Clifton Riverside

The Situation – Locale

A pie shaped group of property lots fronting one of the only sections of the Trinity River, sits between two major roadways, connecting vehicular traffic to and from Downtown Ft. Worth, TX. In a neighborhood which has had a variety of development uses, and an incohesive nature, in the eyes of The City of Ft. Worth, the push for urbanization and density has been put forth by The City. The neighborhood is colorful and growing. The site this project now occupies is a key development location that will foster new growth for this gateway into the downtown district.

DEVELOPER:

Overland Property Group

TYPE:

Affordable Housing/Multi-Family

SCALE:

(1) 94 unit apartment building + Common amenity spaces, Courtyard, Roof Deck

Design Consideration

How to fit a multi-family building, with surface parking, on a tight, uniquely shaped and situated lot, while only having access to one section of the North roadway.

Developing anything along a major waterway and between two highways, is challenging, but in addition to that is the number of City planning and development agencies who govern over these features. To restrict the site further, a portion of the site was deemed undevelopable due to the proximity to the river, and is thus in discussion with the Parks department to gift that portion of land to the City department from our parcel. The benefit however, is that this project will always have direct visual and physical access to the river and the beautiful trails systems that run along it.

Advantages of the Design

The site has been built up out of the flood plain elevation as required, while maintaining access and visual presence with the river and trails. The entry lobby, leasing, and clubhouse amenity spaces were strategically relocated during the design phase to sit on the East side of the building. Now these spaces directly view over the river. Past the river is Downtown Ft. Worth. Now that the building is situated viewing over the river, the clubhouse-commons-fitness, and game rooms moved to the 4^th (top) floor to maximize these epic views. A large expanse of glass stretches across the whole length of these common spaces, making sure nothing impedes on that view. The common lounge glass façade was pulled back at an angle to make space for an exterior rooftop deck, above which, hangs a cantilevered sunshade structure to protect the glazing from the harsh afternoon Texas sun, and minimize glare on the interiors, but remain completely open underneath so no columns or structural members will block the view.

Not to be overlooked is the central courtyard. The entry lobby and common spaces on the ground level, afford the residents the ability to directly view and access the protected outdoor space, flowing together to create and indoor-outdoor connected environment. A variety of seating and lounge areas are scattered about the courtyard, gravitating around fire pits, bbq grills, exterior TV’s, and water features. The building itself is comprised of exterior walkways and stairs, allowing the building and the courtyard to have as much natural connection as possible, while being protected from the harsh exterior parking and busy highway environments.