Hundreds of new apartments and a large pickleball club are part of the North City project in north Fort Worth, led by developer Steve McKeever. The development, which has been in planning for several years, is now moving forward with construction and tenant commitments.
The mixed-use project will cover about 148 acres within a larger area controlled by McKeever. It is located below North Tarrant Parkway, west of I-35W, and northeast of US 287. According to the Dallas Business Journal, McKeever describes his vision as an “urban village” that combines residential units, entertainment venues, and retail spaces. He believes this part of Fort Worth has many homes and jobs but lacks destinations for recreation and leisure.
McKeever owns over 300 acres divided between parcels north and south of U.S. 287. He estimates that once completed, the total value of the development will surpass $1.1 billion. His main goal is to transform the northern section into a pedestrian-friendly entertainment center—a feature he says is missing from north Fort Worth despite its closeness to AllianceTexas.
AllianceTexas is a nearby master-planned community covering 27,000 acres that has created more than 66,000 jobs and generated an estimated $130 billion in economic impact since its start in 1990.
Construction on several parts of North City has already begun. Resia, a Miami-based multifamily company, is building a 465-unit apartment complex on eight acres. Carrollton-based Cross Developer, working with McKeever through a joint venture, is constructing another 233-unit project nearby. The partners expect to start work this summer on an additional 354-unit development, with plans for another phase about two years later.
On January 31st, McKeever will open City Pickle USA—a facility featuring sixteen pickleball courts along with a gym, wellness services, and a sports bar. “The club is designed as more than a sports stop,” said McKeever. “It’s a kind of stay-all-day idea North City is chasing.”
Retail anchors have already joined the broader development. Major tenants include Andretti Indoor Karting and Games (100,000 square feet), Living Spaces furniture retailer, and Carvana’s used-car vending machine operation. McKeever stated that increasing density will help attract future tenants such as grocery stores, concert or music venues, or possibly a hotel.
The project has changed over time; at one point Ikea considered the site before withdrawing interest. McKeever also noted losing fourteen deals during the pandemic period but said that working mostly alone means patience remains important to his approach.
