FORT WORTH — A landmark south Fort Worth building that housed an all-female Catholic boarding school has reopened as Maren Grove, a 90-unit affordable housing development that includes bilingual pre-kindergarten services and a host of community amenities.
Historic building preserved, repurposed for families
The former Our Lady of the Victory Academy at 801 W. Shaw St., built in 1909, was transformed by O-SDA Industries, an Austin and Fort Worth-based affordable housing developer. The academy, which also served as the home of the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur and later operated as the Victory Arts Center after a 2004 renovation, closed as a school in 2021 when declining enrollment and changing educational options reduced demand.
Developers said the completed Maren Grove offers a range of unit sizes from studio apartments to three-bedroom homes designed to serve families earning between 30% and 80% of area median income (AMI). The property provides typical resident amenities including a clubhouse and community room, a business center, a fitness center and Wi-Fi in common areas.
On-site early childhood services and enrollment details
United Community Centers will operate on-site pre-K services at Maren Grove. The program is described as bilingual and will be available to up to 40 children. According to project materials and statements from O-SDA, enrollment is open to all Fort Worth families; however, nonresidents who enroll in the pre-K program will be required to pay tuition.
“All Fort Worth families are eligible to enroll, but those not living at Maren Grove will have to pay tuition.”
The developer emphasized that families who do not live at Maren Grove can enroll in the pre-K program even if they do not meet the income restrictions that apply to the apartment units.
Funding and neighborhood context
O-SDA said the project was financed through a combination of state and federal tax credits, grants and loans. The approach is typical for affordable housing projects that repurpose historic structures, allowing developers to leverage multiple funding streams while preserving architectural character.
Maren Grove sits near other residential projects in the area; the Livano Victory Forest development at 3320 Hemphill St. has been planned for several years but is not yet complete. The area’s mix of preservation and new development reflects broader trends in south Fort Worth as demand rises for both affordable housing and market-rate units close to job centers and transportation corridors.
What remains from the building’s earlier uses
In addition to its decades as a Catholic boarding school, the property briefly housed a small Catholic college in the mid-2010s. The adaptive reuse preserved the building’s historical footprint while converting interior spaces to modern apartment layouts and community facilities.
- Address: 801 W. Shaw St., south Fort Worth
- Units: 90 apartments (studio to three-bedroom)
- Income target: 30%–80% of AMI
- Pre-K slots: Up to 40 children (bilingual)
- Year built: 1909; school closed in 2021
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Units | 90 |
| Pre-K capacity | 40 children |
| Income range | 30%–80% AMI |
City officials and neighborhood advocates have often pointed to adaptive reuse as a strategy to expand the housing supply while retaining local character. Projects like Maren Grove can serve lower-income families, connect children to early-education services and keep historic architecture in active use.
As Maren Grove opens, Fort Worth residents and neighborhood stakeholders will be watching how the development integrates with nearby projects and whether the provision of bilingual pre-K and other community services helps stabilize family households in the area. The combination of historic preservation and affordable housing financing illustrates how public and private resources are being marshaled to meet both cultural and social needs in Fort Worth neighborhoods.
O-SDA and United Community Centers are expected to release additional details about move-in timelines and pre-K enrollment procedures in the coming weeks.
