Goldenrod Van Zandt

Story Highlights Goldenrod selects general contractor for first of 2 major mixed-use projects. Construction could begin in coming weeks on Van Zandt on West Seventh Street. Goldenrod also plans One University in Cowtown's Cultural District. A Nebraska developer is pushing forward with a prominent project in Fort Worth's Cultural District and plans to break ground in August. Goldenrod Cos. plans to build the Van Zandt in the 2800 block of West Seventh Street, and One University in the 3000 block of Morton Street. The pair of developments represent an estimated $400 million investment in an area that is seeing a wave of new mixed-use and office development. Now, after multiple pushed back timelines for breaking ground, the company has selected a general contractor and expects to start construction on the Van Zandt next month. Goldenrod selected OLINE Construction as the general contractor for the Van Zandt. Groundbreaking for the Van Zandt has been pushed twice this year, as the company's executives amended an economic development agreement and worked with the City of Fort Worth's Public Works Department to delay road infrastructure work that would have interfered with construction. Plans for the Van Zandt call for 100,000 square feet of offices, 226 apartments and 13,000 square feet of retail, while One University should have around 115,000 square feet of offices, 242 apartments and a 176-key Autograph Collection hotel called The Tycoon. Demolition work is underway and Goldenrod gave a notice to proceed to OLINE on July 25. That notice is an essential milestone to get construction rolling. It means OLINE Construction can take actions such as assemble contractors and release materials. Robert Murray, chief operating officer at OLINE Construction, said the Van Zandt will mark the company's first project in the area. OLINE has offices in Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska; Fort Worth and Somerville, New Jersey. "This is a great start into the market," Murray said. "We plan to do a lot in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and this helps us grow. We're just excited about the opportunity." Murray said he expects vertical construction will begin in about three weeks, and an official groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for the first week of September. While Goldenrod did not state when One University would break ground, the company's managing principal, Zach Wiegert, said in March vertical construction should follow a few weeks after Van Zandt. He released a statement following the selection of OLINE. "Having a general contractor who understands the unique challenges of and opportunities that come with building in an established urban environment is critical and OLINE brings that expertise to the table," he said. Last August, Fort Worth City Council approved an amendment to Goldenrod's incentives deal that separated the projects into two separate agreements. If Goldenrod meets the terms of the agreements, the city could provide grants totaling up to $11.17 million for the Van Zandt and up to $19.65 million for One University. According to the agreement, Goldenrod has to complete the Van Zandt and obtain a certificate of occupancy by Dec. 31, 2026, followed by One University by Dec. 31, 2027. Goldenrod's developments are part of a wave of mixed-use and office projects in Fort Worth. Including Goldenrod's projects, more than 400,000 square feet of office space is in the pipeline. That includes the second office building at Crescent Fort Worth, which JPMorgan Chase & Co. will anchor. Another huge project, although it's still in early stages, is a plan by Larkspur Capital LP and Fort Worth-based Keystone Group LP for a mixed-use development that includes 880,000 square feet of office space, which would represent the largest delivery of office inventory in Fort Worth in 43 years.