We’re halfway through 2024, and like the triple digit temps around here, the Fort Worth market just keeps heating up. Fort Worth is still experiencing rapid growth and remains highly sought after for corporate relocations and expansion efforts, and great companies just keep showing up. From its diverse community to its Western heritage, there is no shortage of reasons that Fort Worth is a great place to work and live. As business here booms and our portfolio in the area grows, here are some of the things we’ve noticed and some of our favorite projects in this iconic city.

Everything’s bigger in Texas, and Fort Worth is no exception. It’s the fifth-largest city in Texas and the 12^th largest city in the entire country, offering the amenities of a big city, but with small-town charm. Go anywhere in Fort Worth and you’ll understand why its nickname is “Cowtown,” with the Stockyards Historic District being a centerpiece of gathering and entertainment. Although the spotlight for business opportunity has been on this city for a while now, the hype around it and expansion efforts have not slowed down, not in the slightest. It’s the fastest-growing city in the nation by percentage, with its population growing by 81% since 2000 and an increase of 21,365 residents just in the last year.

So, what’s fueling this ongoing growth?

From the Stockyards to Sundance Square to the Fort Worth Zoo, the city offers great places to live, eat and have a good time, but one of the catalysts for recent growth and economic opportunity lies within office developments. As more people choose Fort Worth to live and work, the demand for more office space and Class A buildings is apparent and rapidly increasing. And it’s one we’re seeing developers move swiftly to meet. They’re investing billions of dollars to develop more space in popular districts and uncover hidden gems that’ll only encourage more to take advantage of this North Texas city.

And as Fort Worth is made more development-friendly, the timing couldn’t be better. Not only are more and more people moving to Texas, at the same time we’re also witnessing a trend to “return to office,” with a surge of companies seeking permanent office spaces to collaborate with their teams and use their space as a sales tool. This is in contrast to the 100% remote, work-from-home model that was in place during the pandemic and just after. As these new developments and buildings come to life, the city only becomes more attractive and offers new, untapped potential.

Given Fort Worth’s thriving economy, we couldn’t be more excited about our ongoing work here and serving clients from our new Fort Worth-based office. Located at Summit Office Park, we’re right on the perimeter of downtown Fort Worth with quick access to the bustling Medical, Cultural and West 7^th Districts. And not to mention, a front row seat to the ongoing expansion efforts.

After 35 years of working in this great city, there are a number of Fort Worth-based projects that we’re proud to have completed. One of the most unique spaces we’ve built took us to the legendary Horse and Mule Barns of Fort Worth’s Mule Alley. Dating back to 1909, what once served as horse and mule barns during the Stockyard’s heyday now exists as a sleek, 80,000 square-foot development in the Stockyards Historic District – and it’s Simpli.Fi’s current office space. High ceilings, modern open workspaces and preserving the historical integrity of the barns are just some of the features that earned the project a CoreNet Global Professional Excellence Award. We built this space well before the recent growth and attention the city has experienced, and it’s been exciting to see the area flourish and come to life even more than before.

Another Fort Worth highlight is our work for Mercedes Benz Financial Services. Pacific Builders was selected during design development to finish out their brand-new, build-to-suit regional office in Alliance. Our team had to complete this while the shell building was still being constructed, requiring intricate planning and coordination, particularly for the technology walls and smart conference rooms. The award-winning facility mixes classic design with state-of-the-art smart technology and features a full-sized commercial kitchen and cafe, restaurant-grade walk-in refrigeration and freezers, and a wood-burning pizza oven.

A final project we’re proud to have completed was for none other than Kiewit Corporation. Two project phases and 92,000 square feet later, their Westlake-based office is nothing but state of the art. Working hand in hand with Noddle Companies and HOK, diligent and proactive planning was required to bring this cutting-edge space to life. The stunning vaulted ceilings, full-service café and blend of steel and high-end millwork finishes throughout set this workplace apart from the rest.

Jackson Walker, Weaver, Pegasus Resources, Kiewit and Volvo are just some of the other companies we’ve had the pleasure to partner with recently.

From corporate interiors to restaurants and industrial work, we look forward to meeting ongoing demand for space in Fort Worth and witnessing the incredible growth this inviting area is bound to continue experiencing.

The last few years have taken us on a wild ride in the world of commercial interiors in DFW. From supply chain shortages to economic uncertainty to incredible growth, the landscape has evolved while the demand remains strong. As we move through 2024, it’s evident that new challenges are emerging, but so are the opportunities. Let’s delve into what lies ahead.

