Designed by New York architect Edward F. Sibbert, the five-story Kress building served the “five-and-dime” chain from 1936 through 1960 and was one of the only major construction projects in Fort Worth built using private money during the Great Depression.

[3] Following the relocation of five-and-dime business to a shopping center, the Kress Building housed Heritage Hall (a museum), a religious display, two women’s clothing stores, and the offices of Continental National Bank.

[5] In 2001 the Club relocated to the larger basement of the tower to make room for a growing audience; the Fox and Hound sports bar took over the street level space.

The multimillion-dollar project met a considerable financial and logistical challenge early on when a contractor blocked an incinerator shaft.

Dubbed the “Kress Mess” and “Nightmare on Houston Street” by the local press and animal rights activists,[7] 1,800 bats perished while hundreds more, hungry and terrified, flooded through the Hyena Comedy Club and Fox and Hound restaurant, causing thousands in damages and inciting chaos.