Rising high above Deep Ellum, the Collins Water Tower stands as a testament to Dallas’s industrial past. The Continental Gin Building’s water tower has been a landmark in the Deep Ellum skyline for over a century. It is a homing beacon for Old East Dallas locals.
Imagine Dallas in the late 19th century. The city was booming. The Continental Gin Company became the largest manufacturer of cotton gins in the United States. Robert S. Munger of Dallas invented several improvements to the ginning process. He built his own plant, the Munger Improved Cotton Machine Company, in 1888. His business was absorbed by Alabama’s Continental Gin Co. in 1900. The Continental Gin Building as we know it was born.
The Continental Gin Building is part of a larger complex. The complex was built in three phases over the span of 26 years. The first two- and three-story buildings were constructed in 1888. A foundry followed in 1912. The four structures that today form the “front door” to the complex on Elm Street. One of the most significant features of the complex is the shift in architectural eras. The standard load-bearing masonry and timber construction of the late 1800s transitioned to the reinforced concrete with brick infill style of the early 1900s. The result is a long-standing relic. It displays some of the best examples of 19th- and 20th-century industrial architecture living in the 21st century.
Deep Ellum’s roots run deep. The area was settled in the 1870s by former slaves and European immigrants. Its namesake simple: Elm Street, the main road that runs through it. In the locals’ dialect, “Elm” was commonly pronounced “Ellum,” and the name still stands. With two railroad tracks, Deep Ellum offered ample work opportunities to freedmen and immigrants. The area originally consisted of two business districts. Deep Ellum and Central Track, connected by a string of shotgun houses that gave it the name Stringtown. Annexed by the city in 1890 to form Old East Dallas, Deep Ellum became a booming industry spot. Factories and warehouses began setting down roots. Some of which you can still see today.
The Continental Gin Co. experienced massive success in the early 1920s. The company was recognized for its help to the country during World War II in the 1940s. After decades of triumph, the company closed its doors in 1962. Two years later, Coerver Properties purchased the Continental Gin Building to produce elevator cars.
In 1982, The Gin became a hub for local artists. It was a place to work, live, and create in the community. Art and music are practically synonymous with Deep Ellum. The Continental Gin Building’s transition to a sort of headquarters for local artists of all kinds was seamless. Its identity as a creative haven remains prominently in many East Dallas residents’ minds.
The Continental Gin Building is a monumental piece of Dallas and Deep Ellum’s history. It was designated as a Dallas Historic Landmark. The entire complex was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This protects the structure and secures its foothold in the fabric of Dallas’ future.
Today, the Continental Gin Building has been transformed into a thoughtfully designed multipurpose space. Restaurants, retail, and coworking will collaborate to form a truly experiential destination for all. Common Desk has set up coworking across the entire second floor. The first floor consists of retail and restaurant space. On the third floor, you’ll find functional team suites and an abundance of conference rooms.
The Continental Gin Building has lived a long life of innovation and creativity. The Collins Water Tower continues to watch over Deep Ellum. It stands as a reminder of the neighborhood’s vibrant past and its exciting future.