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Fort Worth's Sundance Square at the Top of Its Game Just in Time for Super Bowl

Careful planning by city officials and local business leaders over the last decade has prepared Sundance Square in downtown Fort Worth to be at the top of its game as an important business, retail, residential and entertainment hub.

With the NFL awarding Super Bowl XLV to Dallas/Fort Worth and ESPN selecting Sundance Square as its headquarters for more than 80 hours of television coverage, radio shows, and related content, downtown Fort Worth is poised for unparalleled exposure.

Ed Bass, Sundance Square developer, believes the vision for the 35-block entertainment development and all of downtown Fort Worth has reached another milestone.

"Our strategic plan for Sundance Square has always included being host to large special events," said Bass. "We know that the product we have in downtown Fort Worth is exemplary and nothing in the region compares to it. Sundance Square is a dynamic urban environment attracting thousands of people each day, which was a primary factor for ESPN choosing our venue. As a result, millions of people across the country will see our beautiful city in a fresh light."

The Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Performance Hall in Sundance Square is the crown jewel in a city that boasts the nation's third largest cultural district. Bass Performance Hall is the permanent home of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Texas Ballet Theater, Fort Worth Opera, and the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and Cliburn Concerts.

Downtown Fort Worth features more than 50 restaurants, offering everything from fine dining to casual fare with more than half of the restaurants in Sundance Square averaging 15 years in the popular entertainment district. There are also movie theatres, museums, art galleries, retail shops and specialty boutiques.

Numerous companies have made downtown Fort Worth their headquarters including Pier 1 Imports, RadioShack, XTO Energy, Inc., D.R. Horton and Chesapeake Energy - Barnett Division.

Downtown Fort Worth has maintained a low office vacancy rate since 2004. With a 7.3% vacancy rate, this is one of the lowest among major U.S. cities. Currently, more than 90% of all office space is occupied and 1,462 businesses are based in downtown Fort Worth.

"Even in the midst of an economic downturn, our city has continued to grow and thrive," said Bob Jameson, Chairman of Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. "Our office, retail, residential and hospitality sectors are firing on ally cylinders."

Housing affordability has been one of Fort Worth's competitive advantages. Downtown Fort Worth is currently experiencing a residential renaissance as individuals and families embrace an urban lifestyle. Currently, there are 926 owner-occupied residential units in downtown, up from 610 in 2006.

Downtown also boasts aggressive housing growth. From 2006 to date, owner occupied units are up 57% and renter occupied units are up 34% which bucks the national trend significantly. During 2009's recession, downtown Fort Worth had its second best year in home sales.

Living in downtown Fort Worth puts people in the heart of a revitalized community with an abundance of cultural destinations. Fort Worth has been widely recognized for its outstanding quality of life and was recently ranked as one of the nation's top 10 most livable cities.

Sundance Square

Sundance Square is a vibrant 35-block commercial, residential, entertainment and retail district where people work, live, shop and dine. Sundance Square's beautiful landscaping, red-brick streets and turn-of-the-century buildings make it a pedestrian's delight. More information about Sundance Square can be found at www.sundancesquare.com.

Downtown Fort Worth, Inc.

Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. is a non-profit organization whose mission is to be a catalyst for making Downtown Fort Worth a vibrant and attractive center in which to work, live and visit.

Aardvark Communications
Carolyn Alvey, 817-760-6757
or
Touchdown Fort Worth Inc.
Julie Hatch, 817-919-7648