by Meliza Aguilera, Fort Worth Report
July 7, 2026

One year ago, Cullen Yards opened its doors with a vision: to create a Fort Worth event venue that felt elevated, flexible and full of character, while still offering the thoughtful support needed to bring major celebrations to life.

Since then, the space has become home to weddings, galas, corporate events, concerts, quinceañeras, nonprofit gatherings, private parties and entertainment industry celebrations. From full-room wedding transformations to production wrap parties for Landman Season 2 and The Madison Season 2, Cullen Yards has spent its first year proving that it is more than just a beautiful venue. It is a place where events are thoughtfully planned, seamlessly executed and remembered long after the last guest leaves.

Now, Cullen Yards is inviting the Fort Worth community to celebrate that milestone during its One-Year Anniversary Open House on Saturday, July 18, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guests are invited to tour the venue, meet local vendors, enjoy food, music and a welcoming afternoon inside one of Fort Worth’s most versatile event spaces. Whether you are newly engaged, planning a corporate event, searching for a holiday party venue, organizing a fundraiser or simply curious to see what Cullen Yards has become, the Open House is the perfect time to experience the space in person.

(Courtesy Image | Cullen Yards)

A Venue Shaped by Fort Worth Visionaries
Cullen Yards was not created by accident. It was shaped by a group of Fort Worth partners who saw potential in a longtime industrial property and imagined something more for it. Partners Gus Bates Jr., Kyle Poulson, Jared Shope and Ricky Stuart brought together deep local roots, business experience, real estate knowledge and a shared connection to Fort Worth. Their backgrounds span entrepreneurship, commercial real estate, insurance, hospitality-adjacent ventures and family business leadership, giving the project a practical foundation from the beginning.

The building itself had been part of their portfolio for years before becoming Cullen Yards. What once served industrial purposes became, over time, a property with possibility. Its high ceilings, open footprint, sturdy structure and private parking made it a natural candidate for something larger than storage or traditional commercial use.
The missing piece was the right person to bring the event vision to life. That person was Graciela Todd.

With years of experience in hospitality, catering and large-scale event service, Graciela brought the operational knowledge needed to turn a promising building into a functioning event venue. Her background helped shape not only how Cullen Yards would look, but how it would work; from vendor flow and catering logistics to guest experience, event timing and day-of execution. Together, the partners and Graciela created a venue that reflects both sides of a successful event: the beauty guests remember and the behind-the-scenes planning that makes it all feel effortless.

A Fort Worth Space With History, Character and Room to Transform
Cullen Yards sits inside a building with deep Fort Worth roots. The space carries the character of its industrial past through high ceilings, open floor plans, exposed materials and architectural details that give every event a strong sense of place.
Rather than covering up that history, Cullen Yards was designed to honor it.

The result is a venue that feels both timeless and adaptable. A wedding can feel romantic and intimate. A corporate event can feel polished and professional. A concert or wrap party can feel energetic and immersive. A nonprofit gala can feel elegant, organized and personal. The space gives each client room to create something that feels distinct to them.

At the center of the venue is the Grand Hall, an expansive indoor space designed for ceremonies, receptions, galas, dinners, concerts, corporate events and large-scale celebrations. With its open layout and flexible design, the Grand Hall can be transformed to match each client’s vision, whether that means dramatic florals, custom lighting, a dance floor, lounge seating, staging or a full seated dinner. Beyond the Grand Hall, Cullen Yards offers an outdoor garden, covered pavilion, prep kitchen, private suites and private parking, allowing events to move smoothly from arrival to cocktail hour, ceremony, dinner and dancing.

Built for More Than the Pretty Moments
Beautiful photos matter, but great events also depend on what happens behind the scenes. Cullen Yards was built with the reality of event production in mind.
The venue offers the Grand Hall, outdoor event areas, a covered pavilion, a dedicated prep kitchen, vendor-friendly access, private parking and private getting-ready spaces. These amenities help support everything from catering logistics and vendor load-in to guest flow, weather backup plans, lighting, sound and layout options. These details may not always be the first things guests notice, but they are often the reason an event feels smooth, comfortable and well-planned.

