If you are looking for pet-friendly apartments near Smithfield Station with fireplaces, the key local fact is that Smithfield Station is a TEXRail stop in North Richland Hills, part of the rail line linking downtown Fort Worth with Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. For renters, that makes the question less about a generic “near transit” label and more about whether a specific apartment gives you the household features you want, plus a realistic path to daily rail use.
At 8500 Harwood in North Richland Hills, the community states that it is pet-friendly and has a bark park, and it also lists wood-burning fireplaces in select homes. That combination can matter if you want rail access in the area without giving up pet accommodations or the possibility of a fireplace, but you should confirm that the exact apartment you are considering includes the fireplace feature because it is not offered in every home.
What to know about Smithfield Station before you rent nearby
Smithfield Station is served by TEXRail, Trinity Metro’s commuter rail line. TEXRail connects stations in Tarrant County with Terminal B at DFW Airport, so the station is most useful for people who regularly travel toward downtown Fort Worth, airport jobs and flights, or other stops on the line. That is an important distinction, because “near a station” only helps if your routine actually lines up with where that line goes.
For many renters, the most important verification step is not the map pin but the full trip chain. Check where you will start your day, whether that is your apartment door, a parking area, or a pet walk, then compare that with how you plan to reach Smithfield Station. A route that looks easy on a map can feel very different if you are leaving early, carrying work gear, returning after dark, or managing a dog’s schedule before and after commuting.
TEXRail can be especially appealing if you want an alternative to driving all the way to the airport or into Fort Worth, but rail use still depends on schedule fit. Before choosing any apartment for transit reasons, review the current TEXRail station information, first and last train times, parking details if relevant, and any weekend or holiday service notes directly with Trinity Metro. That will tell you more than a simple “near station” description ever could.
It is also worth checking whether your real destination is on TEXRail itself or requires a transfer. Some renters search for housing near a station assuming any rail stop gives equally simple regional access. In practice, a one-seat ride to the airport is a very different experience from a trip that needs additional bus service, a pickup, or a second rail connection. That difference should shape how much value you place on living near Smithfield Station.
How pets and fireplaces change the apartment search
When pets are part of the household, transit-oriented apartment hunting becomes more specific. You are not just comparing commute options, you are also weighing how easy it is to manage walks, outdoor breaks, and daily routines before boarding a train. At 8500 Harwood, the property lists a pet-friendly community and an on-site bark park, which can make everyday pet care easier than relying entirely on off-site green space.
A fireplace is a different kind of decision factor, but for many renters it is not cosmetic. A wood-burning fireplace can affect how you use your living room, how the home feels in cooler weather, and whether the apartment offers the character you want when you are spending evenings at home instead of out commuting. At 8500 Harwood, fireplaces are listed as available in select homes, so you should ask the leasing team which specific apartments include them and what the operating rules are for use and maintenance.
Pet owners should also verify the details that matter day to day, not just whether pets are generally accepted. Ask about current pet policies, any breed or weight restrictions, fees, and the number of pets allowed, because those details can materially change whether a community works for your household. If a fireplace is high on your priority list, ask that question at the same time so you know whether the pet-friendly home you like is also one of the homes with that feature.
There is a real trade-off here: the more specific your must-have list becomes, rail access, pet accommodations, fireplace, preferred layout, and perhaps parking, the more important unit-by-unit confirmation becomes. A renter can easily assume that every home in a community shares the same interior features, but that is not always true. At this property, the pet-friendly aspect is community-wide, while the fireplace is specifically noted only for select homes.
How to evaluate 8500 Harwood for this decision
8500 Harwood is at 8500 North Harwood Road in North Richland Hills, which places it in the same city as Smithfield Station. That makes it reasonable to include in a Smithfield-area apartment search, but a careful renter should still verify the exact route they would actually use, whether by car, rideshare, bike, or a walk-plus-rail pattern. The best way to do that is to map the trip at the times you expect to travel, rather than relying on a broad neighborhood label.
If your interest in the station is tied to a regular commute, parking may matter as much as the rail line itself. 8500 Harwood lists covered parking, which can be relevant if your transit routine begins with a short drive to a station or if you alternate between rail days and driving days. Ask how resident parking works for the specific building area you are considering, because ease of getting out the door can influence whether you actually use transit consistently.
Household setup matters too. This property offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom layouts, including one-bedroom floor plans and larger two- and three-bedroom options, which may be useful if one person rides TEXRail while another drives elsewhere or if you need extra room for a home office, family members, or pet gear. Current pricing, move-in timing, and exact availability can change, so those details should come directly from the leasing team rather than from any general article.
If this is your shortlist, the most useful next step is simple: ask 8500 Harwood which currently available homes allow pets and include a wood-burning fireplace, then compare those specific units with your actual trip to Smithfield Station using current TEXRail information. That gives you a real answer based on your routine, not just a marketing phrase.