History
Woodhaven History
Early development in Fort Worth concentrated in and around the central Downtown, Camp Bowie to the west, Texas Christian University to the south, and the Stockyards to the north. In 1866 pioneer W.J. Boaz, a local land trader from Tennessee, began purchasing parcels of land in East Fort Worth and eventually assembled the 740-acre Boaz Ranch Estate. This landmark estate remained in the Boaz family for 103 years as one of Tarrant County's most historic range lands. In 1969 a group of investors, including Governor John Connally, Fort Worth oil man Perry Bass, and his son Sid Bass purchased the the 700-acre Boaz tract. Attracted to the area's hilltop views, abundance of trees, and access to both Dallas and Fort Worth, the investors envisioned a model community with single-family homes, high-rise and garden apartments, office buildings, retail shopping centers, and a private country club.
Development History
The developers commissioned the Fort Worth firm of Carter & Burgess to plan and excute the project, and hired Janet Rodman, one of the first female developers in Texas, to be the project manager. The 149- acre Woodhaven Country Club is the centerpiece of the development, complete with a championship 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, swimming pool, and clubhouse. Lon Howard and pro-golfer Terry Dill designed the 6,543 yard, par 71 golf course. The club house retains some of the rustic flavor of the original Boaz Ranch Estate. Styles of the custom built homes range from modern to neo-classical, many with their own pools. The original plan for the development also included a range of residential options including town homes, garden homes, and golf villas.
Original concept plan for "Woodhaven Country Club Estates" by Carter & Burgess in the early 1970s.; click to enlarge
Apartment Design and Construction
The apartments that were built during the 1970s and 80s were originally designed for adult-only living. The complexes were densely built, with over 60% as one-bedroom units. Recreational facilities were limited. Although some complexes had swimming pools and tennis courts, none had family-friendly green spaces or playground facilities.