133 replies to this topic

[bclaridge]

Major demolition work underway in connection with the new Apple Store. The back wall is still fully-intact:

 

I'm still wondering what's going to happen with the former Gap space, if Apple isn't going to occupy it. Given how crowded the current UPV Apple Store gets, I honestly hope they take the former Gap space too, but if they don't, I'm sure Simon has found another tenant. Space next to an Apple Store is prime space, no question about it.

[FortWorthian]

Those white signs "We're Hitting Refresh" and "Nothing to See Here *Yet*" are pretty telling aren't they?

[bclaridge]

Those white signs "We're Hitting Refresh" and "Nothing to See Here *Yet*" are pretty telling aren't they?

They definitely are telling!

Since I already know Apple is going in to the space they demolished, the big mystery for me (as I've mentioned time and time again) continues to concern the former Gap space. Aritzia will probably end up at Clearfork based on the rumors I'm hearing, so I should be able to rule them out, although I did hear from someone at Alo Clearfork that Aritzia was looking at both University Park Village and Clearfork (and would locate in one of them).

I'd love to see something like (the rebranded) Abercrombie & Fitch, or another fashion retailer that would be popular among the TCU set for "everyday" wear. Aside from A&F, Aritzia and Vuori are among the only such major retailers that don't currently have Fort Worth locations; Lululemon is already at UPV, and Alo is at Clearfork. That's assuming that Apple doesn't just take the entire space, which could easily happen. A&F does talk about reducing the amount of store locations on their website, so I don't really see them trying to expand at the present time; I know A&F has cut back on physical stores from the time of their popularity peak in the 2000s (before they rebranded in the 2010s) through the present.

[FortWorthian]

Project Description:

Faherty- Blade Sign

One Illuminated D/S Blade Sign- Faherty

 

https://aca-prod.acc...ShowInspection=

[bclaridge]

I'd love to see something like (the rebranded) Abercrombie & Fitch, or another fashion retailer that would be popular among the TCU set for "everyday" wear. Aside from A&F, Aritzia and Vuori are among the only such major retailers that don't currently have Fort Worth locations; Lululemon is already at UPV, and Alo is at Clearfork. That's assuming that Apple doesn't just take the entire space, which could easily happen. A&F does talk about reducing the amount of store locations on their website, so I don't really see them trying to expand at the present time; I know A&F has cut back on physical stores from the time of their popularity peak in the 2000s (before they rebranded in the 2010s) through the present.

Abercrombie & Fitch will be returning to Fort Worth with a new store at University Park Village, as per this new TABS filing: https://www.tdlr.tex.../TABS2025005426

The address (1540 S. University Drive) and square footage (5,281 sqft) both seem to suggest that A&F will likely occupy the former Gap space. UPV tenants between Anthropologie and Eatzi's have the 1540 S. University Drive address; the only possible space for A&F within that area, unless a current tenant were to end their lease, would be the former Gap. The TABS filing says that work on A&F will not start until March 2025, so there is the possibility that another tenant could leave between now and then, but for the sake of simplicity I'm assuming A&F takes the former Gap. 5,281 square feet for A&F seems to suggest that Apple might get a portion of the former Gap (which had 6,110 sqft as per a graphic shared by FortWorthian) as well.

 

Also, as A&F's womenswear segment is one of Aritzia's main competitors, I suspect that Aritzia might announce their intentions to open a Clearfork location pretty soon if they have plans to do so.

[FortWorthian]

I couldn't remember if bclaridge posted this project already, but I saw that Sephora hit TDLR at UPV.  So they're just renovating their current space I guess in suite 401D.

 

https://www.tdlr.tex.../TABS2025006386

 

PROJECT

Project Name: Sephora

Project Number: TABS2025006386

Facility Name: University Park Village

Location Address: 1612 S. University Dr., Ste. 401D

Fort Worth, TX 76107

Location County: Tarrant

Start Date: 3/17/2025

Completion Date: 6/13/2025

Estimated Cost: $611,000

Type of Work: Renovation/Alteration

Type of Funds: This project is privately funded, on private land for private use.

Scope of Work: Interior remodel of an existing retail space.

Square Footage: 5,435 ft 2

 

https://www.simon.co.../stores/sephora

Address: 1612 S University Dr Space #401D, Fort Worth, TX 76107

[bclaridge]

Suites 104 and 105 also came up on TDLR today.

https://www.tdlr.tex.../TABS2025006506

 

Project Name:University Park Village TI

Project Number: TABS2025006506

Facility Name: University Park Village

Location Address: 1540 S. University Drive Space 104 and 105 Fort Worth, TX 76107

Location County: Tarrant

Start Date: 1/20/2025

Completion Date: 4/11/2025

Estimated Cost: $700,000

Type of Work: Renovation/Alteration

Type of Funds: This project is privately funded, on private land for private use.

