Historic Armour Building Receives Preservation Award Following Comprehensive Restoration

The historic Armour Building, headquarters of U.S. Energy Development Corporation, has received a Preservation Project Award from Historic Fort Worth Inc. for its comprehensive restoration that honors Fort Worth's architectural and economic heritage while creating modern office space. The award ceremony on October 16 recognized the building's significance as both a historical landmark and a functioning corporate headquarters in the Fort Worth Stockyards Historic District.

Located at 601 East Exchange Avenue, the Armour Building represents one of the last remaining structures from the Armour & Co. Packing Plant complex that once dominated Fort Worth's meatpacking industry. The building stands as a testament to International Style industrial architecture and the city's rich economic development history. As the sole survivor of what was once an expansive complex, the structure has served as a hub for industrial innovation and community growth for decades before undergoing its recent transformation.

Jordan Jayson, CEO and Chairman of USEDC, emphasized the building's symbolic importance, stating that it represents Fort Worth's resilience and entrepreneurial spirit. The preservation and revitalization of this historic site allows the company to honor the city's past while contributing to its future development as a thriving urban center. The restoration project demonstrates how historic preservation can coexist with modern business needs, creating a model for other companies considering similar adaptive reuse projects.

The comprehensive remodel was led by The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company serving as general contractor and Bennett Partners as architect and interior designer. The project focused on maintaining the building's historic integrity while incorporating contemporary amenities necessary for modern corporate operations. U.S. Property Development, an affiliate of USEDC, provided consulting services throughout the restoration process and now manages the property, ensuring its continued preservation and maintenance.

To celebrate the award achievement, USEDC hosted a special Armour Celebration event on October 18 at the building, bringing together owners, team members, architectural and construction partners, and others involved in the restoration. The event provided an opportunity for attendees to share the space with their families and collectively honor the building's legacy within the Fort Worth Stockyards Historic District. This gathering highlighted the community aspect of historic preservation and the collective effort required to maintain architectural landmarks.

The recognition from Historic Fort Worth Inc. underscores the importance of preserving industrial heritage sites while adapting them for contemporary use. The Armour Building's restoration serves as an example of how historic structures can be revitalized to support modern business operations without compromising their architectural significance. For more information about the company behind this preservation effort, visit https://www.usedc.com. The project demonstrates that corporate responsibility extends beyond business operations to include stewardship of community landmarks and architectural heritage.

This preservation award highlights the growing trend of companies investing in historic building restoration as part of their corporate identity and community engagement strategies. The successful integration of historic preservation with modern business needs at the Armour Building provides a template for other organizations considering similar projects, showing that architectural conservation and corporate functionality can be successfully combined to benefit both the business community and historical preservation efforts.