Mark Harris, a vice president at the James R. Harris Partners real estate development firm in Fort Worth, has launched his own commercial development company called 8 Feet Development.

The new venture will buy, preserve, repurpose and lease classic and underutilized buildings, he said.

Harris, who will serve as president, said 8 Feet is currently updating and leasing several buildings in Fort Worth, including aone-story, 4,650-square-foot retail/office building built in 1940 at 4696 and 4698 Camp Bowie Blvd., at Kenley Street. Harris and an investment group, 4650 Camp Bowie, LP, acquired the property in November.

The building is fully leased and the tenants will start moving in next month. They include House Essential, an interior design firm, at 4696 Camp Bowie Blvd.; Byrd & Bleecker, a retailer specializing in custom social stationery and personal correspondence, at 4698 Camp Bowie Blvd.; Tucker Brown, a women’s clothing store, around the corner at 2060 Kenley St.; and, Grit and Gold Wedding Coordination at 2070 Kenley St.. Rodger Chieffalo of Chieffalo Realty was leasing agent for 8 Feet.

Another building is at 311 N. University Dr., which was built as a church in the 1950s. It is being remodeled into a modern, open-concept office space with 7,472 square feet. Harris and an investment group, 311 Partners, LP, bought the building in December 2013.

In addition to 8 Feet Development, two other tenants will move in when that building is ready this fall, including James R. Harris Partners and Anna H Interiors, a provider of commercial and residential interior design services. Anna H Interiors is owned by Anna Harris, the daughter of James R. Harris and the sister of Mark Harris.

Mark Harris will continue as vice president, asset and property manager of James R. Harris Partners; vice president of asset properties for HF Management Cos.; and property manager of Foch Street LP, Foch South LP and Ridgmar Retail Group.

Published in Star-Telegram, June 28, 2015; Sandra Baker