Despite COVID, Near Southside Ft. Worth Rehabs Sizzle

FORT WORTH—North Texas-based M2G Ventures wrapped up last year with the transformation of Proof, a 40,665-square-foot building located at 901 W. Vickery Blvd. Despite the whirlwind of 2020, this mixed-use project is 72% preleased with a corporate relocation, a boutique bowling concept and a female-owned personal injury law firm.

Built in 1926, Proof’s first life began when Adkins-Polk Whole Grocers built it to serve the growing population of Fort Worth. As the city transformed through the years, so did the purpose of the building. In 2010, the building was sold to Firestone & Robertson Distilling, signaling the true second life to the space. Within its walls, the famed Texas Whiskey was imbibed by the masses.

Cut to today, the project has been redeveloped to house corporate headquarters, entertainment users and flagship locations. Signed tenants include Bowlounge, a retro-style bowling alley occupying 15,000 square feet; Witherite Law Group, a personal injury firm occupying 7,000 square feet; and recently announced Trinity Real Estate Investment Services which will occupy 6,500 square feet.

“Trinity REIS’s lease signing at Proof further propels the narrative of continued demand for creative office space in Fort Worth,” Jessica Miller Essl, co-president of M2G Ventures, tells GlobeSt.com. “Companies are seeking space that separates them from their competition, and will allow them to boost recruiting while exemplifying company culture.”

Based on the high level of interest, M2G Ventures anticipates the remainder of the 12,000 square feet of available space to fill up quickly as the new year approaches.

“We’re thrilled to end this year with a big accomplishment through the renovation of Proof,” said Miller Essl. “Our goal was to showcase the building’s 94 years of milestones while repurposing the design to create a modern-day mixed-use location. We’ve been able to exceed our expectations for this legacy asset and that’s a tall order.”

Throughout the renovation, M2G has made intentional decisions to revive the deep history of the building by highlighting key architectural details of its unique time capsule. The exterior showcases prominent modern-day Brooklyn and mid-century Chicago styles of massive bricks, large original fire doors and expansive open-air patio space. Repurposed artifacts also serve as interior/exterior art and fixtures.

In 2020, M2G Ventures’ high-profile projects include the $200 million redevelopment and exclusive retail partner of Mule Alley in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards as well as Bogart Dallas, North Quarter 35, The Foundry District, 710 South Main, OB MAC and 2809 Shamrock. More acquisitions are slated for first quarter 2021.

“The current pandemic hasn’t discouraged investors and developers from investing capital to redevelop/repurpose existing buildings in the Near Southside,” Miller Essl tells GlobeSt.com. “The Fort Worth office market has experienced 346,734 square feet of positive net absorption in class-A properties since the beginning of 2019. With class-A properties outpacing class-B assets by over 165% during that same period, the Fort Worth market continues to experience a flight to quality and demand for class-A office in walkable neighborhoods.”