Your Expert Guide

Rivercrest: Historic homes that harken back to Fort Worth's cowboy past

Agent Donna Kyle Veale

Photo courtesy of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty

There are so many great places to live in Fort Worth that it helps to have an expert on your side. The Neighborhood Guide presented by Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty gives you insider access from the agents who live and work there, providing in-the-know info about your possible new community.

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Few embody the concept of "cowboys and culture" like Donna Kyle Veale. The real estate agent is the wife of a sixth-generation rancher and descendent of J.J. Ward of West Texas.

She moved from Telluride, Colorado, (where she is still a broker) to live with her husband in Fort Worth and enjoys representing luxury buyers and sellers in North Texas.

Donna Kyle and her husband are members of River Crest Country Club and are quick to tout the Rivercrest neighborhood's proximity to Fort Worth's Cultural District, Northside, and downtown area.

"Rivercrest is a great neighborhood for families, and especially golfers!" she says. "People greet you with a smile and live an active lifestyle. With easy access to downtown and the Trinity Trails, this area is a great location for young couples, families, and those interested in immersing themselves in Fort Worth."

Donna Kyle offered up a few of her personal favorites about life in Rivercrest. Here's her guide to the area:

Where to eat & drink
Donna Kyle's absolute favorite place to dine is Paris 7th, where the classic French cuisine reminds her of the year she lived in France. "My favorite small plate is the foie gras de canard au torchon," she says.

Roy Pope Grocery is her favorite place to grab a quick bite with friends, thanks to its comfortable, trendy atmosphere. "It has a fabulous gourmet deli, serving specialty coffees, wine, and beer," Donna Kyle says. "I can always count on fresh fruit from the produce section or a select Angus steak for the grill. The staff is especially friendly and always so helpful."

Where to play
River Crest Country Club offers much more than just a round of golf. "I always feel pampered by the staff, whether I’m hosting a special event or enjoying refreshments from the 1911 Lounge," she says. "Tuesday night is fried chicken night, and it is well attended by Rivercrest families."

What to see
Just a short distance from Rivercrest are the Cultural District museums. "I love visiting the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame," Donna Kyle says. "During the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, it’s a must on my list of places to take our out-of-town guests."

Her favorite specialty shop is PS The Letter, which is where she goes whenever she needs a unique gift. "I especially love sending handwritten notes, and PS The Letter has the most lovely collection of custom stationery," she says. "Their bespoke crystal gifts and custom decor never disappoint."

Where to live
"The historic elegance of the estates in Rivercrest captured my interest when I first moved to Fort Worth," Donna Kyle says. "The homes are diverse in terms of architecture, with styles ranging from Mediterranean to modern. Many of these homes date back to 1910, when Fort Worth was considered the Old West and populated by cattlemen, ranchers, and oil tycoons."

The grandest historic homes are the few that sit along the bluff on Crestline Road. Donna Kyle's personal favorite home in the Rivercrest area is the Baldridge House, a Georgian mansion built in 1910 that has been beautifully preserved and updated. It was designated as a Texas Historic Landmark by the Texas Historical Commission in 1978.

"Its gardens are as opulent as the chandeliers that drape the ceilings throughout the home," says Donna Kyle. "The home rivals many of this era — it is sincerely captivating!"

Some Rivercrest homes are tucked away for privacy yet have expansive golf course views. The floor plans are fitting for growing families, with three-plus bedrooms and ensuite baths — and expect to see large kitchens and dining areas separate from the living areas.

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Donna Kyle Veale works and plays in Rivercrest. For more information on buying and selling a home in the area, click here, email dkyle@briggsfreeman.com, or call 970-708-1535.

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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.

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