Fort Capital
1000 Foch St. Suite 110
Fort Worth 76107
817-887-9370
www.fortcapitallp.com
River District
www.riverdistrictfw.com
Fort Capital’s new headquarters reflects the natural characteristics of its west Fort Worth surroundings.
From flooring made from reclaimed 150-year-old longleaf heart pine to table and chairs made from a local tree trunk, the 16,500-square-foot corporate heart of the River District development makes a statement.
“We wanted it to blend in with the setting around it,” said Chris Powers, founder and CEO of Fort Capital LP, the Fort Worth-based development and investment firm spearheading the 276-acre residential and commercial community planned north and south of White Settlement Road.
Located primarily between Roberts Cutoff and Priddy Lane along White Settlement Road, the project taking shape after developers kicked things off in April. That’s when the public learned details of a development set to feature single-family homes, townhomes and apartments, as well as commercial, entertainment and retail space.
Construction on Fort Capital’s headquarters building began in early June and is expected to reach completion in early 2017 at 105 Nursery Lane. The structure is 92 percent leased, with RRIG Energy, Jetstream Oil & Gas, Flynn & Watson Architects, Tilden Capital LP, Blackwing Capital LLC and Panther City Disposal set to occupy their respective suites by March 2017.
Fort Capital plans to move its current13-person staff from the firm’s current 4,500-square-foot space at 1000 Foch St. to 3,800 square feet in the new building. The River District location will involve some office downsizing as the firm’s staff plans to grow.
“We’ll have more like 15 or 16 [associates] by the time we move it,” Powers said. “Our current space is more than we need, so the new space will be great.”
The new building is “fully framed,” Powers said, with exterior features and windows expected to be installed in late July. As for the unleased space, Powers said tenants requiring minimal signage would be most suited as lessees.
“It’s more of a private office space. It’s not a building that tenants have a lot of people coming in and out all day,” Powers said.
As Fort Capital prepares its new headquarters, Greystar, James R. Harris Partners, LVG Investments and Village Homes are busy with their own River District plans. Greystar is planning the Elan at River District apartment complex just south of White Settlement Road.
Meanwhile, Village Homes is planning single-family homes in an area called Rivercrest Bluffs. Ten of those homes will have river frontage. The homebuilder also plans 75 townhomes for the development.
Salsa Limón plans to join Lettuce Cook as the district’s second restaurant when the eatery begins serving its signature tacos in November or December, Powers said.
Instead of vacating its University Drive location, Salsa Limón is physically moving the building from 929 University Drive to 5012 White Settlement Road. The move is expected to occur in August.
Also part of River District is Crystal Springs on the River, an outdoor amphitheater and entertainment center promising restaurants, live music venues, shops and riverside access. Spearheading the project is Dallas-based LVG Investments LLC, which also has developed Stonegate Crossing in Fort Worth and North Park Plaza in North Richland Hills.
In all, three phases of development will occur before the River District is completely built out within the next decade, Powers said.
But what distinguishes River District from Clearfork, Waterside and other mixed-use developments throughout the city?
“We feel like this is a nexus of all these great neighborhoods in an area that’s been underserved,” said Powers, referring to Crestwood, Monticello, Westover Hills and Arlington Heights neighborhoods.
“If you look at all those neighborhoods and ask them, what’s your central meeting spot, your town center, where would that be? There is none. Now there is.”