The Texas State Fair is coming to an end year, but GSR Andrade’s work on the Centennial Building renovation is in full swing. In fact, that’s not the only project the firm has completed for Fair Park. GSR Andrade Architects has put its name to 17 projects across the 277-acre landscape, some even before the turn of the millennium. (Feel old yet?)
Project Overview:
Some of GSRA’s first Fair Park projects included the Pan American Complex renovation, the Automobile Building renovation, Fair Park Bridges, and Swine Pavilion Comfort Station. Shortly after these, the firm led a renovation in the Texas Discovery Gardens (known as the Horticultural Center at the time). The facilities included an enclosed glass Conservatory, Grand Ballroom, and a caretaker’s home.
GSRA’s renovation work continued in the early 2000s for the Maintenance Office and Games Warehouse on the Midway.
The firm is also responsible for the infamous blue shade structures all along the Midway. Working with the Fair Park Task Force and Landmark Commission, GSR Andrade designed a more stable and durable replacement to the original structures that collapsed during the heavy snows of 2010. The new structures provide shade and protection against the hot Texas sun, as well as inclement weather.
The Midway Shade Structures are large, sophisticated awning-like structures placed along the length of The Midway.
Moving along the Midway, GSRA made a splash with the Log Flume Ride renovation, which is one of the few permanent amusement rides at Fair Park. It continues the long tradition of Shoot the Chute from 1906, when rides were first introduced on The Midway. New support facilities included a complete ADA-accessible deck of cementitious wood fiber, metal-roofed pavilion, and extensive landscaping.
The last Midway stop is the Greenhouse, which GSRA envisioned to be a miniature version of the iconic Crystal Palace in London. This glass, polycarbonate and galvanized steel structure was part of the master plan for Summer Adventures. The new two-part building consisted of a 7,600-square foot greenhouse in front of an adjoining a 6,000-square foot covered growing area. From conception to completion, the project only took 8 months in 2010.
Inside the greenhouse is an educational exposition area, with demonstration sections focused on xeriscaping, North Texas water-efficient planting strategies, and Master Gardening series. Additionally, entertainment features, such as a wild birds exhibit area, a 25-foot waterfall surrounded by miniature railway trains, and interactive themed performances engage both children and adult visitors alike.
In the heart of the park sits the one-of-a-kind Cotton Bowl Stadium. Originally constructed in 1930 as a bowl into the ground, upper decks were added to the stadium in 1948 and 1949 – where the suites are currently located. GSR Andrade renovated the Cotton Bowl Suites as part of the 2008 plan, and it included suites for the executives of the State Fair of Texas, the University of Oklahoma, and the University of Texas. A little rivalry never hurt anybody!
Heading to the southern end of the park, GSR Andrade’s award-winning renovation of the Fair Park Band Shell Amphitheater is still one of its shining city projects, even 20 years later. Work included restoring the deteriorating plaster of the shell and the adjacent light towers. The lighting of the shell, originally incandescent, was replaced with a 4-tube neon lighting system. In a second phase of work, ironwood plank seating replaced the existing pine wood benches in 2002. The project won the 2000 Dallas AIA Design Honor Award, 2001 Preservation Dallas Achievement Award, and 2003 National Trust for Historic Preservation Award.
The lighting of the shell, originally incandescent, was replaced with a 4-tube neon lighting system. The intensity of the light in each tube can be adjusted to allow the band to change colors independently or in unison.
Right next to the Children’s Aquarium is the newly renovated Dallas Aquarium Education Center (Aquarium Annex). GSRA renovated this facility twice—once in 1999, and later in 2020. The latest project features restoration of the doors and window glazing, new floor finish, new wall finishes, new ceiling system and lighting, new millwork, new HVAC system, and a complete renovation of the current restroom to make it ADA complaint. Read more on our blog.
View of the Education Center at dusk with the Texas Star Ferris Wheel in the background.
Last but not least, don’t miss the African American Museum and Music Hall on your way out of the fair! The African American Museum renovations were completed in 2020, which included new exterior signage, new floor finishes, new rotunda lighting and upgraded lighting in the lobby, new mechanical systems, as well as a new security system. The 38,000 s.f. building was originally built in 1993, and it has one of the largest African American Folk-Art collections in the U.S.
The Fair Park Music Hall’s renovations also wrapped up last year. GSR Andrade added a brand-new elevator, new ADA compliant ramp at the lobby, new floor finishes, restroom renovations, and new aisle lighting inside the 3,420-seat auditorium.
If you are going to the park this weekend, take a picture with a GSR Andrade-renovated facility and tag us on Instagram or Facebook!
The Fair Park Music Hall at night.
