Landmark Garland building part of downtown redevelopment

The city of Garland is teaming up with a Dallas developer to redevelop a downtown block.

GroundFloor Development will repurpose a 57-year-old office building as part of Garland’s historic downtown renovation plan. Built as a home for Garland Bank and Trust, the five-story building at 111 S. Garland Ave., was most recently occupied by Chase Bank.

In partnership with the city, GroundFloor Development will convert the office building and adjoining properties into a mixed-use project called The Draper. The development will include retail and office space, 155 apartments and 25 townhomes on the six-acre site.

“An important part of The Draper is to bring the Garland Bank and Trust building back to life,” GroundFloor founder Brandon Bolin said in a statement. “We are excited to preserve this part of Garland’s history and to play a part in the renewal and revitalization of Garland’s downtown area. Partnering with the city, we hope to see this historic building put to new and innovative use.”

The development will include apartment use of a former cafeteria building site plus construction of the townhomes on land previously used for a motor bank.

The midcentury modern-style office building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Draper project adds to Garland’s efforts to revive its traditional downtown district. The city just celebrated the opening of its renovated Downtown Garland Square.

“The Draper exemplifies what Garland is about: redeveloping areas in need of new energy while highlighting the history and authenticity of Garland,” said Ayako Schuster, director of Garland’s Economic Development Department. “We’re happy to provide support to GroundFloor on this project, especially as it complements our recent bond project and redesign of our Downtown Square.”