646 replies to this topic

[BlueMound]

8-screen AMC theater now official:

http://www.star-tele...e134189964.html

Other restaurants coming soon are mentioned.

 

Does 8 screens sound like a small number of screens for a theater ?

[JBB]

Theaters have been scaling back in size for awhile now and focusing more on reserved seating and higher end amenities like recliners, bars, and in-theater food service.  

[Doohickie]

 

8-screen AMC theater now official:

http://www.star-tele...e134189964.html

Other restaurants coming soon are mentioned.

 

Does 8 screens sound like a small number of screens for a theater ?

 

Ha!  That takes me back to the 1960s and a two screen cinema opened up near me in Buffalo.  TWO SCREENS?  In ONE theater?  Are you kiddin' me? 

[John T Roberts]

Q Clothier and Rye 51 are headed to the Shops at Clearfork.  Below is a link to the article in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

 

http://www.star-tele...e138767068.html

[Mr_Brightside526]

On the NE corner of Acme Brick Rd & Edwards Ranch Rd they have broken ground on law offices. More small office space infill within the development.

 

Also, the drive-thru bank is about all bricked up. It has some art-deco influence towards the top. I know that goes with downtown but I'm not sure how I feel about it this far out...

[jefffwd]

The concept is high end fitted suits that range from &1,095 to $10,000.  It will also feature a complimentary whisky bar for patrons.  It will be located near the new Neiman Marcus Fort Worth.  More info below on the Star-Telegram link.

 

http://www.star-telegram.com/news/business/article138767068.html 

[Urbndwlr]

On the NE corner of Acme Brick Rd & Edwards Ranch Rd they have broken ground on law offices. More small office space infill within the development.

 

Also, the drive-thru bank is about all bricked up. It has some art-deco influence towards the top. I know that goes with downtown but I'm not sure how I feel about it this far out...

Agreed.  Drove by yesterday.  The attempt at revival architecture doesn't seem like a good fit for the location.  Decent idea, wrong spot.  Maybe the trees will conceal it. 

[JBB]

Five restaurants coming to Clearfork:

 

http://www.fwtx.com/...shops-clearfork

 

Luna Grill has a few locations around the 'burbs here.  The menu reminds me of Zoe's Kitchen.

[John T Roberts]

I look forward to trying these new restaurants.  I'm already a fan of the Press Café. (Although, it is not in the Shops at Clearfork, but just in the overall development.)

[JBB]

You can't beat the atmosphere at Press Cafe.  Or the sauteed brussel sprouts appetizer.

[John T Roberts]

The Shops at Clearfork is adding three more tenants to their list.  These three latest announcements are home furnishing retailers. The story is from Fort Worth Business.

 

http://www.fortworth...8a3f018dce.html

[Austin55]

I'm impressed. Seems like it's filling up nicely.

[John T Roberts]

It does seem to be filling up.  However, I'm wondering that with the exception of the new AMC Theater and Starbucks, if any store will be within my lowly architect's budget.  If the places are too expensive, I guess I could always just ride my bicycle over to watch the people.

[Doohickie]

That kind of echoes my wife's thoughts.  I asked if she wanted to stop in and look at the shops and she replied, "What's the point?"

[John T Roberts]

Doohickie, my cycling buddy who doesn't like anything about the new buildings and developments in Fort Worth has the same feeling.  He said that other than riding through the development, he doubts that he would ever spend any time there. 

[hannerhan]

This is the issue with virtually all new development on prime land.  Land cost is high.  Construction costs are high.  So for the investors/property owners to make money, they must charge high rent.  Thus, for the retailers to make money, they must sell high-end goods.

[cjyoung]

I like the development and plan to try every new restaurant they open.   

[Doohickie]

This is the issue with virtually all new development on prime land.  Land cost is high.  Construction costs are high.  So for the investors/property owners to make money, they must charge high rent.  Thus, for the retailers to make money, they must sell high-end goods.

 

Why is the land cost high?  Because they plan to charge a lot of money for the housing and in the retail in the development.  It's a self-fulfilling prophecy.

[hannerhan]

 

This is the issue with virtually all new development on prime land.  Land cost is high.  Construction costs are high.  So for the investors/property owners to make money, they must charge high rent.  Thus, for the retailers to make money, they must sell high-end goods.

 

Why is the land cost high?  Because they plan to charge a lot of money for the housing and in the retail in the development.  It's a self-fulfilling prophecy.

