Fort Worth's Near Southside has three projects moving at once along its northern edge. Commodore Tavern and Terrace is planned for December 2026 at 1101 W. Magnolia Ave., the restored Fort Worth Public Market is filling with Chef Jenna Kinard's restaurant Madrone, and a six-story, 138-room hotel on Henderson Street has cleared City Council rezoning.
For people who live in and around the Near Southside, including the historic blocks of Fairmount and the streets toward TCU, these projects reshape the neighborhood's busiest corridor. Here is what is coming and what it means for homeowners and buyers.
What is opening on Magnolia Avenue?
PaperCity's October 26, 2026 list of Fort Worth's most anticipated fall openings included Commodore Tavern and Terrace, a neighborhood restaurant from Graham Elliot and Charlie Rushton, in the former Magnolia Wine Bar space. According to the list:
- Address: 1101 W. Magnolia Ave.
- Planned opening: December 2026
- Menu: American classics and cocktails
- Service: lunch, dinner and weekend brunch
Magnolia remains the Near Southside's main street, and new restaurants reinforce its role as a walkable dining corridor for nearby residents.
Is the Near Southside still adding restaurants beyond Magnolia?
Yes. The same PaperCity list included Madrone at the Public Market on Henderson Street and Luckybee Kitchen in Westcliff near TCU. The pattern suggests that dining activity is spreading along the edges of the Near Southside rather than staying on a single street.
What is happening at the Fort Worth Public Market?
The Public Market, a 1930 landmark at Henderson Street and West Lancaster Avenue known for its 85-foot tower, is undergoing a roughly $45 million renovation by Wilks Development, according to 360West Magazine's June 2025 report. The market's own website lists these concepts:
- Madrone: an upscale restaurant with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients
- Willow: a cocktail bar and lounge
- Public Market Cafe and Goods: baked goods, coffee and locally made products
- The Harden: apartment living behind the market, listed as now open
360West reported that Kinard, previously of Max's Wine Dive, 97 West and Jellico's, leads the kitchen with her husband, Micah. PaperCity's October list noted that Madrone was still under construction with no opening date. The market's website asks visitors to stay tuned for opening dates.
Why does a historic restoration matter to nearby homes?
Restored landmarks give neighborhoods a sense of place that new construction rarely matches. The Public Market sits on the northern edge of the Near Southside, close to downtown, and a lively, restored anchor at that corner changes how the area feels to people driving or walking through. For homeowners, it adds another destination within a short trip.
What is the Henderson Street hotel?
Fort Worth Magazine reported that the City Council approved rezoning 8-1 for a hotel on Henderson Street between Magnolia Avenue and Oleander Street. The project details from that report:
- Six stories, with the top floor set back to read as five
- 138 rooms
- Developer: San Diego-based Bond Partners, working with landowner Mike Dolabi and Fort Worth firm Bennett Benner Partners
- Some nearby residents opposed it, citing parking and traffic
The article did not give an opening date, and we would not count on one until construction is visible.
How should residents think about a hotel on the edge of the neighborhood?
Hotels bring visitors who eat, shop and walk, which supports local businesses. They also bring delivery trucks, rideshare traffic and parking demand. The concerns residents raised at the council stage are the right ones to keep watching. Owners on the blocks closest to Henderson and Magnolia should expect the most change.
How do these projects fit together?
Taken together, the three projects cluster along the Near Southside's northern and western edges, where the neighborhood meets downtown and the Henderson Street corridor. That is where the biggest changes in traffic and activity will be felt first. Interior residential blocks farther south are less likely to see direct effects, though they will share in the broader dining options.
Residents who want to follow what comes next can watch a few things:
- Building permits and construction fencing on the hotel site, which will signal when work actually begins
- Opening announcements from the Public Market's restaurant team
- Parking changes on Magnolia as new restaurants open and the dinner crowd grows
- Zoning cases on nearby parcels, since one approved project often encourages others
What does all this mean for Near Southside buyers and sellers?
Our agents at The Agency Dallas who work the Near Southside find that buyers here want character and walkability, often in older homes on smaller lots. These projects strengthen the walkable side of that equation. A few considerations:
- For buyers: Visit at dinner hour and on a weekend. A block that is quiet at noon can be busy at 8 p.m.
- For sellers: New restaurants and a restored landmark are real talking points. Be ready to address parking questions honestly.
- For everyone: The City of Fort Worth adopted a property tax rate increase for fiscal 2027 to close a $94 million gap, though KERA reported the average city bill on a typical home was projected to fall slightly because residential values declined.
The Agency Dallas works with buyers across North Texas, and our neighborhoods page compares many of the areas we serve. Our market reports offer regional context on pricing and inventory.
Frequently asked questions
When does Commodore Tavern open on Magnolia?
PaperCity's October 26, 2026 list of anticipated Fort Worth openings said Commodore Tavern and Terrace planned to open in December 2026 at 1101 W. Magnolia Ave., in the former Magnolia Wine Bar space. Restaurant openings often shift, so check the restaurant's own channels for a confirmed date before planning a visit.
Is the Fort Worth Public Market open?
Partly. The market's website lists The Harden, the apartment component behind the market, as open. The restaurant Madrone, the Willow lounge and the cafe had no announced opening dates, and PaperCity's October 2026 list described Madrone as still under construction. The restoration is led by Wilks Development.
Was the Henderson Street hotel approved?
Fort Worth Magazine reported that the City Council approved the rezoning 8-1 for a six-story, 138-room hotel on Henderson Street between Magnolia Avenue and Oleander Street. Some nearby residents opposed it over parking and traffic. The article did not give a construction schedule or opening date for the project.
Is the Near Southside a good fit for buyers who want walkability?
For many buyers, yes. Magnolia Avenue is the neighborhood's main dining street, and new projects along Henderson and Lancaster extend activity. Walkability varies block to block, so buyers should walk the route from a specific home to the places they would actually use, at the times they would use them.
Sources
- PaperCity, Fort Worth's 14 Most Anticipated New Restaurant Openings This Fall (Oct. 26, 2026)
- Fort Worth Public Market
- 360West Magazine, New Restaurant to Open Inside Fort Worth Public Market (June 5, 2025)
- Fort Worth Magazine, Near Southside Hotel Plans Move Forward After Council Vote
- KERA News, Fort Worth Proposes Property Tax Rate Bump (Aug. 12, 2026)
