Fort Worth Stockyards Launches $71M Apartment Anchor

Stockyards Face Parallel Paths

The Fort Worth Stockyards, the city’s iconic heritage hub, just got a major residential upgrade with The Exchange, a 296-unit affordable apartment complex that broke ground, according to The Real Deal. This is the first significant affordable housing play in the area and a key early anchor for a 14.6-acre mixed-use push north of the Stockyards district. While big plans for a $1B second-phase redevelopment of Fort Worth’s main attraction remain in limbo due to ongoing litigation, other developers aren’t waiting on the sidelines.

Fort Worth Housing Solutions’ entry signals both a fresh residential offering for the area and a bet on sustained population growth nearby—neighboring Oldham Goodwin Group is concurrently leading the larger mixed-use vision.

The End of a Purely Heritage District

The Stockyards have historically leaned on preservation and tourism appeal. However, affordable housing demand continues to surge across Texas metros. Meanwhile, new walkable neighborhoods are gaining momentum, and Fort Worth appears poised to follow suit.

The 14.6-acre site now under development will combine housing, hospitality, retail, and food and beverage uses. Together, these additions could shift the area’s identity. The Exchange sits at the corner of North Main and 29th streets. Oldham Goodwin Group and Fort Worth Housing Solutions back the project. It also marks Fort Worth Housing Solutions’ inaugural development in this high-profile submarket.

This shift reflects broader efforts to close Fort Worth’s housing gaps. Those pressures are particularly evident among residents living within a five-mile radius. That population could grow as much as 6% in the coming years, per the Dallas Business Journal. The residential portion will help activate the area with a pool, clubhouse, and dog park. Units will range from studios to three-bedroom apartments.

The Details

The Exchange officially broke ground as a $71M investment that will deliver 296 affordable apartments. Oldham Goodwin Group and Fort Worth Housing Solutions are spearheading the project’s affordable housing strategy. The complex will serve as the first residential pillar for the Stockyards North district. It sits at North Main and 29th streets.

Planned amenities include a pool, onsite clubhouse, and dog park, which developers hope will attract a diverse mix of renters. Beyond the apartments, Stockyards North will include a Home2 Suites by Hilton, multiple retail concepts, and food outlets.

Other major stakeholders are also investing in district upgrades. Members of the Franklin family, owners of M.L. Leddy’s, are contributing to these improvements. Their plans include a $14M, four-story parking structure designed to ease persistent parking shortages. The investment comes as expectations rise for stronger residential demand and improved walkability throughout the historic corridor.

Legal Delays Cloud Broader Revamp

The Exchange arrives at a critical moment for the Stockyards. A larger $1B Fort Worth Stockyards redevelopment remains stuck in a legal stalemate. The plans include 300,000 SF of additional commercial space and up to 1,000 new hotel rooms.

The dispute pits Craig Cavileer, who spearheaded the Stockyards modernization push, against Reon Roski of California’s Majestic Realty. The conflict has paused plans for additional residences, several large hotels, and two underground garages. Meanwhile, both parties continue fighting over control and the vision for the project’s next phase.

This deadlock has created uncertainty around future Stockyards development. Investors considering major retail or hospitality projects now face additional questions. However, district-scale housing projects like The Exchange highlight persistent demand drivers, including projected local population growth.

The Franklin family’s parking investment also signals continued private-sector confidence in the district. That commitment could support growth regardless of the central legal dispute’s outcome.

Why It Matters

The Exchange represents more than another apartment development. It marks a critical step toward making the area accessible to workers and families. Many households face rising rents elsewhere across the metro.

According to the Dallas Business Journal, affordable housing remains limited near major cultural districts like the Stockyards. Therefore, The Exchange could help address an urgent local housing need. The project also arrives as DFW’s broader commercial market gains momentum from expanding financial-sector activity and continued corporate growth. The partnership between Fort Worth Housing Solutions and Oldham Goodwin Group also reflects a broader Texas trend. Public-private partnerships continue expanding attainable multifamily supply within high-visibility neighborhoods.

For investors and city leaders, the project signals confidence in the Stockyards’ evolving identity. The district is moving beyond its traditional focus on heritage and tourism toward a more balanced, community-serving destination.

Legal hurdles could delay marquee elements of the $1B overhaul. Still, smaller projects like The Exchange and the new parking garage maintain development momentum. The nearby five-mile population could climb 6%, per the Dallas Business Journal. Consequently, this multifamily anchor could become a test case for Fort Worth’s broader housing strategy.

What’s Next

The legal battle over the $1B Stockyards overhaul could stretch into late 2026. As a result, commercial and hotel projects may face continued delays.

Meanwhile, developers will likely focus on infill residential and infrastructure opportunities. Growing demand from local renters and tourists could support additional investment. Once the dispute reaches a resolution, mixed-use development could accelerate and further reshape the district’s identity.

Expect continued city interest in housing and mobility solutions. Private players, including Oldham Goodwin and the Franklin family, will likely continue driving development momentum.