Living in Downtown Fort Worth: Condos, Lofts & Sundance Square
By Brent Reiter, REALTOR® · Last updated November 4, 2026
Downtown Fort Worth has turned into a real neighborhood: about 11,300 residents, Sundance Square's plaza and restaurants, Bass Performance Hall, and a direct train to DFW Airport. Most housing is rental apartments, so for-sale condos and lofts are a smaller, specific market. Here's what to know if you're thinking about buying downtown.
At a Glance
- Downtown residents
- About 11,300 (end of 2025)
- Apartment units
- 7,079, with 1,592 more planned
- Zip code
- 76102
- Train to DFW Airport
- TEXRail from downtown stations
- High school (FWISD)
- Amon Carter-Riverside (verify)
- Short-term rentals
- Zoning allows; many condo rules don't
Resident and unit counts: Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. apartment summary, year-end 2025.
Where Downtown Is
The Fort Worth Downtown Neighborhood Alliance covers the area from Cold Springs Road / Samuels Avenue south to I-30, between I-35W and the Trinity River. Sundance Square, the roughly 35-block mixed-use district developed by the Bass family starting around 1980, is its center.
- Sundance Square Plaza (opened 2013), Bass Performance Hall, the Fort Worth Water Gardens, the Tarrant County Courthouse and the Convention Center
- TEXRail from Fort Worth Central Station and T&P Station straight to DFW Airport, plus the TRE to Dallas
- About 5–8 minutes to the [Near Southside](/insights/near-southside-fort-worth.html) and Medical District, and 10–15 minutes to TCU
- Trinity Trails access near Heritage Park behind the courthouse
What You Can Buy
Most of downtown's 7,000-plus homes are rental apartments. For-sale options are mostly condos and lofts, many in converted historic or office buildings (The Tower, the former Bank One Tower, became residential in 2005), plus a smaller number of townhomes at the edges. Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. reported apartment vacancy around 14% at the end of 2025 with slightly negative rent growth, which matters if you're buying to rent out.
Lock-and-leave living
No yard, walk to dinner and events, and a train to the airport. Popular with downsizers and frequent travelers.
Monthly HOA dues
Condo fees cover building insurance, amenities and reserves, and they can change your monthly budget as much as taxes do.
Before You Buy a Downtown Condo
- Read the resale certificate and condo documents. Texas condos are governed by the Uniform Condominium Act. Review the budget, reserves, any special assessments, and the rules on pets, rentals and remodeling.
- Confirm parking. Ask whether a deeded or assigned garage space comes with the unit; guest and event parking is mostly paid garages.
- Check rental rules before counting on income. Downtown's mixed-use zoning allows short-term rentals with city registration and the 9% hotel tax, but many condo declarations ban them.
- Check flood risk for buildings near the Trinity River on the west and north edges.
- Ask your lender early. Some condo buildings don't meet FHA or conventional lending requirements, which can limit financing.
Schools
Fort Worth ISD has been run by a state-appointed board of managers since March 2026, and it's consolidating schools through 2029. Zones below are from FWISD's 2026/27 school finder for sample addresses. Verify any specific address before you rely on it.
| Sample address | Elementary | Middle | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| 400 Main St | Versia L. Williams | Riverside | Amon Carter-Riverside |
| 1000 Throckmorton St | Versia L. Williams | Riverside | Amon Carter-Riverside |
Thinking about buying or selling in Fort Worth? I was born and raised here, and I help buyers and sellers across DFW from my office in the Mid-Cities. Call or text anytime, no pressure.
Brent Reiter, REALTOR®
Brent Sells DFW · 817-874-1602
Local Resources & Citations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people live in downtown Fort Worth?
About 11,300 residents at the end of 2025, according to Downtown Fort Worth, Inc., with 7,079 apartment units and about 1,600 more in the pipeline.
Can you take a train from downtown Fort Worth to DFW Airport?
Yes. TEXRail runs from Fort Worth Central Station and T&P Station directly to DFW Airport's Terminal B.
Are short-term rentals allowed in downtown Fort Worth condos?
Downtown's mixed-use zoning allows them with city registration and the 9% hotel occupancy tax, but many condo associations prohibit them. Check the building's declaration and rules before you buy.
What schools serve downtown Fort Worth?
Sample downtown addresses are zoned to Versia L. Williams Elementary, Riverside Middle and Amon Carter-Riverside High School in Fort Worth ISD for 2026/27. Verify by address.