 

 

Disagree.  I can't just own a piece of land in the middle of nowhere and declare it to be worth a lot of money because I'm going to charge a lot of money for housing and retail.  That land is valuable because it's an incredible piece of 1) huge infill property 2) only 5 miles from downtown, 3) with excellent highway access and 4) scenic river frontage, 5) in a nice part of town.  The family that owns it knows how valuable it is.  So when they contribute the land into the development, they do so at a certain (high) price.  The developer is then forced to come up with a plan that makes the whole thing work even with the land acquisition costs at a high basis, and that means expensive rents.

[Austin55]

I have completely lost track of all the tenant announcements out here. Here's some more. I think? Or maybe they've already been announced. Who knows. I don't.

http://www.fortworth...5cd7ed8413.html

[Dylan]

On Monday, I rode my bike to the Clearfork retail development and walked around. As of now, the development is kind of depressing.

 

Neiman Marcus was the only place open, other buildings were fenced off, a bunch of streets were closed, and nobody else was walking around.

 

Hopefully, things will improve when new stores open.

[John T Roberts]

I wouldn't go so far as saying it's depressing.  Neiman Marcus actually jumped the gun on the rest of the development because of their lease expiring at Ridgmar Mall.  Neiman's opened just when not even all of the shell buildings were completed.  It was only later this Spring that construction started on the interiors of the first announced tenants of the smaller retail spaces.  We should just give them a little time to get all of the stores open.

[Doohickie]

I thought the same thing, PeopleAreStrange.  And by this point I would expect to at least see some signage for stores that plan to open there.  All the storefronts have generic graphics put there by the developer.  It'd be nice see, "Coming soon:  Baubles R Us" or whatever, to get some sense of activity.

[Austin55]

No announcement or confirmation on this, but there is a possibility of a Tesla dealer coming to Clearfork.  

[John T Roberts]

The Shops at Clearfork will be adding five restaurants that are new to Fort Worth.  The Business Press has the article linked below:

 

http://www.fortworth...711319adc3.html

[rriojas71]

This is the issue with virtually all new development on prime land.  Land cost is high.  Construction costs are high.  So for the investors/property owners to make money, they must charge high rent.  Thus, for the retailers to make money, they must sell high-end goods.

Sounds like robbing Peter to pay Paul. This is the reason why retail stores are suffering.

[Austin55]

Although I'm still not exactly sure where, Clearfork is planning a 2nd trailhead, which would be similar to the existing one, and consist of a building or two like the Press Cafe/Mellow Johnny site.

[Austin55]

No announcement or confirmation on this, but there is a possibility of a Tesla dealer coming to Clearfork.  

 

Star Telegram reporting on it

 

http://www.star-tele...e157607349.html

[John T Roberts]

Austin, they have filed paperwork with the TDLR for the two new retail buildings.  Their addresses are 4621 & 4629 Trailhead Bend Rd.  This should put them just to the west or southwest of Mellow Johnny's/Press Café.  I have known about these buildings for a couple of months because the last time I ate at the Press Café, I ran into a contractor who was looking at some drawings prepared by Bennett Benner Partners.  Trailhead Bend Rd. is the concrete street that sits directly in front of the existing Trailhead building and it runs parallel with Clearfork Main Street.  A part of Trailhead Bend has also been built as the street to the east side of the Texas Health Clearfork Hospital.  The road sits between the hospital and The Kelton.  The new AMC Clearfork 8 Theater will have a Trailhead Bend address. 

[johnfwd]

I have noticed lately (from my vantage point biking along the Trails) some site preparation-type work, a few metal stake poles, on the south and west sides of the property.

[Thurman52]

The west side of the development office park continues to grow. Worthington Bank looks about ready. New one story single use building under construction. They cleared by Edwards Ranch and Acme ct for the project. http://www.loopnet.c...-Fort-Worth-TX/

Further down they have rendering up of two story by rail tracks

[Urbndwlr]

The mention about land costs and construction costs is certainly true, however one would think that Edwards Ranch is the exception, at least when it comes to land cost. 

Granted, Simon Property company is in a joint venture with the Edwards Family on the Shops Clear Fork component so there is probably a land cost from Simon's view. 

Still, the cost to build a new building today is extremely high, even with free land, making it impossible for owners or developers to offer the kids of really cheap rent that most start-ups or non deep-pocketed businesses can handle. 

[John T Roberts]

Plans have been filed with the State of Texas (TDLR) for the construction of 5700 Clearfork Main St., the second six story tower next to Smith & Nephew.  The scheduled completion date is August 2018.

[Doohickie]

Plans have been filed with the State of Texas (TDLR) for the construction of 5700 Clearfork Main St., the second six story tower next to Smith & Nephew.  The scheduled completion date is August 2018.

