In-Person Shopping Thrives in Fort Worth as Retail Spaces Fill Up

The Buzz Around WestBend

Let’s break it down, folks. Trademark Property Co., based in Fort Worth, can’t seem to rent out their space fast enough. We’re talking about WestBend, located on Fort Worth’s University Drive. It’s the place to be, hosting trendy spots like y&i clothing boutique, Indochino, and Mod + Jo. Yes, you heard right, their retail component is 100% leased. Not too shabby, huh?

"WestBend continues to shine as Fort Worth’s shopping and dining hotspot," beams Daniel Goldware, Trademark’s leasing guru. The place sprawls over 160,000 square feet of retail heaven, offering everything from swag to nosh spots. Oh, and did I mention it’s perched next to the Trinity River? Yep, that’s the charming backdrop you can expect here.

Artistry and Future Plans

Way back in 2016, WestBend underwent a face-lift. New retail, snazzy restaurants, and a hefty 81,150-square-foot building sprouted up, hosting some sleek Class A office spaces. To make life even more colorful, Trademark rolled out a public art program with gems like Laura Kimpton’s Love sculpture.

But wait—there’s more! With retail demand skyrocketing, Trademark’s cooking up something fresh. Get ready for WestBend’s second phase, featuring a seven-story, 300-unit multifamily complex. It’ll host 4,500 square feet of commercial space, a bike repair station, and oodles of public art. Read more about Trademark’s expansion plans here.

Retail Outlook: Big Picture

Trademark’s not the only player in this game. The Dallas-Fort Worth area is riding a retail high, with a record occupancy rate of 95.2%. No small feat in today’s market, right? Check out Weitzman’s report for more juicy details.

Unpacking More Westbenders

Let’s venture a bit south to Benbrook, where Jackson-Shaw has rolled the dice on four new leases at Chisholm 20. This business park’s a beast, sprawling 917,374 square feet. Who’s moving in, you ask?

• TeaBevCo: Occupies a tidy 76,839 square in Building 1.
• Mooring: Got 62,391 square feet for disaster recovery and construction.
• Aaron’s: Living large with 170,509 square feet.
• U.S. AutoForce: They swaggered in with a hefty 174,000-foot lease in Building 3.

These guys are essentially transforming the area, a whirl of activity that’s worth keeping an eye on.

Brick by Brick Reimagined

Acme Brick Company’s been busy, folks. They’re jazzing up their Bennett Plant in Parker County. This plant was named after Acme’s origin story dude, George Bennett. With a multimillion-dollar overhaul underway, its production capacity is getting a 35% boost. This revamp took a speedy three months and now, it’s melded history with today’s vibe. Oh, and did I mention, Acme’s a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary?

Defense and Depth

Meanwhile, over in Benbrook, Prim Construction’s laying down the bricks on a swanky new 85,000-square-foot facility for WilliamsRDM. If defense gears you up, this spot near Lockheed Martin is your sweet spot. CEO Melissa Williams Hoskins is over the moon about this expansion, promising a hub for innovation. Exciting times, wouldn’t you say?

Honors and Highlights

Ernst & Young crowned Ben Rosenthal and Ashli Rosenthal Blumenfeld of Fort Worth’s Standard Meat Company with its prestigious Entrepreneur Of The Year 2024 National Award. This recognition follows a win on the regional stage. Amidst a clan of 214 regional winners, being picked is no small potatoes. Read more about their impressive win here.

Deals That Click

Downtown Fort Worth’s bustling with momentum. First Inversion just scooped up Divine Art Ltd., sealing a bond that’s been brewing since 2014. It’s all part of a cunning plan that’ll see First Inversion’s CEO, David Weuste, stepping in as Divine Art’s head honcho.

Close by in Haltom City, Lambert’s Ornamental Iron hooked up with new ownership through Lambert Forge LLC. Tim Andres is ready to amp things up, and the word on the street is all employees are sticking around for this exciting new chapter. Check out Tim Andres’ LinkedIn for insights.

Hey, got something sizzling for the Bob on Business column? Drop a line to Bob Francis at bob.francis@fortworthreport.org. This cat’s the business editor over at the Fort Worth Report—keeping things real and objective. Curious about how it rolls? See their editorial independence setup here.