Scope of Work: Split existing retail space to create 2 separate spaces

Square Footage: 6,546 ft ²

 

 

It says they're splitting an existing retail space into two, and it involves the area around what will likely become the new Apple Store. The TDLR filing for Abercrombie & Fitch said they would only utilize 5,281 sqft, so I wonder if they are splitting the former Gap into two spaces here? 1,265 sqft (6,546 - 5,281) should be enough space for the relocation of The Impeccable Pig.

[Big Frog II]

I wonder if Eatzi's is happy or not about the Apple Store next door.  It has the potential to take up all of the parking in the area making it difficult for Eatzi's patrons.

[bclaridge]

I wonder if Eatzi's is happy or not about the Apple Store next door.  It has the potential to take up all of the parking in the area making it difficult for Eatzi's patrons.

I'd definitely be concerned too if I were with Eatzi's. The south side of University Park Village often gets crowded with Apple customers at the current time, but that will (obviously) shift to the north side once the new Apple Store opens. Other businesses on that side of the shopping center, including Talbots, also have cause for concern.

In other news, Faherty opened yesterday (11/26).

[Stadtplan]

 

I wonder if Eatzi's is happy or not about the Apple Store next door.  It has the potential to take up all of the parking in the area making it difficult for Eatzi's patrons.

I'd definitely be concerned too if I were with Eatzi's. The south side of University Park Village often gets crowded with Apple customers at the current time, but that will (obviously) shift to the north side once the new Apple Store opens. Other businesses on that side of the shopping center, including Talbots, also have cause for concern.

In other news, Faherty opened yesterday (11/26).

 

 

They can only hope that people will feel compelled to go in their stores / eat their food since they are already there.  I tend to get in / get out when I go to Apple but I'm wired that way, try to make it as simple and painless as possible, not to make an afternoon of it.

[george84]

I went to Eatzis last week for lunch and that exact thought crossed my mind. I never have trouble finding parking now, but that will certainly change.

[bclaridge]

I went to Eatzis last week for lunch and that exact thought crossed my mind. I never have trouble finding parking now, but that will certainly change.

Perhaps it's time for University Park Village to add a parking garage, as I illustrated with an idea on the previous pages. The parking situation would temporarily become more painful, although such a garage structure could add more ground-level retail too (as at The Shops at Clearfork or WestBend).

[FortWorthian]

12/11/2024

24TMP-107817

Commercial Remodel Building Permit

Retail Tenant

1540 S UNIVERSITY DR, SUITE F104A, Fort Worth TX 76107

Applicant: JHoule

[bclaridge]

A TDLR TABS permit also dropped today too, for a 1,640 sqft project: https://www.tdlr.tex.../TABS2025007340

Looks like this might be walkway work in front of the future Apple Store.

[bclaridge]

The interior of Athleta will be renovated in March: https://www.tdlr.tex.../TABS2025007886

[bclaridge]

For the F105 space: https://aca-prod.acc...ShowInspection=

 

 

University Park Village - Suite F105 Redemise
Split existing tenant space to create two leasable spaces, include demolition of façade, interior improvement and MEP

 

This is the former Gap space, with 6,546 square feet mentioned in the permit. My guess is that part of this space will become Abercrombie & Fitch (5,281 sqft), and perhaps The Impeccable Pig might come back to fill the remainder (1,265 sqft) of the space. This does makes me wonder what might come in to fill the current (soon-to-be-former) Apple Store space. They definitely could use something popular down there, in order to avoid the "center of gravity" shifting away from the southern side of the center.

If I knew what the square footage of the current Apple Store was, I might be able to identify some possible candidates for that space. I'm assuming Simon already has something lined up, though.

[FortWorthian]

For the F105 space: https://aca-prod.acc...ShowInspection=

 

 

University Park Village - Suite F105 Redemise
Split existing tenant space to create two leasable spaces, include demolition of façade, interior improvement and MEP

 

This is the former Gap space, with 6,546 square feet mentioned in the permit. My guess is that part of this space will become Abercrombie & Fitch (5,281 sqft), and perhaps The Impeccable Pig might come back to fill the remainder (1,265 sqft) of the space. This does makes me wonder what might come in to fill the current (soon-to-be-former) Apple Store space. They definitely could use something popular down there, in order to avoid the "center of gravity" shifting away from the southern side of the center.

