What's the difference between Old Town Keller and Keller Town Center?
Keller has two distinct "downtown" areas a few miles apart. Old Town Keller is the city's original 1881 town site along Main Street (U.S. 377), with historic streets, locally owned shops, restaurants, and active redevelopment. Keller Town Center is a newer civic and commercial district along Bear Creek Parkway, home to Keller Town Hall, restaurants, offices, shopping, walking trails, and ponds. Same city, two very different settings.
By Kallie Spencer | November 3, 2026
Did you know Keller basically has two downtowns?
And no, they're not in the same place.
So the next time someone tells you to "meet me in downtown Keller," you'll want to ask: which one?
Watch the full video on YouTube
This is a facts-first Market Minute. Here's where each area is, how it came to be, what you'll find there, and how to compare them if you're shopping for a home in Keller.
Old Town Keller: The Original Town Site
Old Town Keller is where the city started.
The Texas and Pacific Railway line between Fort Worth and Texarkana reached this area in 1881, and new towns sprang up along the tracks. On July 19, 1881, a 40-acre town site was set aside here. It was first called Athol, and within about a year it was renamed Keller after John C. Keller, a foreman on the railroad.
Here's a detail I love: the streets in that original 40-acre site still carry the names they were given in 1881. North-south you have Lamar, Main, and Elm. East-west you have Price, Taylor, Hill, Vine, Bates, Olive, and Pecan.
Watch Kallie in Old Town Keller at 0:09
What you'll find in Old Town
- Locally owned shops, including vintage, resale, and antique stores
- Independent restaurants and coffee spots
- Historic buildings on a small, walkable street grid
- Bates Street Park and community event space
- Active redevelopment, plus the road construction that comes with it
I've spotlighted several of these businesses in my Hidden Gems series, like the Memories N' Treasures antique mall on Pecan Street and CocoDay's Bazaar, a vintage resale boutique on Olive Street.
What's changing in Old Town
As of November 2026, Old Town Keller has several projects in motion. The most visible is the Keller Depot redevelopment on Bates Street, where two century-old buildings are planned for coffee, dessert, and event space. Keller City Council approved a facade grant for those properties on September 15, 2026.
Plans and timelines can shift, so check City of Keller council agendas and minutes for the current status of any Old Town project.
Keller Town Center: The Civic and Commercial Hub
Keller Town Center was developed later, and it was planned as a different kind of place: more of a civic and commercial destination than a historic main street.
Its anchor is Keller Town Hall at 1100 Bear Creek Parkway, where City Council meets and most city departments are based.
See Kallie at Keller Town Center at 0:17
What you'll find at Town Center
- Keller Town Hall and city offices
- Restaurants and retail
- Office space
- Walking trails
- Landscaped ponds and green space around the civic buildings
The layout is newer, the parking is more plentiful, and the setting is more open. It's a common spot for a walk around the ponds, a lunch meeting, or a stop at Town Hall.
Curious what's on the market near Old Town or Keller Town Center right now? Search current homes for sale in Keller and map them against both areas, updated daily.
Old Town vs. Town Center, Side by Side
Old Town has the historic charm and small-town character. Town Center was developed as a civic and commercial district. Here's how they compare on the facts:
- Origins: Old Town is the 1881 railroad town site. Town Center is a newer, planned district.
- Location: Old Town sits along Main Street (U.S. 377) and the original street grid. Town Center sits along Bear Creek Parkway.
- Buildings: Old Town mixes historic structures with infill and redevelopment. Town Center is newer construction built around civic buildings.
- Businesses: Old Town leans toward independent shops and restaurants. Town Center mixes restaurants, retail, and offices.
- Outdoor space: Old Town has Bates Street Park and event space. Town Center has walking trails and ponds.
- What's changing: Old Town has active redevelopment and road work right now. Town Center is more established.
Hear Kallie compare the two at 0:28
How to Compare Them If You're Buying in Keller
When buyers ask me about Keller, they're usually not asking about one house. They're asking what's around it.
Being near Old Town or near Town Center can mean very different day-to-day routines, so here's how I help clients compare homes near either one:
- Drive it at the times you'll actually drive it. Check the route to work, errands, and activities at rush hour and on a Saturday. Road construction near Old Town can change drive times for now.
- Walk the area. Visit the shops, restaurants, trails, and parks you'd use. A ten-minute walk tells you more than any listing description.
- Check what's planned nearby. City of Keller council and planning agendas show proposed projects, zoning cases, and road work before they break ground.
- Confirm school zoning by address. Most of Keller is served by Keller ISD, but attendance zones are set by address. Use the district's own boundary tools, and see the Texas Education Agency for ratings.
- Compare HOA facts. Some homes near either area are in HOAs and some aren't. Get dues, rules, and amenities in writing.
- Look at lot size and home age. Homes near the original town site and homes near the newer civic district can differ in lot size, age, and style.
None of that tells you which one is "better." That depends on what you want close by, and that's your call.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is downtown Keller, Texas?
It depends who you ask. Old Town Keller, the historic downtown, is along Main Street (U.S. 377) on the city's original 1881 street grid. Keller Town Center, the civic and commercial district, is along Bear Creek Parkway around Keller Town Hall.
Is Keller Town Hall in Old Town Keller?
No. Keller Town Hall is at 1100 Bear Creek Parkway in Keller Town Center.
How did Keller get its name?
The town site set aside in 1881 was first called Athol. Within about a year it was renamed Keller, after John C. Keller, a foreman on the Texas and Pacific Railway.
What's being built in Old Town Keller?
As of November 2026, projects include the Keller Depot redevelopment on Bates Street, along with ongoing road work in the area. Check City of Keller agendas for the latest on any project.
Team Old Town or Team Town Center?
Same city. Two completely different settings.
So the next time someone says "meet me downtown," ask them which one.
Watch Kallie's "which one?" moment at 0:35
Now I want to know: which would you rather live near? Tell me in the comments on the video. Pick your team at 0:43
If you're thinking about buying in Keller and want to see homes near one area or the other, I'll help you compare drive times, school zoning by address, HOA facts, and what's planned nearby before you ever book a showing. Start your Keller home search here, and send me the listings that catch your eye.
Sources: Keller history and street names from Wikipedia, "Keller, Texas"; Keller Depot details from Community Impact reporting, October 2026. Details may change. Check the City of Keller for the latest.
About Kallie Spencer
Kallie Spencer is the Broker/Owner of Ritchey Realty and has spent 16 years helping North Texas buyers and sellers make high-stakes moves in the $700K–$3M+ range. She specializes in move-up, downsizing, luxury, and relocation transactions across Southlake, Westlake, Colleyville, Keller, and the Alliance corridor, with pricing and marketing strategy built on local market data. A certified real estate business coach through Tom Ferry International and credentialed by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), Kallie also trains other agents on the same systems she uses for her own clients. Connect with her at ritcheyrealty.com or (682) 788-9060.
