A more than 100-year-old building in downtown El Paso that was designed by legendary architect Henry Trost has been put on a state list owing to its history and current uncertain status.
The group Preservation Texas has selected the Krupp Building, at 119 W. Overland Drive, as one of the top ten “Most Endangered Places” in the state.
The non-profit group selected the structure due to plans announced last year to demolish it in order to make way for a new five-story apartment complex. On its website, Preservation Texas is urging the developer to keep the Krupp Building intact.
Using state and federal tax credits to help upgrade the structure, says Preservation Texas, will make it possible save a “an architectural landmark in El Paso.”
The Miami-based Meyers Group purchased the building nearly 3 years ago. In November Meyers said it wanted to transform the Overland Drive property into a new multi-use building with retail space on the ground floor, and condominiums on the upper levels.
In so doing, the Krupp Building would be leveled.
The project is officially called “Paso del Norte Residences” and will also include a 351-room hotel with a fitness center and rooftop swimming pool.
The Krupp Building, built for El Paso businessman and gas and oil explorer Haymon Krupp, originally served as a clothing and dry goods factory. In later decades the building fell into a state of disrepair and was mostly vacant.
By Garry Boulard
