Joel Heydenburk Takes Leadership Reins for Real Estate Council of Greater Fort Worth

Joel Heydenburk assumes leadership of the Real Estate Council of Greater Fort Worth in intriguing times for real estate in Fort Worth.

Heydenburk succeeds former Fort Worth Mayor Kenneth Barr as the board of directors chair. Heydenburk is a partner with Jackson Walker, where he focuses on real estate transactions and operated associated with commercial real estate.

“The Real Estate Council has been a leader in advancing commercial real estate interests and the community at large for years, and I look forward to working with the association to continue its mission.”

Joel Heydenburk on his new role

The Real Estate Council of Greater Fort Worth is made up of more than 500 members from more than 250 companies involved in commercial real estate development.

Besides conducting events and programs, members work closely with civic, business, and public service leaders and address policy issues that affect development in Tarrant County.

Heydenburk takes command when the commercial real estate market in the city has evolved over the past few years. This includes Panther Island, a planned development and $1.17 billion flood control project on the Trinity River in Fort Worth, which is north of downtown and south of the Stockyards. Developers envision a river walk similar to San Antonio’s.

City leaders and others involved with the project plan to gather this summer to consider whether existing plans need updating or tweaking, Michael Bennett, CEO of Bennett Partners Architecture, told the Fort Worth Business Press.

Bennett’s firm is leading the project for the Real Estate Council of Greater Fort Worth.

“Look at the office market,” Bennett said. “Since the pandemic, many concepts about the office market have changed as work has changed. There might not make any changes, but it’s things like that we should consider as we move forward.”

Last year, the council commissioned a survey that asked 400 Fort Worth voters whether the city’s leadership was on the right track. The survey found that job growth and the economy are tied with education as the biggest issues facing Fort Worth. The poll was conducted by Austin-based Perception Insight a full year before the rise in inflation and interest rates.

At Jackson Walker, Heydenburk represents landlords and tenants in preparing and negotiating commercial lease agreements in Texas and other states. He also represents buyers and sellers in acquiring and selling commercial properties ranging from $100,000 to more than $600 million. He also represents commercial real estate owners in telecommunications matters.

Heydenburk attended Texas Christian University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He received an MBA and his law degree from Texas Tech University.

“This organization remains one of the most important civic organizations in the region, and Joel has been an outstanding member of the board for years and will serve our community well in his new role,” Barr said in a statement.

The council also welcomed Rick Jenkins as treasurer. Jenkins is the Arlington market president for Encore Bank, a technology-driven concierge bank serving commercial clients.

Also joining the council are board members Sarah LanCarte of LanCarte Commercial Real Estate and Rachel Navejar Phillips of the Rios Group. The council also have new ex-officio directors: Andy Taft of Downtown Fort Worth, Mike Brennan of Near Southside, and Stacy Marshall of Southeast Fort Worth.

To learn more about the council, visit recouncilgfw.com.