Many new Fort Worth Stockyards attractions plan to open this summer, others by fall
A $175 million makeover of the Fort Worth Stockyards is still underway, despite a coronavirus-fueled economic shutdown that has led to the closure of restaurants and hotels elsewhere in the city.
Several restaurants and offices in the Stockyards’ Mule Alley project are slated to open this summer, said Craig Cavileer, executive vice president of Majestic Realty Co. and Stockyards Heritage Development Co.
The centerpiece of the project is a resort dubbed the Hotel Drover, which is part of the Marriott Autograph Collection boutique brand and is on course to open in October. That 200-room hotel is being built next door to an existing Hyatt Place, which has temporarily closed because of COVID-19 — but project organizers are optimistic will soon re-open.
“All the construction is continuing,” Cavileer said in a phone interview, referring to progress on the Hotel Drover. “Concurrent with that, we have a lot of tenants under construction with their individual stores. The tenants remain very committed. They are committed to getting open as soon as we are through this pandemic situation we are in.”
The stores along Mule Alley and the Hotel Drover are expected to provide a combined 1,500 new jobs, he said.
Majestic Realty Co., Hickman Investments and Fort Worth city officials unveiled the project in 2018. It includes development of abandoned horse and mule barns in the Stockyards Historic District, and an overall redevelopment of one of Fort Worth’s marquis tourist attractions.
“This is not just real estate development – it’s so much more,” Brad Hickman, president of Hickman Investments and son of legendary Fort Worth Stockyards supporter and benefactor Holt Hickman, said when the project was unveiled.
Cavileer said that construction has slowed a bit by minor supply and permitting issues, but otherwise is progressing as expected. He said he was optimistic that some new stores would open beginning in June, and that other stores would open later in the summer.
Among the businesses already open are a Shake Shack restaurant, and a new American Paint Horse Association headquarters.
Other businesses that are open or are scheduled to open in the next few months include:
▪ Simpli.fi. — An Internet advertising and analytics company with roughly 450 employees. The company’s facility is under construction, although Cavileer said some staff are already working in the area.
▪ RFD HQ and Studios — The new headquarters of RFD-TV, The Cowboy Channel, and Rural Radio, all part of Rural Media Group, is building a new broadcast studio open to the public near the Livestock Exchange Building.
▪ MB Mercantile & Supply — A general store for both locals and tourists.
▪ Second Rodeo Brewing Co. — A 12,000-square-foot barn described as part brewpub and part music hall.
This report includes information from the Star-Telegram archives.
