1960s - Present

Early 1980’s

Glazer’s relocates their corporate headquarters from 508 Park.

1980s – 2000s

For 30 years, the building remains vacant. On occasion, the building was vandalized or broken into by thieves looking for copper or other items.

2003

A local Dallas band, Code Blue, gets permission to record in the vacant 508 Park building. They recorded the material for their CD at the back of the first floor in one marathon 23 hour session while it was snowing and sleeting outside and without any heat in the building.

2004

Eric Clapton, while in Dallas to hold the first Crossroads Guitar Festival at Fair Park, spent time at the 508 Park building filming himself and Doyle Bramhall, II, performing Johnson’s music on the third floor of 508 Park. This was released as the DVD, "Sessions for Robert J."

2011

The Stewpot of First Presbyterian Church of Dallas purchases the 508 Park building (right) along with the old Columbia Pictures building (left) and launches the 508 Park Project.

2013

Encore Park Dallas, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, is formed to carry the project forward (including the renovation of the 508 Park building) and to champion the Encore Park Community, a co-located collaborative community of nonprofits founded by The Stewpot and First Presbyterian Church of Dallas.

2014 – 2015

Encore Park Dallas completes the first phase of the project by constructing the 508 Amphitheater on the north side of the building, completing the majority of exterior restoration of the 508 Park building and removal of Glazer era interior improvements. The Encore Park Community Garden was launched on the south side of the building.

2024

Phase 2 of Encore Park is scheduled to begin including the restoration and construction on 508 Park Ave.