Retail construction Dallas activity is accelerating as mixed-use developments reshape the commercial landscape across the metroplex. Projects combining retail spaces with residential units and office buildings have become the new standard, replacing the isolated big-box formats that once dominated suburban corridors.
Pre-leasing activity runs strong throughout the DFW retail market, with developers securing tenant commitments before project delivery. This approach helps control vacancy rates while ensuring construction teams can customize spaces for specific retailers from the start. The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center realignment and emerging districts like the Dallas International District may unlock additional retail development sites as these major civic projects progress through completion.
Which Mixed-Use Retail Projects Are Shaping Dallas Right Now?
Several transformative projects demonstrate how modern retail construction integrates within comprehensive urban planning. These developments require careful coordination of phasing and sequencing to manage multiple building types while maintaining operational continuity.
Collin Creek Mall Redevelopment
The Collin Creek Mall redevelopment in Plano transforms a former shopping center into a billion-dollar mixed-use community. The project includes 300,000 square feet of retail space alongside 500 single-family homes and 2,300 multifamily units. A 2,000-space parking garage supports the retail component, with 20 percent dedicated to restaurants.
We coordinate construction staging to allow residential phases to progress while retail build-outs continue. The walkable design requires integrated utility planning and careful grading to connect retail areas with residential components. The project’s scale demands flexible structural systems that accommodate varying tenant improvement needs over time.
Legacy West Integration
Legacy West spans 255 acres and includes 415,000 square feet of retail within a comprehensive mixed-use destination. The development features over 1,200 residential units, a 303-room Renaissance Hotel, and the three-story Legacy Hall food hall. This food hall requires specialized ventilation systems to handle multiple food vendors operating simultaneously.
We design HVAC systems that manage grease extraction, odor control, and temperature regulation across diverse restaurant operations. The retail components integrate directly with residential towers and office buildings, requiring coordinated structural systems and shared utility infrastructure. Phased construction allows retail tenants to begin operations while other project components reach completion.
Dallas International District Planning
The Dallas International District targets the former Valley View Mall area with retail integrated into a broader live-work development. Plans include retail space combined with residential and office components across multiple buildings. The project requires flexible structural systems that allow for future tenant layout modifications without compromising the overall building integrity.
We implement structural approaches that provide clear spans and movable partition capabilities for retail spaces. This flexibility supports changing tenant requirements and market conditions over the development’s lifecycle. Urban redevelopment projects like this often present unique engineering challenges related to existing infrastructure and site constraints.
Hi Line Square Design District Development
Hi Line Square brings 45,000 square feet of high-end retail and showroom space to the Dallas Design District at 1650 Oak Lawn Avenue. The retail component occupies the ground and second floors beneath a 17-story office tower and 30-story residential tower. Construction planning addresses site logistics challenges while protecting existing mature trees.
We coordinate material deliveries and staging areas to minimize disruption to the Design District’s ongoing operations. Tree protection requires specialized foundation design and construction sequencing to preserve root systems during excavation. The retail spaces open directly onto pedestrian plazas, requiring careful coordination between landscape elements and building systems.
What Future Retail Construction Will Impact Dallas Submarkets?
The pipeline of major developments across Dallas will reshape retail construction opportunities throughout the metroplex. These projects represent billions in investment and create new retail districts where none existed before. We coordinate construction phases to align with broader development timelines and market absorption rates.
The Reunion Redevelopment stands as downtown Dallas’s most ambitious retail construction opportunity. Hunt Realty’s $5 billion plan transforms 20 acres near Reunion Tower into a walkable district with 150,000 square feet of retail space. The development includes 3,000 apartments, a 1,000-room hotel, and 2 million square feet of office space surrounding a 4-acre park. Construction coordination becomes critical as this project aligns with the Dallas Convention Center realignment, creating synergies between major civic infrastructure and private development.
The Dallas Convention Center realignment fundamentally changes downtown’s retail landscape. The $3.7 billion project replaces the current Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center with a 2.5 million-square-foot facility, creating a deck park over I-30 that reconnects southern Dallas neighborhoods with downtown. This realignment opens 30 acres of underutilized land for private retail development, presenting construction opportunities that didn’t exist under the previous convention center footprint.
