Katy Building Explained

Katy Building
Location:701 Commerce Street Dallas, Texas, 75202
Coordinates:32.7785°N -96.8056°W
Completion Date:1914
Building Type:Commercial offices
Roof:30.18m (99.02feet)
Floor Count:8
Owner:Novel Coworking
Management:Novel Coworking
Architect:H. A. Overbeck
References:[1]

The Katy Building is an eight-floor historic building located in downtown Dallas' West End Historic District at 701 Commerce St. The Katy Building was constructed from 1912–1914 for Dallas businessman Col. John M. Simpson. For over 50 years, the 57,500-square-foot building served as the headquarters for the Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad (MKT),[2] which gave the building its name (Katy, short for KT).

The seven-story, terra cotta and masonry building was designed by H. A. Overbeck in the Beaux-Arts/Historism style. It featured fire proof construction, office spaces, and a power plant in the basement. Although the MKT occupied most of the building as their headquarters, rental space was available for other businesses as well.[3] While the interior of the building has been extensively renovated over the years, the historic character of the building has been preserved.

Current use

Workspace provider Novel Coworking purchased the Katy Building in 2014 and renovated the building's interior to provide private offices and co-working space for entrepreneurs and small businesses that need flexible, short-term workspace.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Katy Building, Dallas | 229713 | EMPORIS. Emporis. January 30, 2016.
  2. Web site: Missouri – Kansas – Texas Railway Company Historic Building in Downtown Dallas. significanthomes.com. January 30, 2016.
  3. Brown, Steve. (August 15, 2006). "Investors Buy Katy Building". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  4. Danielle Abril (June 12, 2015). "Level Office to open coworking space at historic Katy Building in Downtown Dallas". Dallas Business Journal. Retrieved January 26, 2016.