Bob Moore Construction Highlights Key Factors Driving Retail Demand Amid Changing Market Conditions
Despite recent closures by national retailers such as JOANN, Party City, and Big Lots that led to slight increases in retail vacancies, Dallas-Fort Worth continues to exhibit notable resilience and strength. The market recorded 2.3 million square feet of positive net absorption over the past year, underscoring robust tenant demand. DFW’s retail pipeline remains active, with approximately 4.4 million square feet currently under construction, mostly driven by strong pre-leasing activity.
New developments are primarily emerging in suburban locations outside the core urban areas, capitalizing on demographic shifts and growing populations in regions like Tarrant County. The new H-Mart anchored retail center in Haltom City epitomizes this suburban retail expansion strategy, strategically positioned to capture regional demand.
Bob Moore Construction is collaborating with developer Haltom City Forest Properties and Alliance Architects on H-Mart Plaza, a project that exemplifies broader trends in the DFW retail market. Achieving roughly 90% pre-leasing before opening, the project demonstrates strong tenant interest in strategically located new retail spaces.
This project also mirrors tenant mix shifts occurring across the DFW retail landscape. Within the H-Mart Plaza, 36 individual spaces are being offered (excluding the main H-Mart store), with a median size of 3,100 square feet. These spaces accommodate a diverse range of tenant needs, from 1,500 square feet to as large as 14,000 square feet, aligning with increased demand for smaller, specialized retail spaces under 5,000 square feet. Such a flexible leasing strategy ensures diverse tenant attraction, maintaining vibrancy and sustained consumer appeal.
Additionally, new retail developments like this typically command premium rents, averaging around $29 per square foot compared to $20 for older properties. This rent premium further validates market demand for quality construction, strategic locations, and tenant-aligned design, all of which are embodied in the Haltom City project.
Handling complex retail projects successfully requires extensive expertise and strategic execution, strengths consistently demonstrated by Bob Moore Construction, which has developed over 4 million square feet of retail space across the DFW metroplex. Bob Moore Construction’s capacity to manage large-scale projects, mitigate construction risks such as supply chain disruptions, and deliver on accelerated schedules is clearly reflected in their role at the Haltom City H-Mart development.
Mark Duvall, Executive Vice President at Bob Moore Construction, notes, “The retail market in DFW continues to show exceptional resilience. Our approach—proactively managing construction logistics and optimizing project delivery—positions our clients for long-term success.”
Duvall further emphasizes, “Projects like H-Mart Plaza highlight the future of retail development—strategically designed to accommodate evolving consumer preferences and maximize tenant performance.”
Bob Moore Construction President Kyle Whitesell underscores the broader market significance: “Retail construction today requires detailed planning and market insight. This project is a clear example of aligning strategic development practices with consumer-driven demand, creating valuable and sustainable retail destinations.”
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