The Dallas Public Library was hailed as “ultramodern in every respect” when it opened in 1955. It was built on the site of the freshly demolished, stately and fantastical 1900 Carnegie Library, and like that building, would be found outgrown and inadequate in a few decades. It was vacated in 1982, and has stood empty since, huddled against the Statler Hilton, two faded 50’s marvels set adrift amongst a sea of phantom buildings, long since leveled for surface parking.

Stairs lead up to the third floor, and down two levels underground. The basements contain an auditorium and a fallout shelter, among other things.