 

They better get busy!

[johnfwd]

A thought about marketing.  Realizing that building costs are high, and that land availability in this area is suitable for horizontal construction (aside from the two six-story buildings), I wonder if a taller bank or office tower at this location would attract customers from a eye-ball perspective.  I only conjecture this because I still believe that this tract is partially and adversely obscured by the railroad tracks to the north and the Trinity River to the south and east, despite the CTP access.

[Doohickie]

A couple of 10-20 story buildings would definitely attract attention.

[johnfwd]

A couple of 10-20 story buildings would definitely attract attention.

I agree, though I don't know what the subdivision height restrictions are in this neck of the woods.  But, I note the attraction of the 12-story Bank of America building in the West Ridglea neighborhood.  Sometimes an isolated tower may be a good thing. 

 

I thought to add that, in addition to the claim that a high-rise might be an inducement for this partially obscured project, I think a case can be made for eye-catching variety in mixed-used projects.  What I mean is that, if Fort Worthians get used to all the low-profile mixed-use developments around town, they may become ho-hum in their shopping attitudes.  Wouldn't hurt for Clearfolk to be a "standout" among these projects by having a tower as a lure to customers.  Just my thoughts.

[Doohickie]

Yep, especially with a restaurant near the top.

 

You mentioned the BofA in Ridglea, I was thinking about the Western Center (BAE and... Plains Capital?) twins on I-30 just east of Ridgmar Mall.  They're also about 10-12 stories I think.

[JBB]

These developments are studied to death before a shovel of dirt is ever turned.  If there was an appreciable amount of money to be made with increased visibility and building more vertically, they would have done it.  They're not leaving money on the table in the name of some pre-conceived idea of a "low-profile" development.  The unique retail mix of Clearfork - Neiman Marcus, high end specialty shops and dining, the movie theater - those are destinations.  People with money to spend leave their house with plans to go there.  Someone from Cleburne heading into town for a trip to Six Flags isn't going to swing in for a quick bite to eat because there's a 20 story building poking up out of the trees next to the tollway.  I'm not saying they don't get walk in or walk up business, but they're not depending on it to pay the bills.

[Austin55]

A couple of 10-20 story buildings would definitely attract attention.

There appears to be a few 9 floor buildings on the masterplan on the east side.

[johnfwd]

 

A couple of 10-20 story buildings would definitely attract attention.

There appears to be a few 9 floor buildings on the masterplan on the east side.

 

Sounds plausible.  If the master plan states that the tract can accommodate up to 2 million square feet of office space, they would need plenty of space for them,either horizontally or vertically. 

 

http://www.trinityworks.net/clearfork

[Austin55]

I noticed on my Big Bend trip that all the streets in the development seem to have Southwest Texas influenced names. Marathon, Monohans and Ozona are all cities out there. Apache Plume is a type of plant which is common. Gage is probably a reference to the Gage Hotel in Marathon. Nokoni was a Comanche Indian tribe. 

[John T Roberts]

Austin, I picked up on the names, just as soon as the street signs were up in the development. 

[BlueMound]

AMC Theaters moving dirt on their lot.
Lot number H1-NIC, next to the USMD building
http://www.clearfork...com/masterplan/

[Austin55]

Some big name office tenants announced

http://www.fortworth...df9a11fd9d.html

[johnfwd]

I know new tenants have been added over the months, but these new 12 are remarkable, as highlighted in this FWBP article.  Also there's a good-looking art drawing of the project.

 

 

http://www.fortworth...8d5cb29243.html

[Doohickie]

I hope there's enough rich folk around to keep this center afloat.  I'm not pulled in by any of those retailers, myself.

[rriojas71]

I hope there's enough rich folk around to keep this center afloat.  I'm not pulled in by any of those retailers, myself.

Only time will tell. I do think that many people who may frequent the area in the future spend most of their time & money in other areas that have more upscale shopping like Southlake & Northpark.

Maybe it's time we give them some options here.

Like you Doohickie I won't be one of those who won't shop much here, but there are some places (like AMC, Press cafe & some of the new restaurants going in) that I will go to.

[pelligrini]

"creates meaningful, eco-conscious jewelry and accessories to empower the light in its consumers."  Hmm, not exactly sure what it means, but it sounds cool... LOL 

[Doohickie]

Yeah, I chuckled at that too.

 

Like one of the law firms that sponsors KERA- the firm to use "when the results truly matter."  If I don't think they matter, I'm not going to court.

 

In both cases, they don't really say anything about the company that distinguishes them from dozens of others out there.