Archive for September, 2009

Fort Worth architects design space with visitors in mind

Fort Worth architects design space with visitors in mind
By Gaile Robinson / Star-Telegram
September 24, 2009

The architects of Fort Worth have gone public, making themselves more accessible to the community. After years of being reclusive to the point of near invisibility, the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects has opened the Center for Architecture on Seventh Street in the old Strings location, and they welcome visitors. Really, they want you to drop by.

“The center is a place to show how architects can help people with a wide range of design opportunities,” says Joe Self, whose Firm817 designed the new facility.

The center opened on Gallery Night with the show “Cross Section — What Architects Do,” an exhibit of models and architectural drawings by chapter members. The simplicity of the show title indicates how earnest the group is in trying to be accessible and understood.

Full Story

New Home Sales May Climb 30% in 2010, Goldman Says

New Home Sales May Climb 30% in 2010, Goldman Says
By John Gittelsohn / Bloomberg.com
September 24, 2009

Sept. 24 (Bloomberg) — New U.S. home sales may jump 30 percent next year, buoyed by low mortgage rates and a “greater than 50 percent probability” that Congress will extend a tax credit for first-time buyers, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. said.

New home sales in California will lead as property values rise and transactions climb to more than 525,000 nationally, analysts led by Joshua Pollard wrote in a note to investors. The firm raised its recommendation for D.R. Horton Inc., Meritage Homes Corp., Toll Brothers Inc. and M.D.C. Holdings Inc.

“Phrases like ‘the worst is well behind us’ and ‘things remain encouraging’ capture the mood of many constituents we met with on residential real estate,” Pollard said after visiting California. “The mood was much more negative on commercial real estate.”

Full Story

North Texas trumpeter Freddie Jones gives gift to Fort Worth student musician

North Texas trumpeter Freddie Jones gives gift to Fort Worth student musician
Pegasus News Wire
September 22, 2009

FORT WORTH — Composer, producer, and trumpeter Freddie Jones will turn the spotlight on a Fort Worth ISD student musician on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009.

Jones will select a student to receive a trumpet for the student’s personal use — if the student agrees to Jones’ conditions: Jones will ask the student to agree to continue to study music while in school and to play several times a year for children.

The trumpet will be presented by Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Shula’s Restaurant, 1701 Commerce Street (inside the Sheraton Hotel).

Full Story

Some still optimistic about Fort Worth real estate

Some still optimistic about Fort Worth real estate
By Darla Miles / WFAA-TV
September 18, 2009

FORT WORTH - One of the premier developments in downtown Fort Worth, Le Bijou, has gone under. But, foreclosure is not necessarily the new face of the city.

The Texas Pacific Lofts on the south end of downtown is 95 percent sold. Some experts say the lofts’ success is a more accurate picture of downtown Fort Worth real estate.

Villa de Leon is the newest high rise in downtown Fort Worth. It has 23 luxury condos overlooking the Trinity River. Prices range from $780,000 to $2.2 million.

Full Story