Fort Worth celebrates a major preservation win as the former Our Lady of Victory Academy, a red‑brick Gothic Revival landmark built in 1910, reopens as Maren Grove – a mixed‑income affordable‑housing complex that will serve dozens of families in the Shaw‑Clark neighborhood.
From school to community hub
The five‑story building at 801 W. Shaw St., once a Catholic boarding school, has been meticulously restored. Its newly painted corridors now house 90 studio, one‑, two‑ and three‑bedroom units, many with balconies or lofts. The project also includes an adjacent residential building designed to echo the original school’s architecture.
Maren Grove, a name that blends a modern take on Mary with a nod to a forest, offers units for families earning between 30 % and 80 % of the area median income. Residents will enjoy a fully furnished clubhouse, business center, fitness facility, outdoor playground, and a free pre‑kindergarten program for up to 40 children, with low‑cost options for neighborhood kids.
Funding and partners
The $33.5 million development received 9 % housing tax credits from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, along with additional federal and state credits. Developer O‑SDA Industries partnered with United Community Centers to launch the pre‑K program, while Redstone Equity Partners and Pivotal Residential contributed financing and expertise.
Amergy Bank, a longtime supporter of affordable‑housing initiatives, pledged half a billion dollars statewide to produce 10,000 units, underscoring the bank’s commitment to solving the housing crisis. Charles Schwab’s Westlake office added a $5,000 grant to support the early‑education component.
Community voices
“Since moving here, things have changed for the better,” said Sametra Walton, a Maren Grove resident. Council member Elizabeth Beck called the project a “bastion of our community,” noting its proximity to the Victory Forest Community Center and a high‑use transit corridor that will connect residents to well‑paying jobs.
State Rep. Ramon Romero, D‑Fort Worth, recalled attending the school as a child and praised the development for addressing the soaring cost of housing. “The affordable‑housing crisis is still growing at an alarming rate, but 90 families will now have a place to call home,” said Andy Markenson, director of acquisitions for Redstone Equity Partners.
Preserving history
Preservation advocates, including former mayor Kenneth Barr and former U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, lauded the effort to retain the building’s historic character. Megan Lasch, president of O‑SDA Industries, highlighted the careful restoration of original windows and stonework, noting that the city covered budget overruns to ensure the project’s completion.
The building’s legacy stretches back to 1908, when the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur purchased the site to educate young women. Over the decades, the academy evolved into a junior college and played a pivotal role in Fort Worth’s medical education. Its integration in the early 1950s pre‑dated federal mandates, reflecting a long‑standing commitment to equality.
Looking ahead
With Maren Grove now open, Fort Worth adds a vital piece of affordable housing to its growing portfolio, while honoring a century‑old educational institution. The project demonstrates how historic preservation, community partnership, and strategic financing can combine to create lasting, family‑focused neighborhoods.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
