With the first phase of the Fort Worth Convention Center expansion complete, the city is moving on to the huge second phase of the project.
Courtesy of the city of Fort Worth
The second phase of the Fort Worth Convention Center expansion is expected to be completed in early 2030.
The $606M second phase of the expansion and modernization will demolish the convention center’s arena and replace it with a four-story structure and a ballroom. The convention center’s existing exhibit space and meeting rooms will also be renovated.
The expanded facility will feature more than 257K SF of exhibit hall space, 60K SF of meeting space, a 74K SF ballroom and 16 loading docks.
“The Phase 2 expansion positions Fort Worth to not only attract more conventions and meetings, but also to deepen engagement with downtown businesses and residents,” Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker said in a statement.
Preparations for the demolition of the nearly 60-year-old convention center arena will begin this summer, with the building to be torn down in early 2027.
The convention center’s design was led by Atlanta-based architecture firm TVS and Fort Worth-based Bennett Partners. The first phase’s construction manager at risk, a joint venture of AECOMHunt, Byrne Construction and EJ Smith Construction, will continue in the role for the next phase. Broaddus & Associates and Elements of Architecture will provide project management.
SALES
H-E-B bought a 91-acre tract in Terrell near Interstate 20 and FM 148, according to the Dallas Business Journal. The San Antonio-based grocery goliath bought the property from Mountain Top Ventures LP in December.
LEASES
Courtesy of Granite Properties
With the new tenant signings, 23Springs is 74% leased.
Granite Properties and Highwoods Properties announced two new lease signings at 23Springs in Uptown Dallas. Global wealth manager UBS leased the entire 20th floor, totaling more than 26K SF. UBS will move into the building this summer. UBS was represented by Robbie Baty and Bill McClung of Cushman & Wakefield.
A confidential tenant also leased 22K SF on the 10th floor of the building and plans to move in during the third quarter. CBRE’s Harlan Davis, Phil Puckett and Steven Berger represented the tenant. Granite’s in-house leasing team of Robert Jimenez, Burson Holman and Elizabeth Fortado represented the firm in both deals.
CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT
Wan Bridge will launch the rental home community, The Reserve at Red Oak, on almost 18 acres in Red Oak. The built-to-rent community features 166 homes, with a grand opening planned for the first quarter.
***
Fort Worth-based commercial construction company Hasen will start work on an adaptive reuse project at the former Oncor Building in downtown Fort Worth in the next 30 to 60 days. The project will convert the 300K SF office building at 115th W. Seventh St. into a 330-unit multifamily property.
The mixed-use project will also include existing ground-floor restaurants and retail. Work is targeted to be finished within two years. Hasen is the general contractor on the project, working with development firm 3L Real Estate, which bought the building in 2023. Bennett Partners will lead architecture and design efforts for the conversion.
***
Ashton Woods Homes announced the master-planned community Wildflower Ranch in Justin and the townhome community The Pointe at Capp Smith Lake in Watauga will each open in February.
***
The Bonham Economic Development Corp. announced the 78-lot Asher Oaks residential development will be built on around 27 acres by D.R. Horton. Construction on the Bonham project is scheduled to begin in late February, with the first home closings expected in May and all lots completed by 2028. Asher Oaks will be developed by Asher Land Development. Hammett Excavation Inc. will serve as the general contractor.
***
Courtesy of StreetLights Residential
The H-shaped configuration of StreetLights Residential and Mitsui Fudosan America’s building was designed to maximize natural light and views.
StreetLights Residential partnered with Mitsui Fudosan America to develop a 20-story luxury multifamily high-rise at the southeast corner of Park Lane and U.S. Highway 75 in Dallas. Construction on the project will begin this month and is expected to deliver 365 units in early 2029.
FINANCING
CBRE debt and structured finance arranged a $23.3M refinancing for a six‑property medical office portfolio in Texas, Arizona and Ohio. The 130K SF portfolio features three DFW properties and ones in Houston, Phoenix and Toledo, Ohio. The portfolio is 95% occupied.
CBRE’s Davis Edwards and Farhan Kabani arranged the financing on behalf of Dallas‑based healthcare real estate investment firm HealthCap Partners. The refinancing consolidates the six assets into a fund structure supported by a single-credit facility.
PEOPLE
Citadel Partners hired Alexa Bode as director of marketing. With more than 10 years of experience, Bode will lead brand strategy and marketing initiatives for the corporate real estate advisory firm.
***
Cynthia Sanchez Serrano was named director of the city of Fort Worth Public Events Department and will lead the second phase of the Fort Worth Convention Center’s expansion and modernization project. Sanchez Serrano succeeds Mike Crum, who will remain with the city in a part-time advisory capacity for the next several months as deputy director. Sanchez Serrano has 26 years of experience and will also continue as general manager of the convention center until the end of 2026.
***
GPLA Structural Engineers and Builders added Safa Masajedian as the company’s structural project manager. Masajedian is a licensed professional engineer with extensive experience delivering healthcare and data center projects.
***
American Beacon Partners added Tim McGeeney as head of product development. McGeeney will lead American Beacon’s product development strategy and oversee the entire product development life cycle across the firm’s platform. He has more than 25 years of experience in financial and investment services, portfolio construction and due diligence.
THIS AND THAT
The Urban Land Institute will present its 2026 Vision Award to Woodbine Development Corp. founder and chairman John Scovell. He will receive the award during the eighth annual ULI DFW Impact Awards Gala on April 2 at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science.
***
Susser Bank appointed Southern Methodist University President Jay C. Hartzell to its board of directors.