Rent Report

Fort Worth apartment rents on the rise amid COVID-19, says new report

Fort Worth two-bedroom rent prices jumped in June, despite the pandemic.

ejs9/Getty Images

The pandemic has not put much of dent in Texas rental demand, according to new data from Abodo.

The online apartment marketplace says Texas' median one-bedroom apartment rent fell just $7 from April to June 2020, down to $1,012 from $1,019. Conversely, national one-bedroom median rents rose about 1 percent, growing slightly from $1,088 in April to $1,097 in June.

Fort Worth follows the national trend, with the one- and two-bedroom rates rising in Q2. One-bedroom units rose $34, from a median price of $1,101 in April to $1,135 in June. Meanwhile, two-bedroom rates increased more dramatically, from $1,224 in April to $1,410 in June. That’s a healthy 13.2 percent jump, showing the Fort Worth residential rental market has stayed buoyant during the COVID-19 pandemic, Abodo says.

As a whole, the Texas residential rental market remains steady for several reasons:

Amid the pandemic, many people are staying put and have put off moving plans for now.
Some residents have had to sell homes they could no longer afford and have therefore entered the rental market.
Landlords are reluctant to raise rents when collecting rent during COVID-19 can be an issue.
Some new apartment developments have slowed or paused construction.

Overall, property managers and landlords are facing a new normal of life, specifically in this virtual world during the COVID-19 pandemic. But North Texas rental markets have maintained stability through these unprecedented times, with decreases in supply offsetting any instances of falling demand.

Abodo expects this trend to continue and predicts continued a steady North Texas rental market in the coming months.

rent reports

T-Shirt News

Fort Worth clothing brand Dickies to relocate HQ to California

Dickies

Dickies T-shirt

After more than a century, workwear clothing brand Dickies is leaving Fort Worth for new headquarters on the West Coast. It will be moving from its current space at 500 Taylor St., at the top floor of The Tower, to California, with an estimated completion date of late spring 2025.

The company is relocating to Costa Mesa, home of its parent VF Corp, the footwear and apparel firm that owns brands such as Vans, The North Face, Timberland, Jansport, and Eastpak; VF Corp acquired Dickies in 2017.

"By co-locating Dickies with our Vans team in Costa Mesa, we will create an even more vibrant campus where creativity and best practice sharing can thrive through greater collaboration and connections – creating a dynamic and innovative environment similar to our other VF co-branded offices," says a Dickies representative in a statement, according to NBC 5.

According to Dickies, about 120 employees at the headquarters will be affected, but not those working at the local distribution facility, warehouses, and stores.

"We are deeply grateful for our Dickies associates’ dedication and hard work and want to recognize the camaraderie and commitment they have shown to the brand," the Dickies representative said in a statement. "Our priority is to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and care throughout this process. We will provide resources and assistance to help them navigate the next steps in their careers."

Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker chimed in on the relocation decision, stating that it's an example of a Fort Worth success story.

"While we understand companies are sometimes forced to make difficult budget decisions under new leadership, we think VFC will find – as others have – that Fort Worth, Texas is ultimately a more competitive place to do business,” Parker said in a statement.

Established in Fort Worth in 1922, Dickies brand impact, which was first founded by C.N. Williamson and E.E. "Colonel" Dickie, will still be felt, even after it leaves the city: In 2017, it gained naming rights to the 14,000 square-foot Dickies Arena next to the Will Rogers Memorial Center, and later opened in 2019.

According to the company, the California move will be managed over an "extended transition period." It's expected to be completed by May 2025.

"While this was a tough call, we are confident this change will help us revitalize Dickies so we can carry on the brand’s heritage for years to come," said the company representative.

closings