City of Tyler Mayor Don Warren talks to guest at the Wilcox apartment buildings grand opening on Tuesday. (Katecey Harrell/ Tyler Morning Telegraph)

The historic Wilcox building sat abandoned and deteriorating for decades, creating an eyesore for passersby downtown. Today, it has been redeveloped into 31 luxury apartments.

“This is an entryway to downtown and what do people see? They see this building,” City of Tyler Mayor Don Warren said. “This is a big start for the rest of the revitalization of downtown.”

The complex, located at 230 S. Broadway Ave, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening on Tuesday. Residents, stakeholders and elected officials enjoyed refreshments, heard remarks and toured units.

The Wilcox, initially constructed in 1956 and designed by architect Carl E. Wilcox, served as the Cooperative Savings and Loan Association Building until it was abandoned. Since the groundbreaking in March, it has undergone a complete transformation.

NORF Companies, a New Orleans-based real estate firm, converted the Wilcox into the first multifamily project downtown. The company will also redevelop The Fair, The Lindsey, and The Carlton, marking their first projects in Texas.

“Our specialty is mixed-use multifamily redevelopment, specifically historic redevelopment,” Hernandez said. “Our specialty is trying to take in buildings that were previously hotels, offices and redevelopment into residential apartments.”

At The Wilcox, spacious and contemporary one and two-bedroom units come in six unique layouts, offering downtown views and pet-friendly living.

“The building had really good bones,” Alex Hernandez, co-founder and managing partner at NORF Companies, said. “Buildings like this are a shame to tear down and demolish. They don’t build buildings like this anymore. The structural integrity of the building was sound. So really what you go back with is modern finishes and amenities.”

The Wilcox meets the latest green building standards, featuring high-impact windows and a window glazing system that allows abundant natural light into the units.

The apartments feature LED lighting, linen closets, roller shades, in-unit washers and dryers, shaker cabinets with quartz countertops, spacious bathroom vanities, stainless steel appliances, built-in microwaves, fiber internet and an outdoor common area.

Downtown has been undergoing revitalization for the past five to six years, said Amber Varona, City of Tyler Main Street director. This continued focus on redevelopment is shifting the area’s dynamic from a business and office orientation to a more residential one.

In May 2022, a new 68.9-acre historic district was created within downtown. This designation provides additional tax incentives for developers of historic properties, according to Varona, enabling a faster pace of downtown revitalization.

“When we went forward with trying to get that historic district, it was to show some focus on some of these sorts of buildings, allowing them to get some tax incentives through state and federal programming,” Varona said. “We are really excited because that was one of our goals.”

The increase in residential buildings will bring more families and pedestrians, leading to greater foot traffic and the introduction of new amenities downtown.

“Downtown is right in the center … a mile between the new medical schools and medical district, the Rose Complex Center, all of that we’re right in between,” Varona said. “Now having the historic aspect of a building coming here, it shows hope, I think for the other historic properties.”

One challenge in redeveloping a project like this is setting market rates for the apartments, which are necessary for bank financing appraisals. With no comparable properties to guide appraisals, the Wilcox project provides a benchmark for future developments.

This is why NORF Companies began with the smaller project before moving on to The Lindsey, which will have about 60 units, and The Carlton, which will have about 100 units.

Hernandez explained that the project was started first to demonstrate that the targeted rents in downtown can be achieved, and so far, they have.

More families, couples, and students are coming to downtown to stay and be part of its vibrant atmosphere. This influx is expected to benefit local businesses and enhance the overall advocacy for downtown’s ongoing developments, Varona said.

“We’re really excited that NORF was able to succeed, and we hope it’s going to be a great addition to downtown,” Varona said. “[The buildings] tell the story of Tyler, you can’t get this building in any other city. We love seeing it revitalized.”