508 Park Avenue

The Stewpot/Community Ministries of First Presbyterian Church of Dallas acquired 508 Park Avenue and the adjacent properties. Originally constructed as a film distribution center for a predecessor of Warner Brothers, 508 Park Avenue has garnered national and international attention due to its unique history. It is one of only two locations where legendary blues musician Robert Johnson recorded, and later, Eric Clapton recorded there in homage to Johnson. As a rare example of Zigzag Moderne architecture in Dallas, designed by the New Orleans firm responsible for the Louisiana State Capitol, the building holds significant architectural value. 

First Presbyterian Church aims to restore and revitalize 508 Park Avenue into an active, habitable space. The proposed program elements include a museum of street culture, classrooms, offices for church programs and community partners, painting and ceramics studios and gallery, a recording studio, and a multi-use event space with a roof terrace. GFF completed the restoration design of the building’s exterior, focusing on structural stabilization, window restoration, building envelope, and roof replacement. 

Additionally, GFF designed a new outdoor amphitheater north of 508 Park to provide a new downtown performance venue and a community garden south of the building, operated by patrons of The Stewpot. This project, now part of Encore Park, aims to bring together art, music, and social services, creating a vibrant community hub in downtown Dallas