What's it like to live in Ridgmar?
Generous lots are the draw in Ridgmar, an established west Fort Worth neighborhood of late-1950s to 1970s homes north of I-30, next to Shady Oaks Country Club and about six miles from downtown. Deep front yards and wide streets give it a more spread-out feel than most neighborhoods this close to the center of the city.
The big news in 2026 isn't about the houses. It's about the mall. Ridgmar Mall was sold this year and is slated to become a logistics campus, and if you're buying here, you should understand that plan. I cover it below.
Where is Ridgmar?
According to the Ridgmar Neighborhood Association, the area covers roughly 1,200 acres with Highway 183 on the west, Roaring Springs Road on the east, and Interstate 30 on the south. It sits just west of Westover Hills and north of Ridglea North. (Ridgmar Neighborhood Association)
Westworth Village and NAS Fort Worth JRB are close by to the north, and Camp Bowie is a few minutes south.
A short history of Ridgmar
J. Marvin Leonard, one of Fort Worth's best-known businessmen, bought a large piece of this land from the Amon G. Carter Foundation in 1956, according to the neighborhood association (Shady Oaks' own history puts the purchase in 1955). He built Shady Oaks Country Club first, in 1956 and 1957. Houses started in 1957, beginning on Dakar Road.
The association's history has some good details. During World War II, anti-aircraft bunkers sat on this then-empty land to protect the Convair plant (later General Dynamics, now Lockheed Martin), and they had to be removed before homes could be built. The original deed restrictions called for wood shingle roofs, a rule that faded after bad fires elsewhere. Many streets have 40-foot setbacks instead of the usual 25, some have rear-entry garages, and the street names run alphabetically.
J.C. Penney bought land here in 1969. (Ridgmar history) Ridgmar Mall opened in 1976, with JCPenney among its original stores. (CultureMap Fort Worth)
Shady Oaks has its own story. Leonard met Ben Hogan when Hogan was a young caddy at Glen Garden, and the two became lifelong friends. When Leonard showed him the land, Hogan reportedly begged him not to build a course on terrain that hilly. Leonard built it anyway. (Shady Oaks Country Club) It's a private club, so joining is separate from buying a home.
What kind of homes are in Ridgmar?
Ranch, mid-century modern, and traditional homes, mostly built from the late 1950s through the 1970s. The lots are the selling point. Backyards are big and the trees are mature, and those deep setbacks make the streets feel open.
Many houses have been updated, and some are still close to original. With homes of this age, I'd look hard at the roof, the foundation, the sewer line, and the electrical panel. A sewer scope is cheap insurance on a house with 60-year-old lines.
What should buyers know about the Ridgmar Mall redevelopment?
In August 2026, Dallas-based Ramrock Real Estate announced it had bought Ridgmar Mall. With partners Lincoln Property Co. and KBC Advisors, it plans to replace the mall with Ridgmar 30 Logistics Crossing, six warehouse buildings totaling about 931,000 square feet on the roughly 75-acre site. Demolition could start in 12 to 18 months, and construction is tentatively expected to begin in 2028. (CultureMap Fort Worth)
JCPenney announced it would close its Ridgmar store on November 1, 2026. (CultureMap Fort Worth)
I don't think anyone can tell you yet exactly how this will affect home values. What I'd do as a buyer: look at where the house sits relative to the mall site, think about truck routes and construction once work starts, and keep an eye on city zoning and planning updates as the project moves forward. Some neighbors may also see a redeveloped site as better than a mostly empty mall. Both views are reasonable.
Neighborhood association and parks
The Ridgmar Neighborhood Association has been around since 1981. Its big annual event is National Night Out at Mary and Marvin Leonard Park, 6478 Genoa Road, with food, a band, and a kids' area. It has also hosted Easter egg hunts and Santa in the Park.
What schools serve Ridgmar?
It varies by address. Fort Worth ISD serves much of the west side, but White Settlement ISD also serves the western portion of Fort Worth, so confirm the district for the specific house. (White Settlement ISD) For Fort Worth ISD, use the School Finder.
What's near Ridgmar?
All of these were open when I checked in fall 2026:
- Hawks Creek Golf Club, 6520 White Settlement Rd in Westworth Village, a public course on the old Carswell golf course.
- Walmart Supercenter, 6770 Westworth Blvd in Westworth Village.
- Ridglea Theater, 6025 Camp Bowie Blvd.
- Campisi's, 6150 Camp Bowie Blvd.
- Fred's Texas Cafe, 7101 Camp Bowie W Blvd.
- Szechuan Chinese Restaurant, 5712 Locke Ave.
The Airfield Falls trailhead in Westworth Village gets you onto the Trinity Trails.
Is Ridgmar a good place to live?
I think so, for the right buyer. You get lot sizes that are hard to find this close to downtown, quick I-30 access, and an association with decades of history. Shady Oaks next door adds green space even if you never play it.
There are question marks, though. The mall site will be a construction zone for a while, and a logistics campus is a different neighbor than a shopping mall. The houses are 50 to 70 years old. Highway 183 and I-30 bring noise to the edges. And with the base nearby, you'll hear aircraft.
If you want space and an established neighborhood, and you're comfortable with some uncertainty on the commercial side, Ridgmar deserves a look. I've written more about the city overall in Is Fort Worth a Good Place to Live?
Ridgmar FAQs
Who developed Ridgmar?
J. Marvin Leonard bought the land from the Amon G. Carter Foundation in 1956, built Shady Oaks Country Club, and homes started going up in 1957.
What is happening to Ridgmar Mall?
Ramrock Real Estate bought it in 2026 and plans to demolish it for a six-building logistics campus called Ridgmar 30 Logistics Crossing. Construction is tentatively expected to start in 2028.
Are Ridgmar lots large?
Generally, yes. Many streets have 40-foot front setbacks, and big backyards are common.
Is Shady Oaks Country Club public?
No. It's a private club, and buying a home in Ridgmar doesn't include membership.
What school district is Ridgmar in?
It varies by address. Fort Worth ISD and White Settlement ISD both serve parts of west Fort Worth, so check the specific house on the district finders.
If you're considering Ridgmar and want to talk through the mall situation for a specific street, call or text me at 432.215.9177.