Whether it is a large warehouse, first built for the mail-order catalog company Sears, Roebuck & Company in the early 1900s, and repurposed as a 500 – unit loft complex in downtown Dallas, or a former shopping center in Austin that found new life as a community college, “adaptive reuse” of buildings has become the new mantra for urban planners.
While the term became popular among architects and commercial builders in the 1970s, the concept has been around since the ancient cities of Rome, Athens and London.
What This Means for You — Adaptive reuse is the process of refurbishing a building for purposes other than those for which it was originally built. These projects serve as a means of extending buildings’ operational lifespans by updating them to better address the economic and social needs of their respective communities. If you are a commercial builder or tenant of these buildings, this process has ramifications far beyond mere brick and mortar.
Buildings constructed of brick have many advantages over other construction materials for adaptive reuse because of their structural durability and resistance to fire and climate damage. To learn more about brick construction, watch this video:
Credit: Tyler Olson / Adobe Stock
Erin K. Peavey, with the Dallas firm of HKS, Inc., is a self-described “Health & Well-being Architect + Researcher + Advocate and Social Health Nerd.” She is an articulate voice about the power of design for human connection.
Peavey is widely published in mainstream media such as “Psychology Today,” “The New York Times,” “Fast Company,” and others, and her LinkedIn page offers a wealth of information on topics such as adaptive reuse of commercial spaces.
In a recent post, she noted, “In dense urban environments, adaptive reuse isn’t just practical—it’s powerful.” She pointed to the lowly laundromat. “These laundromats are serving as social anchors in communities where traditional gathering spaces are limited.”
“In cities like Brooklyn and beyond, formerly utilitarian laundromats are being reimagined as vibrant third places—where daily errands meet coffee, live music, and community engagement.”
Citing case examples of this adaptive reuse, Peavey highlighted:
Laundry & Latte – Brooklyn, NY
A hybrid laundromat and café serving specialty coffee and bites in a bright, cozy space—perfect for remote work, casual hangs, or folding fresh laundry with a latte in hand.
Spin Laundry Lounge – Portland, OR
An eco-conscious laundromat with two locations, one in a converted 1951 warehouse featuring energy-efficient machines, free biodegradable soap, a full café/bar, retro arcade games, lounge areas, and pop‑up events that blend laundry with hospitality and sustainability
Peavey adds, “These examples go beyond aesthetics. They reflect a deeper shift in how we use space”
✔️ Multi-functionality
✔️ Flexible programming
✔️ Human-centered design
✔️ Local business support
Sears, Roebuck & Company Warehouse in Dallas, originally built starting in 1913 and featuring Acme Brick. The building was redeveloped as Southside on Lamar, a residential loft complex. Credit: Acme Brick Company
It is not a coincidence that many commercial buildings that have been reimagined for different purposes than they were originally designed were constructed from clay brick.
Brick construction offers several advantages for adaptive reuse projects due to its durability, longevity, and aesthetic appeal. It can be a cost-effective and sustainable option, as existing brick structures are often structurally sound and reusing them reduces waste. Brick also provides good thermal mass, contributing to energy efficiency, and is a naturally fire-resistant material.
Specifically, buildings that are constructed with brick offer several benefits for adaptive reuse. According to NetSuite and other sources, these include:
The Armour Building, a 50,000-square-foot, three-story property in the Fort Worth Stockyards has been redeveloped by U.S. Energy Development Corporation. The building, built in 1902 features Acme Brick from our Bennett Plant.
The City of Galveston’s 30th St Water and Electric Light Station was adapted as a community center. The renovation was recognized with the Brick Industry Association’s Brick in Architecture Award as Best in Class: Historic Preservation. Architect: The LaBiche Architectural Group, Inc.
According to Green Building & Design (GB&D) magazine, “For as long as buildings have existed they have been repurposed and reused to fulfill roles other than those they were originally intended for; in that sense adaptive reuse isn’t a particularly modern concept.
“Adaptive reuse as part of the sustainable building design movement, however, is a much more recent notion—one born out of a concerted effort to maximize development space and reduce the consumption of natural resources.”
An excellent example of this concept is found at 1227 West Magnolia Avenue, in Fort Worth, Texas. Plus, upon inspection of the original brick, it turns out the current Magnolia Centre was constructed with brick manufactured by Acme Brick. The current property manager of this historic structure, Nancy Medford, explains its history, which began 100 years ago.
Credit: Byrd M. Williams, University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History; UNT Libraries Special Collections
“The Magnolia Centre was originally designed by architect J.B. Davies, opening in 1925 as the Southside Masonic Lodge. The building was later renovated and rebranded as the Magnolia Centre in 1986. The owner at that time was Ray Boothe, a local architect who has spent years working in the near Southside area of Fort Worth renovating commercial properties.
“When we remodeled the first-floor lobby, we removed all the flooring Ray had installed 20 years prior and the original floor was still intact. In the “vault” (where Acme Brick is exposed), there is an example of some of the mosaic tile that was on the first floor. The original Masons’ symbol was intact near the west door. The exterior door handles and the awning over the west door are original to the building. You can see the Masons’ symbol on each.
When asked how the building’s brick walls have held up over the past century, current owner Tim Bates said, “The brick still looks as vibrant as it did 100 years ago, if we had to guess. There is something about a great brick installed well that is timeless. This brick has served the building well over the years and has helped mitigate the extreme Texas temperatures. It keeps us warm in the winter and keeps it cooler in the summer!”
Over the course of reconfiguration of the interior rooms in this building, were there any challenges caused by the brick construction? The current owner said, “We’ve not modified any exterior walls, and the building is steel framed, so it has made altering the interior layout very easy. The exterior is incredibly solid. When we added the second story of our office, we were able to connect a steel beam to the exterior walls.
“Because of the historic designation of the building, we can’t make changes to the exterior façade without getting approvals. Thankfully, the building was so well built and has such great curb appeal that we haven’t wanted to change the exterior.”
What started as a Masonic lodge in 1925 is now home to a wide range of enterprises – from architectural and marketing firms to real estate and law firms, to non-profit foundations. All enjoy the convenient location and charming ambiance of this excellent adaptive reuse property.
Transforming original factories, shopping centers, warehouses and, yes, even Masonic Lodges into vibrant living and working spaces with modern amenities allows owners and tenants of these buildings to be connected to the former glory of the past in spaces that encourage connectivity among current colleagues. This is part of the genius of adaptive reuse.
The history of architecture is replete with examples of adaptive reuse of structures that have been reimagined for another purpose. For thousands of years, brick has been an important part of that history. For more information on brick construction, talk to one of the experts at Acme Brick.