Major Suburban Retail Developments Taking Shape
The Mix in Frisco represents the North Platinum Corridor’s largest retail construction project. This $3 billion, 112-acre development plans 375,000 square feet of retail space integrated with 2 million square feet of office space, two hotels, and 630 residential units. Phase 1 construction includes approximately 100,000 square feet of retail space alongside a medical office building and apartments, establishing the foundation for future phases. We approach phased construction by coordinating utilities, access roads, and parking to serve early retail tenants while maintaining flexibility for subsequent development phases.
Sloan Corners spans 500 acres across Allen and Fairview, creating one of the region’s most significant retail construction opportunities. The master plan includes more than 200,000 square feet of retail space within a mixed-use development valued at over $3 billion. Construction began on the Allen side with multifamily buildings, while the Fairview portion prepares for retail and office components. The scale requires careful sequencing of infrastructure work, from major utilities to traffic management systems that support both construction activity and future retail operations.
River Central along the Trinity River presents unique floodplain coordination challenges for retail construction. This 400-acre mixed-use project includes 60,000 square feet of retail space alongside 8,000 housing units, a hotel, office space, and a live music venue. The project reclaims 140 acres of suitable flood plain, requiring collaboration with the Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA. Construction teams must navigate specialized foundation systems and flood-resistant building techniques while maintaining the walkable, entertainment-focused design that drives retail success.
Infrastructure Connections Drive Retail Site Selection
These developments benefit from strategic connections to regional transportation infrastructure. River Central’s location near the CentrePort TRE station, approximately five miles from DFW Airport, positions retail tenants within a major transportation corridor. The Mix leverages Frisco’s established commercial infrastructure while expanding retail density in a proven market. Sloan Corners capitalizes on major intersection visibility and regional highway access that supports large-format retail construction.
Each project requires specialized construction approaches based on site conditions and market positioning. Downtown projects like Reunion integrate with existing urban infrastructure while managing pedestrian traffic and limited staging areas. Suburban developments start with extensive sitework and utility installation but offer more flexibility for construction sequencing and material staging. We coordinate with local municipalities to ensure construction timelines align with infrastructure improvements and traffic management plans that support retail operations from day one.
How Do Suburban Retail Build-Outs Differ From Urban Infill In DFW?
Suburban retail construction starts with clear land and extensive groundwork. We handle heavy sitework that includes grading raw terrain to proper elevations and installing complete utility infrastructure from scratch. These projects demand coordination with multiple utility providers to bring water, sewer, electric, and telecommunications to previously undeveloped sites.
The construction sequence allows for phased openings that maximize revenue potential. We coordinate schedules so anchor tenants can begin operations while we complete smaller retail pads nearby. This approach helps developers start generating lease income early while maintaining efficient construction flow across the entire development.
Suburban Site Development And Layout Planning
Suburban projects offer flexibility in storefront design that urban sites cannot match. We build shell spaces ranging from large anchor stores to boutique retailers, with adaptable configurations that accommodate future tenant needs. Road visibility becomes a critical design factor since suburban customers typically arrive by car and need clear sightlines to retail entrances.
Pedestrian circulation requires deliberate planning in suburban settings. We design safe walkways that connect parking areas to storefronts while managing vehicle traffic patterns. The scale of suburban developments allows us to integrate landscaped pathways and gathering areas that enhance the shopping experience.
Stormwater management systems serve dual purposes in suburban retail construction. We design detention ponds and bioswales that meet regulatory requirements while creating attractive water features for the development. These systems handle runoff from large parking areas while contributing to the overall aesthetic appeal of the retail center.
Urban Infill Construction Challenges
Urban infill projects operate within much tighter constraints. We develop detailed traffic management plans that maintain street access while accommodating construction activities. Limited staging areas require precise material delivery scheduling to avoid disrupting neighboring businesses and residential areas.
