Fort Worth Cultural District: West 7th

[Fort Worthology]

Cypress is planning a large mixed-use urban development called West 7th for the Cultural District. The project would be on several blocks bounded by 7th, University, Morton, and Foch (this includes the entirety of the Acme Brick headquarters, all of which will be demolished). It will be located adjacent to developments such as Montgomery Plaza, So7, and Museum Place.

Thus far, there has been one rendering shown - on the project's sign. Here's a photo of it:

http://fortworthology.com/blogpics/west7th1.jpg

[vman]

Cool projects!! But FW has a track record of greatly altering and downsizing projects. It will be interesting to see what these finished projects actually look like. Especially this one.

[slfunk]

It will be what is in the photo.

[Fort Worthology]

Big news from West 7th - we have our hands on more renderings and details now.

West 7th will feature 890,000 square feet of retail, office, hotel, and residential space featuring 288 residential units. 7th Street itself will be fronted by 7 story office buildings with ground floor retail.

The site plan & renderings:

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[sogod]

Very nice.

[rantanamo]

Looks good to me

[msutton]

I like it. A nice blend of the west village and park lane place.

[Fort Worthology]

They aren't wasting any time on this one. The first block has already been cleared, and dirt has started moving:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1021/1411190004_e1993434c8_o.jpg

Meanwhile, the next block is now being demolished:

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There are demo fences up around another block already, and red tape around a fourth where they are doing asbestos removal. After that, we should see the former Acme Brick headquarters demolished.

[Kelley USA]

FW has it going on!

[Mballar]

How close will this be to the T's proposed rail line?

[FoUTASportscaster]

It won't be close. The SW to NE line runs from SW FW to the Medical District, then connect to the TRE at T&P and ITC, then head up to the stockyards. The Cultural District is on the wrong side of 30 and dt for the next rail line.

[Mballar]

That's too bad. However, I think this is still a great project for Ft. Worth.

[sterling]

Does anyone know how many blocks separate this development from Museum Place? Finding it hard to picture in my mind's eye, but know the vicinity generally. Been great scoops and pics Worthology!

[Fort Worthology]

Does anyone know how many blocks separate this development from Museum Place? Finding it hard to picture in my mind's eye, but know the vicinity generally. Been great scoops and pics Worthology!

Thanks! I made a little map to show the position of the various current 7th Street projects.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1394/1438915767_aa3e850872_o.jpg

Orange - Museum Place
Blue - West 7th
Red - Redeveloped Montgomery Ward building
Yellow - So7

[sterling]

Wow, thanks for the clarification. The map shows exactly what I was wondering about regarding the massing in the neighborhood as it relates to the river. Great of you to include the other projects as well. I love what's happening there.

[Geaux Tigers]

FW has it going on!

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[sterling]

This specific area of Fort Worth has so much going on, I wish there was a category or sub-heading where all these projects could be viewed without hunting around for them. Between all these "new urban" developments and the Kimbell and Museum of Science and History expansions, my head is spinning trying to keep them all straight.

Worthology, has ground been broken yet for Museum of Science designed by the Legorretas? Can't wait to see how all this shapes up.

[Fort Worthology]

Worthology, has ground been broken yet for Museum of Science designed by the Legorretas? Can't wait to see how all this shapes up.

Not yet - however, there is now a demolition fence up around the existing Science & History Museum, so it won't be long now. The old museum must come down first (except for the Omni Theater, which will remain alongside the new museum as its own building).

[Fort Worthology]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2415/1528664463_d2936024a1.jpg

This little vacant auto glass building & parking lot on the north side of W. 7th Street across from the Acme Brick buildings rather mysteriously spawned a demolition fence and backhoe recently. There were no announcements of any new projects, and the West 7th documents Cypress put out showed that all of that project's buildings would be on the south side of 7th.

Curious, I found the address of the property and looked it up in TAD, and it is owned by none other than Cypress. It looks like they've decided to expand the West 7th project to the north side of 7th as well. It will be interesting to see what they plan to build here.

In related news, orange cones are being placed around parts of the Acme site. I imagine that it won't be long before we start to see demolition work there as well.

[KesslerDweller]

Hey does anyone know the web URL for the townhome development on 7th street across from the big multi-use building?

