bridge leading to the chapel.

The stained glass inside is truly a sight to see. Designed by Gabriel Loire of Chartres, France, it spirals from outside in, from dark to light, and is one of the largest horizontally mounted stained glass installations in the world.

Gabriel Loire's "Glory Window"

Pictures do not do the stained glass justice.

Further information can be found from the Thanks-Giving Square Foundation