316 replies to this topic

[Doohickie]

I'm not sure what y'all want or expect, but I kind of like it.

[Urbndwlr]

I'm not sure what y'all want or expect, but I kind of like it.

My apologies for a lazy response last time. 

 

I think the design could be much better with some subtle changes.  The top of the building (above the windows) at the curved corner is awkward and just not right.   If I were an architect I might be able to better articulate exactly what should change. 

 

I don't feel quite as strongly about this but I think the overall design is a bit too busy.  I think the codes have encouraged this to happen, and unfortunately we have a trend of this forced business, particularly on apartment buildings.  IMO it could be simplified ever so slightly and be a more successful, durable (timeless) design. 

[SurplusPopulation]

Personally, I very much hope this is not simplified. We have plenty of buildings made of intercut, blank rectangles. I dont think all of them have to match that.

[Austin55]

Garage is up and it is gigantic

 

[Austin55]

All framed up

 

[rriojas71]

All framed up

 

That is one huge retaining wall... kinda sad that it doesn't have a more natural look or at least a bit more green, but I'm sure that was impossible to do.

[Austin55]

Aerial view posted by the dev

https://twitter.com/RocklynApartme1

 

 

[RD Milhollin]

It seems a massive screwup on the part of City Planning to not have designated a retail area with all that dense residential being build in the neighborhood. I can just imagine all the residents' cars leaving at once to get a gallon of milk (or beer) at some (relatively) distant dispensary on those little roads with very limited ingress/egress and no turn lanes... what were they thinking? A streetcar is inevitable...

[Jeriat]

It seems a massive screwup on the part of City Planning to not have designated a retail area with all that dense residential being build in the neighborhood. I can just imagine all the residents' cars leaving at once to get a gallon of milk (or beer) at some (relatively) distant dispensary on those little roads with very limited ingress/egress and no turn lanes... what were they thinking? A streetcar is inevitable...

 

I would have preferred they build most of this on Panther Island... island or not.

 

Get SOMETHING started on that land.  

 

If they had to develop that stretch of Samuels, it should have been something smaller. 

[AndyN]

As a resident of that neighborhood, I'd like to see a new bridge over the Trinity to connect to Main Street. Perhaps Greer Street to NE 7th Street. It's sheer madness on lower Samuels Avenue mornings and afternoons trying to get past Nash Elementary. One of the dumbest things the city has ever done to allow Struhs to reduce the Samuels Avenue from 4 to 2 lanes.

[rriojas71]

As a resident of that neighborhood, I'd like to see a new bridge over the Trinity to connect to Main Street. Perhaps Greer Street to NE 7th Street. It's sheer madness on lower Samuels Avenue mornings and afternoons trying to get past Nash Elementary. One of the dumbest things the city has ever done to allow Struhs to reduce the Samuels Avenue from 4 to 2 lanes.

I agree with you Andy.  I know a bridge connecting Samuels Ave to Panther Island is on the drawing board, but building it now would be optimal and help with future growth to the area.

 

You think it's busy now... wait until both of the new apt. complexes are filled and it's going to be a nightmare.  Especially because the road in only a single lan each direction.

[Johnhw2]

Im a retired resident of Plano looking to trade SFH living for condo living and Villa De Leon hit my radar. I know next to nothing about fw or this area other than I drove through and around it last weekend. I am aware of challenges this building has faced but at current market values it seems like a nice option priced below Dallas options for a mobile retiree like us. I do not see anything missing that is too far to be easy access with a retirees schedule of avoiding rush hours if they come back lol. Whats the buzz if any about this project now that it is settled into current market realitieis? No buzz at all it seems?

[txbornviking]

I can't say I've heard any negative Buzz on the De Leon project currently.

 

If you're looking to relocate we at the Forum will be certain to extend a hearty "Welcome to Fort Worth."

When my wife first moved to Texas she lived in the apartments that are in that area. Having spent a fair amount of time back there I'll say it's a nice quiet area with some good views over the river and can extend towards downtown. It was certainly a fun place to see fireworks from, and when Jimmy Buffet held a concert at the Coyote Drive-In we were able to enjoy the show from her balcony.

 

If you're looking for the "urban" and walkable vibe however, we found it lacking. Restaurants, shopping, bars, etc aren't really walkable from there. A grocery certainly isn't anywhere walkable (but all of downtown has the problem really).

 

If you're curious about the area etc, I might recommend taking a long weekend once COVID allows and stay at the Marriott TownePlace which is right there to get a vibe on the place.

[Urbndwlr]

Love idea of streetcar extension on Samuels and a bridge connecting to North Main (even if pedestrian/cycling only) - like the Tilley Bridge. 

 

I like the density and energy that is happening along there and have wondered at what point there are enough consumers to justify a little neighborhood C-store.

I think there are (or were) a couple of small pieces of property around there that could conceivably be a little 7-11 or something - like the one on 7th Street in Museum Place is a nice model (with or without the apartments upstairs).  I love that little building, for the record. 

 

One major improvement over the last few years has been the improved connection between Samuels and the core of Downtown.  There are still several surface parking lots to pass, but the sidewalks have been widened, trees planted, and at least one traffic signlal, making it easier to cross Belknap & Weatherford. 

[renamerusk]

Im a retired resident of Plano looking to trade SFH living for condo living and Villa De Leon hit my radar. I know next to nothing about fw or this area other than I drove through and around it last weekend. ...

 

 First, a big welcome to the Fort Worth Forum.

 

Wow, a single drive into town and you are ready to resettle here; that is fantastic.  What was it about Fort Worth that struck your fancy?  Some of us here lament about the lack of awareness of our city even among its regional neighbors and it is refreshing to read that some awareness get beginning to take place.

 

I would also encourage you to log in to the FWF often if not daily as it is among the best resource of information about Fort Worth and the varied lifestyles which you can have for your family here.  Through the FWF, you will be aided by the quality of answers that you can received to make your decision where you may ultimately make your new home.

 

Good luck and hope you will be very happy living here.

[Johnhw2]

We are still in the exploring stage but like what we see of FW so far.  We are up in years and have maybe one more voluntary move left in us lol. We are classical traditionalist style wise so Villa appeals to us interior and exterior wise. Got some decent size units in it as well. We are looking forward to moving forward if all the stars align for us. Thanks for the thoughts and well wishes.

 

We both grew up in small town Oklahoma but since college at OSU have lived in cities. Houston, Pittsburgh, NYC metro on N NJ side and now Plano. I like the size of DT FW as we are suburban people and like our shopping and daily conveniences in West Plano. We have a small yard which we enjoy working on when we feel up to it but can see it is quickly outgrowing our ability to handle. So looking for a simpler living option of mid rises. I am not a fan of the modern buildings and units all over Dallas and also see the value in Villa exceeds the Uptown Dallas and other near DT Dallas options. We like moving and meeting new people. We are home bodies so we need a large unit in that we are home alot and get some company to come stay with us so size matters to us more than most.

 

We are excited about seeing if this might be our best option and worth the hassle of moving.

[renamerusk]

Except for a full service urban grocery store (Sprouts), Downtown and Samuel Avenue neighborhood are an excellent choice.  If you wanted also to retain close ties to your friends in Plano, then a resident near to the FW Central Station is perfect in that you can ride TRE to Dallas and then take DART to Plano all in one seamless trip.

 

I might also suggest the W7th Neighborhoods that have a full service grocery store, dining options and great amenities such as museums, parks, etc.

 

I will put money on your family choosing Fort Worth Central as your new residence.