[Fort Worthology]

The demolitions continue, block by block.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2160/1594998696_d5371814c6_o.jpg

The Museum Place cranes watch over the cleared blocks as Taylor's Rentals waits its turn with demo crews.

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Meanwhile, across 7th, the Econo Glass & Mirror building is already gone. That didn't take long.

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[Fort Worthology]

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Cypress Equities continues demolishing block after block on 7th in preparation for its West 7th mixed-use development. In the heart of the project, one of the last holdouts - 7th Haven - prepares to depart its soon to be demolished building on the 27th (don’t worry, 7th Haven fans - they’re moving across the street from Montgomery Plaza).

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Heavy equipment is now moving in for site preparation. Fred’s can be seen in the background - one of the few buildings in the area *not* being demolished for the project.

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The former Acme Brick headquarters will be coming down soon, and crews have already been spotted doing interior demolition work.

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The asbestos removal in the former Taylor’s Rentals building at 7th & University seems to have wrapped, and early demolition work is underway. Crews have been spotted taking apart parts of the building already.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2185/1689612407_4f1c6adeaf_o.jpg

Another block in the south side of the project is cleared. For reference, this is across the street from Pop’s Safari.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2292/1689621213_a614e4729c_o.jpg

Meanwhile, across 7th, the old Econo Glass building has been completely demolished and cleared.

Cypress is not wasting time here. It looks like the first block will be seeing construction work getting underway soon.

[Fort Worthology]

Construction continues. Meanwhile, some new renderings are up on the fence - these are photos of them:

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[Kelley USA]

Wow, impressive!!!

[DallasCVB Guy]

Them some fancy LA lookin palm trees for Fort Worth!

[freewaytincan]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2007/2004072232_85591d15d8_o.jpg

Ugh. That looks like 95% humidity.

Otherwise, it all looks great.

[Spjz]

Them some fancy LA lookin palm trees for Fort Worth!
I say leave the palm trees out of North Texas. Fort Worth needs to get off its tush and get some kind of street car or light rail between the westside and downtown.

[Fort Worthology]

I say leave the palm trees out of North Texas. Fort Worth needs to get off its tush and get some kind of street car or light rail between the westside and downtown.

We're working on it.

http://fortworthology.com/2007/10/08/its-time-to-get-on-board-fort-worth-inside-the-light-rail-proposal/

[jefffwd]

A few more names have been leaked for the 'West 7th' development across from Montgomery Plaza in FW. In addition to the three story movie tavern and boutique hotel announced last week... LA Fitness, Fireside Pies, Brut (champagne not cologne), Iron Cactus, Tom Tom, and Splitsville (a high-end bowling/food thing). Splitsville looks pretty cool... www.splitsvillelanes.com :cheers:

[LongonBigD]

Splittsville looks like a nice concept, one we could use in Dallas. Always looking for a family-friendly activity near Uptown when the relatives come for a visit from the burbs! How many times can you see the Dallas World Aquarium (nice as it is)?

This looks familiar. Is this what I saw in Shrevesport (downriver from the Horshoe Casino - near the Bass Pro Shop)?

[jefffwd]

It looks to me like Tampa is the only location but I could be wrong. I hope the FW location has more than 12 lanes... Bowling and Sushi - who knew the two went together? :suave:

[freewaytincan]

Bowling and Sushi - who knew the two went together?

Every hipster I've ever met.

[msutton]

A few more names have been leaked for the 'West 7th' development across from Montgomery Plaza in FW. In addition to the three story movie tavern and boutique hotel announced last week... LA Fitness, Fireside Pies, Brut (champagne not cologne), Iron Cactus, Tom Tom, and Splitsville (a high-end bowling/food thing). Splitsville looks pretty cool... www.splitsvillelanes.com :cheers:
What the hell is up with all of these places wanting to be chains? Fireside Pies and Tom Tom in this development? Iron Cactus is already a chain, and a lousy one at that, but these things are out of control now. Honestly, for me, when a restaurant spawns a twin in the same Metro area, it effectively erases any desire I have to spend an evening there. If the saturation wasn't annoying enough, there seems to almost always be an inverted correlation between number of locations and the sustaining quality of food and atmosphere.

[lagunadallas]

Dallas should be very jealous of this. This is fantastic for Fort Worth.

[Geaux Tigers]

I can't wait for this development to open. It'll be like an affordable Victory!!

