The defunct Woodhaven Country Club has a new owner, but he is unsure what shape his new acquisition will take.
Will Northern, a seasoned professional in the real estate industry and former zoning commission chair for the City of Fort Worth, has taken over the 149-acre golf course and clubhouse, along with an additional 14 acres of land zoned for commercial use in the Woodhaven neighborhood. Northern secured these assets earlier this month for $8.5 million during a Tarrant County Courthouse foreclosure auction.
In addition to his zoning work and role as owner of Crescendo, Northern is also a partner at Northern Crain Realty, a full-service real estate brokerage led by Norther and Michael D. Crain. He also serves on Fort Worth’s Historic Cultural Landmarks Commission and the boards of Fort Worth South Inc. and Historic Fort Worth Inc.
Northern said he was still undecided on whether the property will remain a golf course. To help guide him, he plans to consult with local residents and other stakeholders in the community.
Fort Worth Mayor Pro Temp Gyna Bivens, who represents east Fort Worth, said she was happy with the new ownership.
“I am absolutely delighted to hear the news that Will Northern’s Crescendo Development has acquired this beautiful property, which holds so much promise… The timing is perfect since I have convened several meetings with Woodhaven stakeholders who are eager to see positive redevelopment take place,” Bivens said in a statement, per the Fort Worth Report.
Woodhaven Country Club LLC, the previous owner, defaulted on a $12 million loan. Northern said he assumed the debt before optioning the foreclosure.
According to Northern, more than nine out of 10 homes in the neighborhood are multifamily or townhomes, but many of the nearly two-dozen apartment complexes are considered substandard. Northern, who has been investing in and redeveloping properties in Fort Worth since 2012, said he sees a significant opportunity on the city’s east side.
“It’s shaping up to be a really unique opportunity when you take a step back and kind of take a macro look at Woodhaven,” said Northern, per the Dallas Business Journal.