University replatting surface parking lots into 5-acre tracts for multifamily, retail

Texas Christian University and Endeavor Real Estate Group are planning a significant development on West Berry Street, with potential to include multifamily, retail and a parking garage, Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported. 

The development is part of a broader master plan that includes several other projects designed to enhance the university’s commercial corridor. 

Plans for six- and seven-story apartment buildings were revealed in records filed with the city this month, although TCU has not publicly disclosed specific details about the West Berry Street development.

The developers plan to replat 21 small lots into two larger lots spanning 5.2 acres. These blocks, consisting mostly of parking lots, are located on the northern side of West Berry, east of University Drive, between the TCU Campus Store and the TCU-owned GrandMarc at Westberry Place apartments. The university is also seeking to have part of Cockrell Avenue and an alley vacated by the city to accommodate the development.

Austin-based Endeavor recently launched its student-housing division upon winning a contract with TCU.

More housing is crucial at TCU due to record enrollment numbers.

With nearly 10,900 undergraduate students enrolled for the fall 2023 semester, almost 48 percent of whom live on campus, its housing infrastructure is insufficient to meet the demand. The shortage has led to difficulties for students in finding places to live, underscoring the necessity for additional housing options.

The West Berry Street redevelopment is only the first step in TCU’s campus master plan, which aims to create long-term guidelines for campus growth. The plan, developed by international design firm Sasaki, was approved in concept by TCU’s board of trustees in the spring.

Meanwhile, off-campus housing developments near TCU have drawn heavy criticism from neighbors due to multi-story housing construction on lots zoned for duplexes, the outlet reported.