[St-T]

^It's just a copy of sh*t that has been in Dallas for a while. FW is still sloppy seconds to Big D.

[tamtagon]

^It's just a copy of sh*t that has been in Dallas for a while. FW is still sloppy seconds to Big D.

I certainly hope the Fort Worth version of the sh*t that has been in Dallas for a while comes without the acidic foppery, sophomoric fashionistas and herds of pretentious wannabes. Fort Worth doesnt really eat at the same table as Dallas, so most of those sloppy seconds end up "discretely" dropped on the floor under the table. Out of sight is out of mind until you begin to notice the terrible smell of excessive rotting garbage. :angel:

This part of Fort Worth, between downtown and the museums, contains some of my favorite neighborhoods in Texas.

The gentrification in this part of Fort Worth will probably make the streetcar/light rail link to downtown commuter rail stations a reality. The increased population density, expansion of retail/service industries, the Kimbell and Science Place expansions, and a new Amon Carter arena will generate substantial momentum calling for the efficiency of guided rail public transportation. Anyone hoping for a higher standard of living in North Texas can be very encouraged by what's happening in Fort Worth - Imagine a 5-10 minute walk/train/trolley ride from your place to a downtown TRE station, then a 20-30 minute ride to a refreshing change of atmosphere on the other side of the Metroplex. Dallas - Fort Worth door-to-door within an hour? That's great.

[vman]

Dallas should be very jealous of this. This is fantastic for Fort Worth.
Jealous of what?? Everything that might come to this development, with the exception of a bowling alley that looks like a low budget ripoff of Lucky Strikes, has been in Dallas for years. And I lived in FW, what's announced and what acutally comes to fruition is two different stories. But I am glad to see FW get some good development. The design looks awesome.

[NDtexan]

^It's just a copy of sh*t that has been in Dallas for a while. FW is still sloppy seconds to Big D.

Man, you've got no idea how sorry you sound with that post. Fort Worth is an asset to the region, and while they don't have an uptown like Dallas, they've got plenty of other stuff to be proud of (i.e. DT, cultural district, western heritage, etc.). So just drop the Dallas supremacy attitude...it doesn't help the Metroplex, and besides, Dallas isn't that cool anyway.

[vman]

What the hell is up with all of these places wanting to be chains? Fireside Pies and Tom Tom in this development? Iron Cactus is already a chain, and a lousy one at that, but these things are out of control now. Honestly, for me, when a restaurant spawns a twin in the same Metro area, it effectively erases any desire I have to spend an evening there. If the saturation wasn't annoying enough, there seems to almost always be an inverted correlation between number of locations and the sustaining quality of food and atmosphere.
You're so right about that. One of my favorite burgers places in the country, Kincaid's, is located in FW. It was usually on my list of places to stop and eat whenever I visited..and one of the places I would take Dallas friends. Another Kincaid's opened a year or so ago in Southlake, and the owners recently announced the were going to do a major expanison in the DFW area. Now that Kincaid's will be located all over the metroplex, the appeal isn't as strong, and I have one less reason to stop in FW.

[Kelley USA]

I normally eat at a place because the food is good- and not because it has the claim of being the only location... Just because a good place expands doesn't mean the food is no longer good- in most cases it just means you don't have to drive as far to get it...

On another note- Fellowship Church will be opening a location right across from Montgomery Plaza... OK, now go ahead and let the trashing of Fellowship Church and Ed Young begin (I know its coming)... Here is a link to the building they are renovating:

http://fortworth.fellowshipchurch.com/fortworth

[MarkL2023]

Man, you've got no idea how sorry you sound with that post. Fort Worth is an asset to the region, and while they don't have an uptown like Dallas, they've got plenty of other stuff to be proud of (i.e. DT, cultural district, western heritage, etc.). So just drop the Dallas supremacy attitude...it doesn't help the Metroplex, and besides, Dallas isn't that cool anyway.


Your post makes no sense either. You defend Fort Worth from the bashings of one dallasite by claiming its a valuable asset to DFW then proceed to take a jab at Dallas?

[NDtexan]

Your post makes no sense either. You defend Fort Worth from the bashings of one dallasite by claiming its a valuable asset to DFW then proceed to take a jab at Dallas?


