Future Home of the new City of Amarillo City Hall


A three-story, rectangular, reinforced concrete loft structure with a flat roof. Ornamen tation is achieved with an economy of means and materials but is complex and effective. Slightly recessed industrial sash and glass block windows and banded horizontally with dark brick panels. Remaining light colored concrete wall surfaces between window bands are grooved with parallel groups of deep incisions that articulate and texture the walls. The corners are treated with sharp vertical facets that rise the height of the building. The main entrance is cut through a recessed wall of glass block whose base reflects a rising staircase. An inlaid red and black glass logo above the entrance cuts through smooth wall, grooves, and dark
brick panel in a striking flourish. The lettering of the company name across the parapet is part of the design of the building.

The Amarillo Hardware Company, a wholesale company was founded in 1904 by I. J. Tolleson and
Boyd Clark and originally operated out of a onestory building at 403 Polk Street. From 1907 to 1952 the company was run by Edward W. Hardin. This building was constructed in 1938. After the original contractor went broke, Walter Wirtz finished the job.

The building will be eligible for listing on the National Register when it reaches 50 years of age on the grounds of the Amarillo Hardware Company's longtime role in the city's economy and the design of the building. The building is an unusually fine example of the American industrial architecture of its period and it is one of the best buildings by local architect Guy Carlander.Source: Amarillo Historic Building Survey, Charles Hall Page and Associates, Inc. March ,1981.