The Turley Law Center -- Yet Another Fugly Building, or Is It?

All photos by Jane R. LeBlanc

Turley Law Center

So far in our quest to find the fugliest building in Dallas, we've attacked the AT&T corporate office in East Dallas and the Dallas World Trade Center building. Two strong contenders for sure. But is the next one fugly enough to take top standing?

I'm talking about the ever-popular Turley Law Center off Central Expressway and East University Blvd. Eleven stories of wonder standing proudly in University Park, it's home to the Turley Law Firm, a few private law practices, a salon and more. There are even four spaces for rent, if you need to set up shop in Big D. The building certainly stands out among the sea of steel and beige surrounding it, so it's got that going for it. From the blue windows to the blood red stripe around the top and down the corners, there's no way to miss it, even going 75 mph down the highway. But yesterday, I decided to actually pull off the highway and pay Turley a visit.

Up close.

The Turley Properties website says that the outside of the building has been recently renovated, which is good. It's one thing to be odd looking, quite another to be dirty and in need of repair. From what I could tell, it looked clean and well taken care of.

At the parking garage, I spotted these ball-in-a-basket lights lining the entrance. Not exactly what I would have gone with, but not the worst thing I've ever seen.

And, funny enough, I even found a rather pretty outside wall made of concrete, with an art deco, circles-meet-squares design. OO, Turley. Maybe I don't have you figured out just yet.

When I stepped inside, I quickly figured out who's buying all the rugs from the World Trade Center rug stores. I counted no fewer than six Oriental rugs, all laid out in the small entry way and one business' front office.

After walking around while staring at the floor and counting out loud (to some strange looks from people passing by), I glanced up at the elevator banks.

White, green and gold marble. A bit Baroque and outdated, if anything. But, like the outside, very clean.

Even the above-head lighting was clean. I'm not sure why I like these lights. Maybe it's because I hate choosing between gold and silver. Or maybe I was just happy they weren't 150-watts of death rays pointed at my pupils like most office lights. Whatever the reason, I liked them.

I started to realize that maybe the only thing actually fugly about the Truly building is, unfortunately, the part that most people see -- the strange blue windows and red stripes on the outside. Shame.

Walking back toward the entrance to leave, I half-glanced at something sitting on a table near the giant Christmas tree in the front entrance. When I turned around completely, I was met with the absolute best feature of the Turley Law Center -- a semi-erotic, brushed silver see-saw creation.

Alright, Turley. You may have won this round. I mean, the contraption even see-saws up and down when you tap it. From the woman's french fry hair to the men's synchronized ogling, it's all too much. And the best part?

Metal boob tabs.