Tree protection becomes a major consideration in urban retail construction. We implement protection barriers around existing mature trees and modify construction methods to preserve root systems. These measures often influence foundation design and require specialized equipment for work in confined spaces.
Material deliveries follow restricted windows in urban environments. We coordinate with city traffic departments to schedule concrete pours, steel deliveries, and other major material movements during off-peak hours. This planning prevents construction activities from blocking critical urban thoroughfares during rush periods.
Preconstruction Planning For Both Settings
Early preconstruction planning proves essential regardless of location. We evaluate site access routes, utility availability, and permitting timelines during initial project phases. This analysis helps establish realistic construction schedules and identifies potential coordination challenges before they impact project delivery.
Phasing strategies differ significantly between suburban and urban projects. Suburban developments can often accommodate multiple construction phases simultaneously across different site areas. Urban projects typically require sequential phasing that minimizes disruption to existing businesses while maintaining safe pedestrian and vehicle access throughout construction.
What Dallas Zoning Basics Affect Community Retail Projects?
Dallas Community Retail (CR) zoning establishes specific development standards that guide how we approach retail construction projects. These regulations create a framework for community-serving retail, personal service, and office uses that integrate well with residential neighborhoods.
The front yard setback requirement is straightforward: projects need a minimum 15-foot front yard. This buffer provides visual separation from the street while allowing adequate space for landscaping and building access.
Side and rear yard requirements depend on adjacent zoning. When a CR property sits next to or directly across an alley from residential areas like R(A), D(A), TH(A), CH, or MF(A) districts, we must maintain 20-foot side and rear yards. In all other cases, no minimum side or rear yard setback applies, giving projects more flexibility in their site planning.
Height limits cap structures at 54 feet maximum. However, any portion of a building over 26 feet in height cannot penetrate the Residential Proximity Slope. This slope provision protects nearby residential areas from visual intrusion and maintains neighborhood compatibility.
Floor area ratio controls building density differently for various uses. Office uses are limited to a 0.5 FAR, while all uses combined cannot exceed 0.75 FAR. These ratios ensure development intensity matches the community retail purpose of the district.
Lot coverage allows up to 60 percent of the site to be covered by structures. Importantly, aboveground parking structures count toward this coverage calculation, while surface parking lots and underground parking structures do not. This distinction affects how we plan parking solutions for retail projects.
Story limitations permit up to four stories above grade. Parking garages are exempt from this story limit but must still comply with the 54-foot height restriction.
Development Impact Review may trigger for projects generating high traffic volumes. Specifically, a site plan must be submitted if estimated trip generation equals or exceeds 6,000 trips per day and 500 trips per acre per day. This review process helps the city assess traffic impacts before construction begins.
Landscape requirements follow Article X of the Dallas Development Code, which establishes specific standards for tree preservation, new plantings, and site screening. Off-street parking and loading requirements are determined by individual use regulations rather than blanket district standards.
We always remind clients that setbacks may vary due to exceptions in the Dallas Development Code, including platted building lines and more restrictive requirements within the same block. Early code review during preconstruction planning helps identify these potential variations before they impact project schedules.
Conclusion: Dallas Retail Construction Is Moving Toward Integrated, Phased, And Flexible Delivery
The Dallas retail landscape reflects a clear evolution toward strategic integration and adaptive construction practices. We see retail projects increasingly embedded within comprehensive mixed-use developments that combine residential, office, and entertainment components into cohesive districts. This shift represents more than design preference—it creates sustainable retail environments that benefit from diverse foot traffic patterns throughout different times of day and seasons.
Major civic initiatives like the convention center realignment demonstrate how public infrastructure investments can catalyze private retail development opportunities. We coordinate our project timelines with these broader municipal efforts, understanding that strategic phasing allows retail spaces to open while complementary infrastructure continues development. Early engagement with zoning requirements, traffic impact studies, and site logistics proves essential for projects that must integrate with existing neighborhoods while accommodating future growth.
Ready to discuss how we approach retail construction coordination within Dallas’s evolving mixed-use environment? Contact EB3 Construction to explore phased delivery strategies for your retail project.
