Deco 969 high-rise residential tower breaks ground downtown
October 15,2021
See full City of Fort Worth article here.
After several days of rain, the sun finally burst through the clouds during the groundbreaking ceremony for Southern Land Co.’s Deco 969 project on Thursday afternoon.
Deco 969 – located at 901 Commerce St. – marks the first high-rise residential tower to be built in downtown Fort Worth in more than 30 years. And with census data showing Fort Worth to be one of the fastest-growing large cities in the country, the project comes at an ideal time for the city.
A catalyst for downtown Fort Worth
Fort Worth’s Economic Development Strategic Plan states that increasing the density of residential development in downtown is a critical step towards ensuring the area’s overall community vitality, especially given the success of similar residential projects in mixed-use downtown districts like those in Austin, Denver and Seattle.
Young professionals are increasingly drawn to thriving, walkable urban environments that combine high-quality residential options with opportunities for entertainment, dining, culture and a vibrant nightlife. Additionally, Deco 969 offers residents convenient access to public transit, as the project will be located near Fort Worth’s Central Station.
As a result, Deco 969 and projects like it will make Fort Worth’s urban core even more attractive to top talent – and to the companies competing for that desirable workforce.
“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.”
About the development
Deco 969 is the most recent project in the decades-long revitalization of downtown Fort Worth. Made possible by strategic public investments from the city’s TIF 8, it’s expected to drive additional investment, energy and excitement to the area for years to come.
Once completed, Deco 969 will measure 27 stories tall and total approximately 308,680 square feet. It will contain 302 apartments and penthouses, averaging approximately 1,090 square feet, as well as eight floors of above-grade parking, and 8,000 square feet of mixed-use retail and restaurant space on the first floor.
“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,” said District 9 Councilmember Elizabeth Beck, who spoke at the ceremony. “I’m excited that Deco 969 will be such a great new addition to this neighborhood.”
“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.”
Location Mentioned: Deco 969