Dirt will begin turning in August for the eight-story, mixed-use Van Zandt project at the northwest corner of West 7th and Foch streets, company officials announced late last week.

Article by Bob Francis, Forth Worth Report

Omaha, Nebraska-based Goldenrod Companies named Oline Construction as the general contractor for the project that will include 100,000 square feet of high-end office space, 226 apartments and 13,000 square feet of retail.

“We are excited to have Oline Construction as our general contractor for the Van Zandt,” Zach Wiegert, managing principal of Goldenrod Companies, said in a statement. “Having a general contractor who understands the unique challenges and opportunities that come with building in an established urban environment is critical and Oline brings that expertise to the table.”

Goldenrod is planning another nearby project, One University at the 3000 block of Morton Street across from the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.

That $255 million project will include 100,000 square feet of Class AA office space, 10,000 square feet of retail space, 240 new multifamily units and a 175-room hotel.

The combined investment for both projects is estimated at $400 million. They are expected to generate over $39 million in new tax revenue.

The city of Fort Worth approved up to $30.8 million in economic incentives for the projects. The Van Zandt must be completed by the end of 2026, and One University by 2027 in order to qualify for the incentives. Goldenrod agreed to spend at least $300 million out of the total in hard construction costs, according to the agreement.

Goldenrod would give the parking garages to the city following construction as part of the deal. Goldenrod officials said they would create office leasing practices that favor tenants relocating from out of the region.

Leasing for both developments will be managed by JLL.

JLL’s Geoff Shelton, senior vice president, said the demand for modern office space with high-end amenities — such as those planned for the Van Zandt — continues to grow, outpacing both existing supply and planned deliveries.

“The Van Zandt presents a timely and compelling opportunity for businesses looking to secure a premier location in the heart of Fort Worth,” he said. “The asset is thoughtfully designed to serve the needs of well-established tenants in the market while also accommodating larger corporate users looking to upgrade or relocate into the submarket.”

The groundbreaking at the Van Zandt follows shovel turning in April at Fort Worth billionaire investor John Goff’s high-end office project in the Cultural District that is adding a second tower. The eight-story office building will bring 170,000 square feet of Class AA office space when it opens, likely by the end of 2026.

Goldenrod officials have not announced when the company’s One University project will break ground.

Formed in 2005, Goldenrod was founded by former pro football player Wiegert, who played for the St. Louis Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans from 1995 to 2006.