I think it's pretty much understood that Dallas is the epicenter of the region. That being said, Dallas isn't a city oozing with urbanity or that great big city feel. It's making good strides, but it's not nearly there. The problem I had with ST-T's post was his condescending tone. Fort Worth is a nice place on its own, and a Dallasite making comments like that really reflects poorly on the city of Dallas in general and permeates all those bad stereotypes that we're not proud of. Being a Dallasite myself, I kinda take offense to that.

[vman]

I normally eat at a place because the food is good- and not because it has the claim of being the only location... Just because a good place expands doesn't mean the food is no longer good- in most cases it just means you don't have to drive as far to get it...

On another note- Fellowship Church will be opening a location right across from Montgomery Plaza... OK, now go ahead and let the trashing of Fellowship Church and Ed Young begin (I know its coming)... Here is a link to the building they are renovating:

http://fortworth.fellowshipchurch.com/fortworth
It's been my experience that when most local places expand in a region the food suffers. Read some of the reviews of some of the new Bob Chophouses that have sprung up. I think the Grapevine location got trashed by the DMN. I can understand the joy of not driving as far, but it seems destination restaurants ( and that inclues burger joints) are disappearing. I have friends that drive down from McKinney to eat at Stephan Pyles and even Fireside Pies and while they're in Dallas, they'll do other things shop, movies, concerts, etc. I can't imagine doing that when Fireside Pies opens up a location in Mesquite.

[vman]

That being said, Dallas isn't a city oozing with urbanity or that great big city feel. to that.
And FW does ?? I'm not denigrating the fine city of FW, but in comparison, Dallas defintely looks and feels like the much much bigger city of the two.

[NDtexan]

And FW does ?? I'm not denigrating the fine city of FW, but in comparison, Dallas defintely looks and feels like the much much bigger city of the two.


Dallas is obviously the bigger city. Never said it wasn't or didn't feel like it was. FW should be applauded for getting something like this going. Not bashed for having fewer infill projects than Dallas. Both cities have plenty of work to do. St-T's post made it seem like Dallas was already there. It's definitely further along than FW, but it ain't in the promised land yet. That's all I'm saying.

[msutton]

I normally eat at a place because the food is good- and not because it has the claim of being the only location... Just because a good place expands doesn't mean the food is no longer good- in most cases it just means you don't have to drive as far to get it...

On another note- Fellowship Church will be opening a location right across from Montgomery Plaza... OK, now go ahead and let the trashing of Fellowship Church and Ed Young begin (I know its coming)... Here is a link to the building they are renovating:

http://fortworth.fellowshipchurch.com/fortworth
No, it doesn't mean that, but once land acquisition and branding become the operative concerns of a restaurant and cooks begin to be hired for convenience or monetary reasons instead of real culinary abilities, the food quality does tend to suffer. It would be great if it weren't the case (and it's not always: Campisi's, in my opinion, is pretty great both on Mockingbird and Downtown), but at least in my experience, it proves to be more often than not.

[Fort Worthology]

Jeff, thanks for posting the leaked info here - I totally forgot to!

As for all the Fort Worth bashing, I have to say - *get over it.* I'm no big fan of Dallas, but I don't come and dump over everything they do and I'm glad for the strides they are making in urbanism same as I am for my home. I would expect mature grown-ups in Big D to have the same courtesy for us Fort Worthians.

Seriously - get over it and come sit at the table with the grownups. They're both great cities with their own strengths and weaknesses and neither is "sloppy seconds."

[Kelley USA]

Jeff, thanks for posting the leaked info here - I totally forgot to!

As for all the Fort Worth bashing, I have to say - *get over it.* I'm no big fan of Dallas, but I don't come and dump over everything they do and I'm glad for the strides they are making in urbanism same as I am for my home. I would expect mature grown-ups in Big D to have the same courtesy for us Fort Worthians.

Seriously - get over it and come sit at the table with the grownups. They're both great cities with their own strengths and weaknesses and neither is "sloppy seconds."

Yea, shouldn't we bashing Houston instead??? I thought we were better at that!!! : )

[msutton]

Ft. Worth is an important and very enjoyable city--especially for its size--and the architecture here is fine, certainly a move up from the homogenous strip malls in the rest of DFW, but wouldn't this be a significantly more interesting and important development if it created it's own Iron Cactus, Fireside Pies, or Tom Tom? I know I probably won't visit unless they bring something new in that sounds interesting to me.