FORT WORTH (WBAP/KLIF)- 100-year-old landmark in Fort Worth now has a new purpose.
Saigebrook Development and Accolade Property Management opens Cielo Place at 3111 Race Street in Fort Worth, a project of historical and community significance.
“The neighborhood really rallied around saving the historic church and not losing that for the community,” said Lisa Stephens, President of Saigebrook Development.
This mixed-income housing community in Central Fort Worth is a new expansion and reimagination of the historic Riverside Baptist Church, initially designed and built by architects Easterwood and Easterwood in 1924 and expanded in 1951 and 1958.
Over the decades, the building has played an essential role within the community. The newest iteration, Cielo Place, is a residential community consisting of more than 90 units and fully furnished clubhouse spaces including a community room, business center, leasing offices, fitness center, cyber lounge, and outdoor spaces inclusive of a playground, community pocket parks, gathering spaces, and bicycle parking. The official opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony of
The journey from the vision of redevelopment to opening the doors of Cielo Place was lengthy, but Saigebrook Development and consultant, O-SDA Industries, took painstaking steps to uphold the historical significance of the building and ensure its continued legacy in the neighborhood. From the last-ever church service for Christmas Eve 2018 to achieving a historic designation through the National Register for Historic Places in late 2020, the community has supported the project, becoming advocates for preserving the landmark buildings and ensuring this beloved structure survived. The project has been met with open arms by residents who feared the historic significance would be wiped out and replaced by expensive housing or office buildings. Instead, this affordable housing development marks a significant shift for a neighborhood that’s faced climbing housing costs, pricing out many who have lived in the area for decades.
“Cielo Place provided a unique opportunity to preserve history while creating new opportunities for the community. A lot of hard work and care went into the development plan and it presented a variety of learning opportunities for our team. As we peeled back the layers of this building—painstakingly preserving and restoring the woodwork, stained glass windows, light fixtures, and structural components—we also peeled back layers of history and learned so much about the history of this church, and the community that has gathered here over the years. It is an honor for us to continue the legacy of that community, and to build a new mixed income community where 91 families can call the Riverside Baptist Church home,” said Stephens.
Cielo Place will consist of 91 total units with a mix of studio (550 sq ft); one-bedroom, one bath (650sq ft); two-bedroom, two-bath (850 sq ft); and three-bedroom, two-bath (1050 sq ft) options. Saigebrook Development tapped Miller-Slayton Architects and Interior Design firm Ink & Oro to preserve and maintain the integrity of the stunning historical architecture and design and infuse it with modern amenities. Many small and intentional elements were kept and restored throughout the building to harken back to its original purpose and design. The thoughtfully preserved design elements include the church’s original stained glass windows, even within the residential units, light fixtures, classroom numbers, and exterior facade.
As a centerpiece for the community’s common area, several rows of pews from the original sanctuary, the original altar and baptismal, along with the stained-glass window behind it are untouched. Cielo Place will make the clubhouse available for neighborhood requests and needs – continuing to invite the neighborhood into this little piece of heaven. The excitement and pent-up demand is palpable as Accolade Property Management pre-leased 100 percent of the building in about 60 days, showing the need for affordable housing is critical in this neighborhood.
