Construction has begun for Deco 969, Southern Land Co.'s apartment development at 901 Commerce St. in downtown Fort Worth. And as the first high-rise residential tower to be built downtown in more than 30 years, Deco 969 is getting praise from the City of Fort Worth, which expects the project to "drive additional investment, energy, and excitement to the area for years to come."
“For years, Southern Land Co. has shared our vision for high-rise residential development in downtown Fort Worth, and it’s been exciting to partner with them to turn that potential into a reality,” said Robert Sturns, the city’s economic development director. “Deco 969 is poised to kick off a new chapter in the development of downtown Fort Worth, making it even more attractive to residents and businesses alike.”
That new chapter refers to downtown's potential for more residential development. According to Fort Worth's Economic Development Strategic Plan, released in 2017, "high-density residential development is the 'secret' ingredient for the success of downtown Austin, Denver, and Seattle" — hence the need for more living space in downtown Fort Worth. The city particularly wants to attract young professionals, who tend to prefer walkable environments with plenty of options for entertainment, dining, culture, and nightlife. Public transit is a big deal too, according to the city, and Deco 969's proximity to Fort Worth's Central Station makes the location ideal.
“People think of downtown as our central business district, but I tell people it’s a neighborhood, a community — it’s not just office space,” District 9 council member Elizabeth Beck said. “I’m excited that Deco 969 will be such a great new addition to this neighborhood.”
Deco 969, which broke ground Thursday, stands at 27 stories tall and approximately 308,680 square feet, comprising 302 apartments and penthouses averaging approximately 1,090 square feet. There's also eight floors of above-grade parking and 8,000 square feet of mixed-use retail and restaurant space on the first floor. Funding for the project comes from the city's Tax Increment Financing District 8.
“Southern Land Co. is building exactly the kind of new residential product that downtown Fort Worth needs,” said Andy Taft, president of Downtown Fort Worth Inc. “It’s high-density, transit-adjacent and offers a variety of unit sizes and top-shelf amenities. This is the future of downtown residential, and it is coming at a perfect time.”