Fierce Competition and Unprecedented Growth

DFW drives great economic growth, attracting companies from across the nation and all over the world. This influx of businesses has not only fueled growth but has also intensified competition, a match we love to play even in our own industry as we demonstrate our deep roots, strong local partnerships and a reputation backed by a diverse portfolio that has only expanded along with the region.

Cautious Optimism Amidst Uncertainty

While there’s great interest and demand in the market, cautious optimism prevails for those businesses navigating through uncertainties. Many are adopting a ‘hurry up and wait’ approach, awaiting favorable conditions such as lower interest rates, a favorable political climate, direction on corporate return to work protocols or new vacancies to open up. For us that means a longer real estate cycle for some projects followed by an accelerated construction schedule.

New Challenges on the Horizon

One of the most pressing challenges facing our industry is the shortage of qualified tradesmen, particularly in millwork. This scarcity is felt across every project, creating hurdles in scheduling and execution. With our network of partners, we’re addressing this issue by integrating workforce development initiatives into our operations. Our future internal trainee program will help develop skilled professionals and meet demand while elevating construction as the rewarding profession it is.

Embracing New Opportunities

Despite the challenges, there’s a silver lining on the horizon. With more and more employees returning to the office and Fort Worth experiencing a surge in office spaces like The Crescent filling up before they’re even built, there’s ample room for growth and innovation. The resurgence of office culture presents an opportunity for the industry to reimagine workspaces that prioritize flexibility, collaboration, wellness and productivity.

Thinking Outside the Zip Code

From downtown to uptown, Irving to Frisco, all the way to Fort Worth, DFW boasts a variety of desirable districts for doing business. In the last few years, quite a few hot pockets have been added to the list and it’s been a pleasure to discover these areas firsthand and grow our business alongside these attractive corporate destinations.

Pacific Builders, the DFW interiors construction firm known for building high-end, dynamic spaces, recently opened a second office in Fort Worth at Summit Office Park with a designated team focused on this market.

For 35 years, Pacific Builders has elevated the experience for clients throughout the DFW metroplex and has built an extensive portfolio of work in Fort Worth over the years. Award-winning work in the Fort Worth Stockyards for Simpli.fi, impressive projects in the downtown and cultural district with Common Grounds, Jackson Walker, Weaver and Pegasus Resources, as well as work in surrounding markets for Mercedes Benz Financial Services, Kiewit and Volvo are just some of the brands Pacific Builders has ushered into the area over the last few years.

As the North Texas Region experiences unprecedented economic growth, Fort Worth has emerged as a top area for corporate relocations and expansion efforts. To serve their growing roster of clients eyeing this iconic city, Pacific Builders knew it was time to open a Fort Worth-based office.

“As Fort Worth booms, so does the demand for an interiors construction company that knows the city and its commercial real estate landscape,” said Steve French, chief executive officer of Pacific Builders. “We know this area well and opening an office here positions us to bring even more spaces that inspire to this exceptional city in the future.”

“Fort Worth is thriving with economic opportunity, and we couldn’t be more excited about our ongoing work here,” adds Joe Wood, president of Pacific Builders. “It has created tremendous opportunities for our team and our partners to not only keep up with the trends but to forge new paths. From corporate interiors to industrial work, we look forward to meeting demand for space in this inviting area.”

The new space perfectly positions them for the growth they’re experiencing in the area and as branding is finalized, will reflect their company mission and values throughout.

Pacific Builders’ collective goal is to elevate the experience for clients and the new office allows them to meet that goal while building on their 35-year legacy as a trusted partner.

In the dot com era, companies created spaces to recruit talent and give them no reason to go home. It was not unrealistic to have daycare, dentists and dinner all part of the office experience. Today, it’s more about flexible work arrangements and creating spaces that inspire employees to want to head to the office versus staying at home. It’s about designing a space that makes the team feel valued, even pampered, and bringing in some hotel and home elements to be less like the boring offices of the past. Today’s office could help you lock in your ideal recruit, differentiating you from the competition and getting them to yes much faster. Much like traditional medical benefits have evolved to meet people where they are in life, offices are evolving too – especially post pandemic – and the focus on people is a critical part of the package. Could your space give you an edge? Absolutely. Here are the latest trends to elevate the employee experience.

How have office spaces changed to accommodate hybrid schedules/remote workforces?

The biggest difference post pandemic is that offices have more of a hospitality feel. We’re incorporating more lounges and soft seating. There are living room type areas and the amenities to match. Break rooms have doubled in size to support catered meals and more room for gatherings. And, it’s not uncommon to see high-end espresso machines and other upscale offerings to engage and treat the team.

What are the top new features or trends that motivate people to come in?