For weddings, Cullen Yards can support ceremony placement, reception flow, cocktail hour, photo locations and vendor timing. For corporate events, the venue can accommodate guest arrival, stage placement, audiovisual needs, catering flow and branding opportunities. For private celebrations, galas and social events, the space can be transformed into something personal, polished and completely unique. The goal is simple: make the planning process feel less overwhelming and make the final event feel intentional from start to finish.

A First Year Filled With Celebrations
In its first year, Cullen Yards has welcomed an incredible range of events. The venue has hosted weddings, receptions, showers, quinceañeras, chamber events, corporate gatherings, entertainment industry celebrations and private parties of all sizes. Each event has shown a different side of the space.

Some clients have filled the Grand Hall with dramatic florals, custom lighting, music and dancing. Others have leaned into the venue’s natural light, open space and architectural simplicity. Some have used the garden for cocktail hour or photos, while others have transformed the Grand Hall into a full-scale celebration from start to finish. That flexibility is part of what has helped Cullen Yards become a standout Fort Worth venue in just one year. No two events have looked exactly alike, and that is the point. Cullen Yards gives clients a strong foundation, then allows their vision, vendors and personal style to shape the final experience.

(Courtesy Image | Cullen Yards)

Not Just a Venue, Expertly Guided Events
Cullen Yards was created for clients who want more than a rental space. The venue team works closely with hosts, planners and vendors to help bring each event to life with clarity and confidence. From the first tour to the final walkthrough, clients are guided through layout options, vendor recommendations, timeline needs, setup plans and the many small decisions that come with planning a successful event.

This is where Graciela Todd’s event and hospitality background continues to shape the Cullen Yards experience. The team understands that successful events depend on both creative vision and careful coordination. They know that guest arrival, vendor access, catering timing, room layout, lighting, sound, parking and weather plans all matter.
At Cullen Yards, clients are not expected to figure everything out alone. The team is there to help think through the details, offer guidance and create an event experience that feels organized, intentional and personal.

Why the Open House Is the Best Time to Visit
Photos can show the beauty of Cullen Yards, but walking the space is what makes people understand it. During the Open House, guests will be able to see the scale of the Grand Hall, experience the natural light, explore the indoor and outdoor areas, meet vendors and imagine what their own event could look like inside the space.

It is also a chance to ask questions in person. Guests can learn more about availability, rental options, layouts, amenities, vendor flexibility, guest capacity, private parking, setup windows and how the Cullen Yards team supports each event.
For anyone actively planning a wedding, holiday party, corporate celebration, fundraiser, gala or private event, this is a valuable opportunity to see what is possible before booking a private tour or securing a date.

Celebrate With Us on July 18
Cullen Yards is proud to celebrate one year of opening its doors to Fort Worth, and even more excited for what is ahead. The past year has brought unforgettable weddings, meaningful community moments, major celebrations and events that have transformed the space in ways big and small. Next year will bring even more.

Join Cullen Yards on Saturday, July 18, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for an Open House celebrating the one-year anniversary of its grand opening. Guests can tour the venue, meet vendors, enjoy food and music, and experience firsthand why Cullen Yards has quickly become one of Fort Worth’s most exciting spaces for unforgettable events.
Whether you are planning a once-in-a-lifetime wedding, a corporate milestone, a holiday gathering, a nonprofit event or a celebration of your own, Cullen Yards is ready to help bring it to life.

Open House Details
Saturday, July 18 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cullen Yards
2412 Cullen Street
Fort Worth, Texas
Visit: www.cullenyards.com
Call: 682.225.7762
Email: graciela.todd@cullenyards.com

Book a private tour or join us at the Open House to see why Cullen Yards is where Fort Worth comes to celebrate.

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