Joint Media release

Media availability scheduled for Friday, Sept. 24

TEMPLE, TX (Sept. 23, 2021) – The City of Temple and Turner Brothers Development are excited to announce a project that will revitalize the Downtown Temple’s historic Hawn Hotel and Arcadia Theater.

 

“The Hawn Hotel and Arcadia Theater have been pillars of Temple’s historic downtown for nearly a century, so we are beyond excited to see that these landmarks are going to get a second life,” Temple City Manager Brynn Myers said. “There have been so many dedicated people who have worked to make this a reality, and we can’t wait to see what the end result will be.”

 

Waco-based Turner Brothers Development will transform the Hawn, Arcadia and neighboring Sears Building into an urban adaptive reuse project that will feature residential apartments, commercial retail spaces and a privately-owned and operated multi-purpose performance and events hall.

 

“Adaptive reuse refers to the conservation attempt to reuse an existing structure for purposes other than for which it was originally constructed” said Shane Turner, Partner and Broker at Turner Brothers. “We have had great success with our adaptive reuse projects in Waco, including the historic Hippodrome Theater, Madison Apartments, and Altura Lofts, and are excited to expand into Temple,” Turner continued.

 

Turner Brothers will construct 57 residential apartments in the Hawn and Sears buildings totaling approximately 45,000 square feet. These units will include one- and two-bedroom apartments. Additionally, Turner Brothers will construct commercial units totaling approximately 32,000 square feet including restored storefronts and ground-floor commercial spaces. These spaces will target new restaurant, retail and flex/office tenants.

 

“More than ever, a community’s development and economic activity are dependent on the vibrancy of its downtown and the effect it has on the character and culture of the city,” Turner Brothers Partner and Development Manager Cody Turner said. “The Hawn and Arcadia redevelopment, centered at the heart of downtown, represent a cultural landmark and a notable step in creating space for people to enjoy all this beautiful city has to offer.”

 

The project will be part of a new Downtown City Center, which will include street improvements, landscaping, signage, a downtown parking garage and more.

 

Many have eagerly anticipated a revival of the buildings since they closed in 1978. A group of residents, known as the Friends of the Arcadia, created a non-profit organization to promote and market the buildings for restoration.

 

“The vision of The Friends of the Arcadia, led by historian Robert Ozment, is now on its way to becoming a reality,” said Linda Mohlstrom, organization director. “I know I speak for all past and present board members, volunteers and former patrons of the Arcadia when I say this is indeed a day to celebrate.”

 

Construction on the Hawn and Arcadia redevelopment will begin in October and is scheduled to last about 18 months. Construction on the parking garage is expected to begin this fall and last about 13 months. All projects are expected to be complete by Spring 2023.

 

Turner Brothers would like to thank Alliance Bank and Alamo Architects for their help on this project so far.

 

For more information about Turner Brothers Development, visit tbretexas.com/development.

 

Media Availability: Officials with the City of Temple and Turner Brothers will be available to media at 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 24 on site of the Hawn Hotel, 114 E. Central Avenue.

 

 

Media Contacts:

Cody Weems
Interim Public Relations Manager
City of Temple
(O)254.298.5431 (C)254.770.8364
[email protected]

Gage Nugent
Marketing Manager
Turner Brothers
254.237.6608
[email protected]