Former KKK headquarters in Texas to become arts and healing center
Historic transformation project aims to turn site of hate into community catalyst
1Historic transformation initiative
Designed by Studio Barnes and Ch_studio, the project will convert a 35,000 sq ft building once used by the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s into an arts center. Located in Fort Worth's Historic Northside, the structure embodies 'reparative justice' principles. After the KKK vacated in 1927, the building served as a department store and pecan company until Transform 1012 N Main Street coalition purchased it in 2021.
2Architectural approach
The design team preserves historic elements like the brick facade while adding contemporary features to 'confront rather than erase' the past. Interior spaces are reconfigured with new sightlines and passageways, contrasting the original divisive layout. Landscape design draws from African, Indigenous, and Mexican Diaspora traditions. Over 195 tons of construction materials have been recycled for the project.
3Spatial program
The three-level center will house a theater, makerspaces, classrooms, dance studios, a cafe, and an outdoor amphitheater. Spaces are dedicated to communities impacted by KKK violence - Black, Catholic, Hispanic, immigrant, Jewish, and LGBTQ+ groups. A second-floor gallery will showcase North Texas race relations history and memorialize Fred Rouse, a Black man lynched in Fort Worth in 1921.
4Community healing hub
Named Transform 1012 Center for Arts and Community Healing, the project aims to foster reconciliation through arts. Led by a coalition including SOL Ballet Folklórico, The Welman Project, and activist Dr. Opal Lee. Designers emphasize transforming 'a structure defined by racial violence into a community catalyst.' The approach balances historical preservation with contemporary interventions.
5Historical context
The KKK, founded in 1860s Tennessee, became notorious for violent acts against Black communities. This building served as one of their 1920s operational centers. The project aligns with other US initiatives confronting racist violence history, like the International African American Museum. While KKK activity has diminished, the organization remains active across America today.
6Architectural details
Original brick facades are complemented with weathering steel, striated concrete panels, and perforated metal screens. Outdoor areas feature curved pathways, plazas, and lush landscaping. Space allocations to local cultural groups reflect the building's new 'unifying' mission. Sustainable material use is another key aspect, with extensive recycling of demolition waste.
7Project timeline
Transformation work is scheduled to begin summer 2027 with completion targeted for winter 2028. Special measures will preserve the historic fabric during renovation. The center's opening coincides with other Fort Worth urban renewal projects, including Lake Flato's nearby waterfront development. This timing creates synergy in the city's transformation efforts.
8Symbolic significance
The project demonstrates architecture's role in shaping collective memory. Transforming rather than demolishing historic structures offers a powerful method of confronting difficult pasts. By becoming an arts center, the site inverts its symbolic meaning from hate to healing. This approach could set a precedent for other buildings carrying similar historical burdens.