The historic Stockyards Hotel and H3 Ranch restaurant next door will close temporarily in April to undergo a comprehensive renovation exceeding $30 million, Stockyards Heritage Development Company announced on Thursday.
H3 Ranch is anticipated to reopen in late 2026, with renovations focused on kitchen and back-of-house infrastructure alongside a refreshed dining room experience that reflects what guests and locals have loved for decades. Stockyards Hotel is expected to reopen in early 2027 with a design that tips its hat to a defining era in Stockyards history, translating the past into present-day form through extraordinary experiences, unmatched comfort, and Texas-sized hospitality.
“The decision to renovate was made with great care and respect for what these properties represent,” said Kristin Assad, COO of Stockyards Heritage Development Company, in a statement. “Stockyards Hotel and H3 Ranch are part of the fabric of the Fort Worth Stockyards and this meaningful investment positions them to continue serving today’s travelers while honoring their role in the district.”
The properties will close April 6.
Stockyards Heritage Development Company, the developer behind the Mule Alley and Hotel Drover, is a partnership between Majestic Realty Co. and the Hickman Companies.
Stockyards Heritage Development Company bought the properties in 2022.
The Stockyards Hotel was restored in 1984. It sits at 109 E. Exchange Ave., a block west of Cowtown Coliseum.
Tom Yater and Marshall Young of Cleburne led a restoration in 1984. Before that, the property was a flophouse called the Right Hotel.
The hotel was said to have hosted Bonnie and Clyde or maybe just Clyde Barrow. One history suggests Barrow stayed there by himself and Bonnie Parker stayed down the street. They conceivably split so that if the law showed up at either hotel, the duo wouldn’t be completely out of business. Or perhaps the pair together might set off suspicions about who they were.
The adjoining restaurant was renamed H3 Ranch in 1998 as an homage to the pioneer family of restaurant executive Robert Hunter McLean.
In 1873, brothers Robert, William and David Hunter founded Hunter & Evans, a livestock commission company with offices in Fort Worth, Illinois, and Kansas City. By 1884, the brothers owned and leased more than 11 million acres of land and 386,000 head of cattle. Among the holdings were three ranch operations under the “H3” brand.
“Stockyards Heritage Development Company has played a major role in the revitalization of the historic Fort Worth Stockyards as well as the continued evolution of the city’s Western legacy and tourism growth,” said Rick H. Kline III, Majestic Realty’s president of operations for the Fort Worth Stockyards. “We will bring this care and understanding to the enhancement of Stockyards Hotel and H3 Ranch, ensuring their stories continue to be written for generations to come.”