We’ve gone from open to even more open spaces to encourage collaboration and maximize natural light. Today’s finishes are high end and the designs we bring to life are increasingly custom, innovative and in line with current trends. In fact, one of our favorite new features is helping pickle ball courts go corporate.

What are some examples of office features geared toward employee wellness/intentional design that you’ve seen? Has anything changed?

From flexible work schedules to investing in flexible workstations, companies are giving employees more control and more choice. Not only are there mother’s rooms, but there are also wellness rooms, meditation areas and nap pods. New buildings are featuring more outdoor areas and to give employees a more direct line of sight to the outside, more and more architects are moving offices off the exterior.

What has gone away with flexible work schedules?

Traditional breakrooms have had such a makeover they’re barely recognizable. They’re still called the breakroom, but they’ve doubled in size and the amenities are a draw to get people in the door. Much like the kitchen is the focal point of a home, today’s breakroom is a critical component to any new office space and feature all the upgrades of a well-dressed home or in some cases a favorite coffee shop.

What do you think is coming next?

The war on talent will continue to drive innovation in interiors construction because to entice and impress people, you must raise the bar whether you are hybrid or not. In response, we’re seeing so much movement in our industry and enthusiasm for creating spaces that have never been done before. The Texas economy is strong, and it has created tremendous opportunities for our team and our partners to not only keep up with the trends but to forge new paths.

Last year at this time, we were grappling with supply chain shortages. Towards the end of 2022, there were fears that the economic slowdown would impact our region and our industry. Today, some of the country’s most admired brands deem North Texas the best place to work and live and we’re experiencing some of the greatest opportunities in our company’s history. That’s not to say there aren’t a new set of challenges that could impact your project. Read on to see the state of the industry and what we’re planning around to stay on schedule and on budget.

What’s remained readily available?

For the last three years, carpet, resilient flooring and base have been largely unaffected. Our research tells us that this is no accident. Flooring manufacturers produce in high volume so finding the right country, manufacturer or supplier to source components and raw materials from make all the difference.

What’s vanished?

It’s always nice to see when a massive issue has largely gone away. Not too long ago, it was nearly impossible to get metal studs and insulation. Today, it’s readily available and delivered in 4-6 weeks, tops.

What’s unchanged…and still a problem?

Lights are a major issue – one we see continuing for the foreseeable future. At least 50% of fixtures don’t make their promised shipping date and most shipping dates are longer than they were before the pandemic. In addition, smaller HVAC equipment like fan powered, variable air volume and fan coil units are still taking 4 to 8 weeks. We know how to plan around this and work closely with our subs to understand production, availability and ship times.

What’s still a massive issue?

Technology companies love calling North Texas home so it’s important to know that most Computer Room Air Conditioner (CRAC) units still have 40+ week lead times. Specialty units take over a year and some have no production dates assigned.

Factor in 6-12 months lead time for lighting and audio-visual controls and 4-6 months for electrical switchgear. Ceramic, porcelain and stone tiles seem to be a larger issue than ever before with most well over 8 weeks on a regular basis, regardless of whether they’re economical or specialty. To top off some of the biggest wait times, large air handler and roof top units still come with very long lead times and one can expect anywhere between 12 and 36 weeks in most cases.

It’s safe to say that the more technology and brains in the equipment, the longer it is going to take to get. So while we are in a better place than last year at this time, there are still some supply chain challenges to plan around.

What’s trending?

The demand for high quality work, fixtures, materials and spaces remains high and no matter what shortages or timelines exist, we can deliver. Private company or Fortune 500, our clients want their spaces made to order. Our challenge – one we love to accept – is  making their dreams on paper a reality. We love figuring out how to execute. As companies have adopted hybrid schedules and others go 100% remote, we’re building office spaces to be a place to impress your prospects, showcase products and services, and attract top talent. And for those coming in just a few days a week, a place that employees want to be. And perhaps the biggest post-pandemic trend is the emphasis on spaces that inspire collaboration. From meeting rooms, common areas to outdoor features, creating opportunities for people to interact and share ideas has been a priority for our clients.

Competition is also a big trend. There is so much growth in North Texas and competition for Class A space, we’re working with clients that are investing in Class B space to make it more competitive. We’re also seeing greater demand in Fort Worth where we’re growing our team and have completed some of our favorite projects of all time.

What’s ahead?

No matter what the year holds, staying on schedule has always been critical and with product shortages and market uncertainty, our focus on scheduling our projects strategically keeps our timelines on track and budgets in check. It also gives us the time and space to innovate and expand our portfolio. There’s no doubt that the last few years have been met with challenges our industry has never experienced before. Our ability to maintain world-class service while ensuring that we adapt, evolve and scale with the times will always set us apart.