If I knew what the square footage of the current Apple Store was, I might be able to identify some possible candidates for that space. I'm assuming Simon already has something lined up, though.

 

That's correct, Suite F105B is Abercrombie & Fitch and it might be closer to 5,423 SQFT.

[FortWorthian]

 

For the F105 space: https://aca-prod.acc...ShowInspection=

 

 

University Park Village - Suite F105 Redemise
Split existing tenant space to create two leasable spaces, include demolition of façade, interior improvement and MEP

 

This is the former Gap space, with 6,546 square feet mentioned in the permit. My guess is that part of this space will become Abercrombie & Fitch (5,281 sqft), and perhaps The Impeccable Pig might come back to fill the remainder (1,265 sqft) of the space. This does makes me wonder what might come in to fill the current (soon-to-be-former) Apple Store space. They definitely could use something popular down there, in order to avoid the "center of gravity" shifting away from the southern side of the center.

If I knew what the square footage of the current Apple Store was, I might be able to identify some possible candidates for that space. I'm assuming Simon already has something lined up, though.

 

That's correct, Suite F105B is Abercrombie & Fitch and it might be closer to 5,423 SQFT.

 

 

This is not an official map, and still partly speculation at this point, but I think this could be the likely layout for these spaces.  Impeccable Pig based solely on the bclaridge's observations above spotting their closure sign mentioning their "relocation...come back and see us in the Spring." but would be something fairly small to fill that space and would make sense.

 

[bclaridge]

 

 

For the F105 space: https://aca-prod.acc...ShowInspection=

 

 

University Park Village - Suite F105 Redemise
Split existing tenant space to create two leasable spaces, include demolition of façade, interior improvement and MEP

 

This is the former Gap space, with 6,546 square feet mentioned in the permit. My guess is that part of this space will become Abercrombie & Fitch (5,281 sqft), and perhaps The Impeccable Pig might come back to fill the remainder (1,265 sqft) of the space. This does makes me wonder what might come in to fill the current (soon-to-be-former) Apple Store space. They definitely could use something popular down there, in order to avoid the "center of gravity" shifting away from the southern side of the center.

If I knew what the square footage of the current Apple Store was, I might be able to identify some possible candidates for that space. I'm assuming Simon already has something lined up, though.

 

That's correct, Suite F105B is Abercrombie & Fitch and it might be closer to 5,423 SQFT.

 

 

This is not an official map, and still partly speculation at this point, but I think this could be the likely layout for these spaces.  Impeccable Pig based solely on the bclaridge's observations above spotting their closure sign mentioning their "relocation...come back and see us in the Spring." but would be something fairly small to fill that space and would make sense.

 

 

My original guess was that The Impeccable Pig would relocate to the southern end of the center in the current Apple space (with the space split into two), although I now believe that this setup is much more likely.

Splitting the current Apple Store might make for an awkward setup; the UPV map shows it as an "L" shaped space with room behind the Starbucks (I believe that's the stockroom). I think it should be taken by a single tenant, rather than split.

[FortWorthian]

Record PB25-00196: 

Commercial Remodel Building Permit

Record Status: Plan Review

https://aca-prod.acc...ShowInspection=

 

Project Description:

Abercrombie & Fitch at University Park

Space #F105B / Remodel Tenant Space in existing tenant retail lease space

 

Job Value($): $566,132.00

 

Occupancy Classification: M

Construction Type: IIB

Square Footage: 5,398

Occupant Load:78

Use Description: Retail Store

 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

Record PO25-00035: 

Occupancy Existing Ordinance

Record Status: Pending

https://aca-prod.acc...ShowInspection=

 

Project Description:

Athleta

Applying for an Occupancy Existing Ordinance to update the occupant load of the existing retail space to be 65 occupants per latest codes. Interior Remodel scope includes relocating/replacing cashwrap/backwrap, painting, relamping of customer facing areas, and conversion of 1 restroom to be storage.

[bclaridge]

The Star-Telegram published this article about Abercrombie & Fitch's plans to open a store at University Park Village today. After almost two months since the initial registration to TDLR TABS, news of A&F's coming finally reached a major media outlet.

[Big Frog II]

How big is the new Apple store compared to the existing store?

[JBB]

Just with rough measurements on Google Maps, it looks like they are more than tripling their space.  Someone else that's paid closer attention to the permitting than me might have a better idea.

