Plans for a new restaurant and mixed-use building for Magnolia Avenue received approval from the Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission on Monday, with the condition that the developers work with city staff to revise some design details.
The project by Fort Worth developer Hatfield Properties, Arlington real estate firm Dodson Development and Fort Worth architect 97w involves a two-story restaurant and three-story mixed-use building planned for 1455 West Magnolia Ave. The developers plan to invest about $3.1 million on the project, with construction expected to begin in July and finish December 2017.
Because the project is located in the Fairmount historic district, the project needed approval from the Landmarks Commission to make sure the design is compatible with the surrounding historic architecture. The commission recommended several changes to the design, such as strengthening the buildings’ base and cornice. The developers agreed to work with city staff and the Fairmount Neighborhood Association to refine the design.
Martin Dahl, director of preservation for the Fairmount Neighborhood Association, expressed support of the project, saying the designers did a “great job” incorporating the neighborhood association’s ideas and matching the design with the area’s surrounding structures.
The project received tax increment funding worth $95,600 from the city back in April.
Garvey House and apartments
In addition to the Magnolia Avenue projects, the Landmarks Commission also approved plans to renovate part of the Garvey House on 769 Samuels Ave, as well as build apartments behind the house. The project by Fort Worth developer TownSite, Fort Worth architect Fencer Andrade and San Antonio real estate developer Embrey Parnters involves the demolition of a one-story structure at the back of the house, which will be replaced by a two-story structure.
The use of the Garvey House is yet to be determined, Fencer Andrade Principal Ames Fender said. Townsite lead development executive Phillip Poole said in April that Embrey Partners plans to use the house as an office.
About 100 feet behind the Garvey House will be a three-story apartment building. The developers agreed to work on apartment designs with city staff.
The project needs to go through the Downtown Design Review Board next in order to move forward. The date for the meeting has not been set.
The Garvey House renovation and apartment are part of a larger multifamily development that will be built around the 700 and 900 blocks of Samuels Avenue, as well as the 800 and 900 blocks of Bennett Street. The project falls inside the proposed expanded boundaries of the Downtown Urban Design District, which will come before the Fort Worth City Council in June. In April, the developers asked to have planned development and high-density multifamily zoning to accommodate the design district’s standards, and the city council approved the request.