Today we’re looking back at our 1999 MEP renovation of the Flatiron building in Downtown Fort Worth. This historic building was built in 1907 to emulate New York’s Flatiron building, and is now the only survivor of the early skyscrapers of the area. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Texas History Registry, and the Local Registry.
BHB’s mechanical and electrical engineers worked with the architect to modernize the building’s power, electrical distribution, HVAC, and plumbing systems while also bringing the building into compliance with current codes. The design for this 17,000 SF, seven story building included a new chilled water/boiler 4-pipe HVAC system including tenant billing and the installation of new fire pump. Chillers for the HVAC system are located on the roof of an adjacent hotel to minimize impact on the Flatiron building; the hotel’s 2-pipe system was also converted to 4-pipe. With a restaurant planned for the first floor, two of the upper floors were finished out as a single apartment with a grand stair between the two levels, while the remaining floors were prepared for apartments to be leased. The first floor reopened in 2003 as an event space, which can be rented for a wedding reception, party, business meeting, etc.
