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Warehouse districts develop and transform over decades. a lot of metropolises have thriving historic districts that were once the center of the local industry. A Houston Public warehouse or a Houston 3PL business may one day become a different neighborhood. That has been the case for many cities across the nation. New York has the West Chelsea and the emerging Meat Packing District. Cleveland has a thriving community in its old warehouse district. Texas has its share of thriving communities in former warehouse districts. Dallas created the the former warehouse district now called the West End.

Warehouse districts develop and transform over time. Many cities have thriving historic districts that were once the the hub of commerce. A Houston Public warehouse or a Houston 3PL business might become a different neighborhood. Thats what occurred in many cities across the country. New York has the West Chelsea and the emerging Meat Packing District. Cleveland has a fashionable neighborhood in its old warehouse district. Texas has its share of thriving communities in former commerce centers. Dallas developed the the former warehouse district now called the West End.

The area was initially established by Caddo Indians who where farmers that lived in the area on the western age of the pine forests that spread all the way to the Atlantic. The Trinity River provided ample water for the fields. Later, John Neely Bryan would set up a trading post by the river|on the banks of the Trinity River. Big Red, a court house, was built and now houses a museum. One of Dallass first jails was established in the area. It now houses lawyers who are who are using it, with some sense of irony, as an office. The original trading post and the development of the area would lead to major decisions that would transform what would be the West End of Dallas into a major industrial center.

The Texas & Pacific Rail Road laid tracks through the town and crossed the Texas Central Rail Road. An important distribution center was born and many warehouses were contructed. The West End became a central commerce hub that thrived until after World War II when interstate highways and trucking had an adverse affect on the area. In decline, some visionary citizens organized a project for revitalization. Like so many warehouse districts, there existed the possibility for conversion and reassignment of use. Zoning restrictions limited the height of buildings in the area helping to save structures from demolition and replacement by high rises. The zoning also relegated the use of signage and lighting to promote the historic atmosphere of the area.

Dealy Plaza is located in the West End. It received unwanted notoriety in the 60s with the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Since that time several museums, including the JFK Memorial Museum, The Conspiracy Museum, and the American Museum of Miniature Museum opened their doors. Many restaurants, galleries and shops reformed the district making it a destination. The West End Association, created with volunteers, work with the business community to develop plans to improve the district and give other destination neighborhoods a run for their money. Currently the Taste of Dallas holds its festival in the West End every July. The West End offers other events through out the year.

Warehouse districts across the country are being transformed to exciting new uses. With foresight and vision, dieing neighborhoods can see new life and become beautiful and exciting neighborhoods. Old warehouse spaces offer great renovation opportunities for new restaurants, art studios, galleries, living spaces and stores. Many are already transforming into revitalized centers as artists seek places with low rent and ample space. A smart development plan can take advantage of the changing function of a once vital part of the city. The West End in Dallas stands as a model for other cities looking to revitalize their downtown.