NEWS & PRESS

You can build walls. Or you can build stories.

At Two Step Farm, we’re doing the latter with help from Houston-based Old World Lumber and a whole lotta reclaimed character. When we set out to build Two Step Hall, we didn’t want just any gathering space. We wanted a dance hall that feels like it’s already been danced in. A place with rhythm in the rafters and stories in the siding.

That’s where Jason Manlove comes in. He’s the founder of Old World Lumber, Texan to the core and someone who doesn’t take the phrase “once-in-a-lifetime project” lightly.

“This is special. This is something different… I want to be a part of this.”
— Jason Manlove, Old World Lumber

The reclaimed soul of Old World Lumber

Old World Lumber began in 2015 when Jason, then a custom builder, couldn’t find the quality reclaimed wood he needed. So he started sourcing it himself. Today, his company is one of the region’s leading suppliers of salvaged barnwood, historic flooring, antique beams and rare architectural finds. Every board is carefully salvaged, de-nailed, cleaned and treated — but never stripped of character. That’s the point. “You simply cannot get the feel and the character out of modern lumber,” Jason says. “It’s just got so much history in it.”

Crafting a hall that dances with the past

Jason had never built a dance hall before, but that’s not a surprise: most of the ones still standing today have been around for generations. At Two Step Farm, we had a vision for something new that felt timeless. A space inspired by Texas icons like Gruene Hall, Luckenbach and Bellville Turnverein. A place for live music, big gatherings and the kind of everyday moments that grow into lifelong memories. Jason saw the potential right away. “All of Texas’s historic dance halls are older than I am,” he said. “This just doesn’t happen much anymore.” So we brought him in early, with one very specific request: “Jason, the dance floor has gotta be maple.” He laughed — then rolled up his sleeves.

Built to keep with the beat

You can’t build a hall with this much heart using off-the-shelf materials. Every inch of Two Step Hall was chosen for a reason: to move with the music, hold up to time and carry the weight of something bigger than wood and steel.

• The floor: Reclaimed maple from a 100-year-old textile mill in Indiana. It’s got bounce, grit and grace — perfect for boot scooting and twirling partners.
• The siding: Hemlock barnwood from Wisconsin. Weathered and resilient with stories baked into every board.
• The trusses: Built by hand right on site using nearly 2,000 pounds of steel per truss and 17 custom brackets each. These bones aren’t just beautiful. They’re built to last.

Jason estimates between 75 and 100 skilled hands will shape this hall, from steel fabricators and framers to finish carpenters and craftsmen. It’s being built by hand and built with heart.

“This place will be around long after I’m gone.”
— Jason Manlove, Old World Lumber

Nature outside, heart inside

When we asked Jason what makes Two Step Hall stand out, he didn’t hesitate. “Of all the dance halls around town, there’s not one with a backdrop like this. It feels so enveloped in nature.” That’s thanks, in part, to the hundreds of acres of trees and natural landscape we’ve worked hard to preserve. 

Inside, benches will line the walls just like in the old halls — perfect for cooling off, catching up or letting the kids crash mid-concert. Reclaimed wood doesn’t just look timeless. It sounds better too. Softer. Warmer. Just right for live music.

Keeping Texas dance hall history alive

Before honky-tonks and concert venues, dance halls were the heart of Texas communities. Built by German and Czech immigrants in the late 1800s and early 1900s, these halls were places to gather, celebrate and pass down culture through music and movement. There were once more than 1,000 across the state. About 400 still stand today — testaments to Texas’ deep musical roots.

Two Step Hall carries that tradition forward. It’s crafted with reclaimed wood, built to bring people together and made to last. (We’re even doing our part to support Texas Dance Hall Preservation.)

A dance hall worth waiting for

Two Step Hall is still under construction (set to open fall 2025) but it’s quickly coming to life. “You gotta see it,” Jason says. And if you’re wondering whether Jason can two-step? “When no one’s looking, I’m the best two-stepper you’ve ever seen.”