[bclaridge]

Just with rough measurements on Google Maps, it looks like they are more than tripling their space.  Someone else that's paid closer attention to the permitting than me might have a better idea.

I'd like to know how much square footage the current Apple space is too. It doesn't seem like they would be tripling their space when considering the Apple's current stockroom, although I'm sure the amount of salesfloor space in the new Apple Store will be quite a bit larger. I don't think they would invest $8 million if they weren't getting a substantially-larger amount of salesfloor space.

[TLA]

I say this with jest and limited snark. But why do people go to Apple stores? I’ve been the owner of Macs (personal and corporate) and many iPhones and iPods. I’ve never had a reason to go in. Am I missing something?

Re: A&F, glad they are moving in. I didn’t realize until I met a corporate employee that they’ve had a resurgence since my long ago middle school days. Some of these retailers have surprisingly crushed it. See: Dillards stock price.

[FortWorthian]

I say this with jest and limited snark. But why do people go to Apple stores? Ive been the owner of Macs (personal and corporate) and many iPhones and iPods. Ive never had a reason to go in. Am I missing something?

Re: A&F, glad they are moving in. I didnt realize until I met a corporate employee that theyve had a resurgence since my long ago middle school days. Some of these retailers have surprisingly crushed it. See: Dillards stock price.

Heres a few reasons to go in there off the top of my head:
-Genius bar support
-Battery swap
-Pickup latest release of hardware (with limited availability or pre-order pickup)
-Cracked screen repair
-Screen protector purchase and install. If they screw it up they return it and use a new one on their dime.
-try new types of screen protectors. I had trouble with polarized glasses and certain screens but they had a type of screen protector that had anti-reflective coating that better fit my needs
-Buy accessories
-Ive attended tech talks at Knox store which has a classroom

[bclaridge]

I say this with jest and limited snark. But why do people go to Apple stores? I’ve been the owner of Macs (personal and corporate) and many iPhones and iPods. I’ve never had a reason to go in. Am I missing something?

Re: A&F, glad they are moving in. I didn’t realize until I met a corporate employee that they’ve had a resurgence since my long ago middle school days. Some of these retailers have surprisingly crushed it. See: Dillards stock price.

Abercrombie & Fitch is one of the "darlings" of fashion retail these days. They are super-popular on social media.

I also hear a lot about Zara, Lululemon, and Alo on social media too. Zara loves larger stores, so I don't know if they would consider a Fort Worth location, but it's definitely a possibility (not at UPV, though).

Aritzia would be another such "darling" that is crushing it; I do see a lot more Aritzia content on social media, but that's probably just because I'm an Aritzia customer, and I consume a lot more Aritzia content on social media as a result. I believe Aritzia is likely to open a Fort Worth location in the next few years too; they've been wanting to get into Fort Worth and the TCU area, and I've even sent some tips to their corporate staff.

[JBB]

I say this with jest and limited snark. But why do people go to Apple stores? 

 

I was wondering the same thing.  Any time I've bought products in the last 5 years, I've done it online or through a retailer like AT&T or Target.  The only thing I've gone to a store for is tech support.  And the store is always crawling with people.

[ramjet]

I like to put my hands on and get a feel for the product.  I was batting about .500 with online purchases on sizing, functionality, and actually looking like the web pic and description.  If I'm looking for something these days, I'd rather go to a brick and mortar store to check it out before buying.

[steave]

I bought an Apple TV and my most recent iPhone from that Apple store. It costs the same everywhere, I decided I'd just go to the store to get it immediately instead of waiting for it to ship.

[TLA]

That’s a good point. I shopped at a few stores online, not on Amazon this holiday season. Geez Amazon Prime has spoiled me on no shipping costs.

[JBB]

And free, no questions asked returns.  I don't mind buying something and returning it if it doesn't work out.

[FortWorthian]

And free, no questions asked returns.  I don't mind buying something and returning it if it doesn't work out.

 

Well not entirely no questions asked, but each return gets attributed to your returns history profile.  I don't know anyone personally that's been cut off from returns but I'm sure there's abuse.

https://www.wpsdloca... impulse buying.

 

[bclaridge]

Quick phone pic from today (February 6, 2025) of the progress on the new Apple Store.

The structure has started to go up since the last time I visited University Park Village (I haven't been getting out as much because of some health issues recently):



The layout of the structure itself makes me wonder if The Impeccable Pig will be taking back their old location; I don't know if Apple would also be using that area on the right (past the end of the long-span beams).