It took 296 pounds of dynamite to turn a historic, aging building into one of the most high-profile development sites on Fort Worth's near south side.
"There’s certainly buzz about the property," said Mike Brennan, incoming president of Near Southside Inc., an organization involved in the redevelopment of the area.
Brennan says it's not often a parcel this large-- and this accessible to major thoroughfares-- comes available in urban areas.
"It will be a pioneering project in many ways because we haven’t seen a whole lot of new development right in this area," said Brennan of the area near Pennsylvania and Summit/8th Ave.
So what will it be? That's yet to be seen. The property's broker, Austin Reilly with Land Advisors Organization, said in an email Monday, "This site represents one of the best redevelopment opportunities in all of DFW." With the building, the site was reported to be worth about $13 million.
"The options are almost limitless," Brennan said. "The zoning allows for great flexibility as far as land uses. It could go residential, it could go commercial, it could be a mix."
Brennan points out this location already has some of the most prestigious neighbors in this entire area, including the Thistle Hill historic home which sits exactly across the street. Jerre Tracy, with Historic Fort Worth Inc., hopes developers are sensitive to all the historic homes in the immediate area.
"Those are important buildings that have been there long before what will be replacing the Westchester House, so we have to hope for something spectacular," Tracy said.
Victor Wakileh, who's run the garage across the street for 25 years, welcomes the change.
"Either apartments, condos, business," he said of his hopes for future projects. "Hopefully something good to bring this area up."
Reilly says to expect a nationwide campaign when the site officially hits the market within the next 60 days. He did not reveal the listing price.