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Most of us are now familiar
with project names like
Montgomery Plaza, So7, and
One City Place, but now it's
time to meet the folks
behind the changing face of
Downtown. Here, the
developers of Fort Worth's
newest properties will do
their best to explain their
plans and share their
visions for the future of
our city.
David Porter
President
PNL Companies, Dallas
Project: One City Place
Years ago, David Porter saw
the potential for Downtown
Fort Worth to flourish.
When RadioShack Corp. put
the former Tandy Center
building up for sale in
2001, he knew the timing was
perfect to purchase the
historic buildings and
redevelop them into
much-needed office space and
luxury condos. But Porter
had to put his plans on hold
for at least three years
until RadioShack moved into
their new digs along the
Trinity River. Now his
projects are moving full
speed ahead, and soon his
development will change the
appearance of Downtown Fort
Worth more than any other on
tap right now.
"We are removing the
overhang at Throckmorton,
and Second Street will be
re-opened," Porter said.
"We feel that it will
enhance the overall walking
experience Downtown."
Porter plans to convert the
two historic Downtown towers
into both office space and
lavish condominiums. The
north tower, called Two City
Place, will encompass
300.000 square feet. Porter
initially had plans to
provide a larger number of
condos but has since reduced
the total number to allow
for more spacious units,
which are in higher demand.
About 50,000 square feet
within the two towers will
be devoted to shops,
services, and restaurants.
"All of the new Downtown
developments are exciting,"
Porter said, "The entries
to Downtown will be much
more appealing than ever
before. We are brining a
new kind of resident to Fort
Worth.
Porter is a 1982 Harvard
Business School graduate who
moved from New York to Fort
Worth in 1993 to start PNL
Companies, a real estate
company that specializes in
reviving distressed
properties.
"The commercial side of it
is still developing," Hawes
said. |
