Mavericks Pick Valley View Site for New Arena District

The Dallas Mavericks have chosen the former Valley View Center site as the preferred location for a new arena and mixed-use development, according to Bisnow.

The team announced plans to acquire roughly 104 acres along Interstate 635 in North Dallas, positioning the property as the future home of a large-scale entertainment district before the franchise’s lease at American Airlines Center expires in 2031.

The decision narrows a yearslong search for the team’s next home and gives new momentum to one of Dallas’ most anticipated redevelopment sites. Most of the former mall was demolished in 2019, leaving a highly visible property that developers and city officials have spent years trying to reposition as a major mixed-use destination.

A Long-Awaited Redevelopment

Valley View has been one of Dallas’ most prominent redevelopment opportunities for more than a decade. Once a regional shopping destination, the aging mall struggled as consumer preferences shifted away from traditional enclosed retail centers. Demolition efforts began years ago, but the site’s future remained uncertain despite multiple redevelopment proposals.

The property’s scale and location have long made it attractive for large-format development. Situated along Interstate 635 and near several affluent North Dallas neighborhoods, the site offers the connectivity and visibility needed for a destination project. Beck Ventures, which controls most of the land, spent years working with the city and local stakeholders to establish a framework for redevelopment, creating conditions that could accommodate an arena without major zoning changes.

The Details

The Mavericks plan to purchase approximately 104 acres at the Valley View property and develop a mixed-use district centered around a new basketball arena. Team officials said the site best met the criteria established during the evaluation process and aligned with the organization’s goal of remaining within Dallas city limits.

Beyond the arena, plans call for a broader entertainment-oriented district featuring restaurants, public gathering spaces, family-focused attractions, and other commercial uses. The announcement builds on momentum already underway at the site. In November, Anthem Development broke ground on Premier at Dallas Midtown, a 4-acre project that includes 296 luxury multifamily units and 13,500 SF of retail space. That development marked the first major vertical construction tied to the property’s larger redevelopment vision.

North Dallas Gains Momentum

The arena announcement reflects a broader trend of professional sports franchises using mixed-use development to unlock value beyond game-day revenue. Across the country, teams are increasingly pursuing entertainment districts that combine residential, retail, hospitality, and public space around stadium and arena assets.

For North Dallas, the project could accelerate investment in an area that has seen years of planning but relatively limited execution. The Valley View site occupies a strategic location within the city’s northern growth corridor, where population growth and household incomes continue to attract developers and retailers. A successful arena district could help create a new regional activity center while supporting additional housing, retail, and hospitality projects nearby.

Why It Matters

The announcement provides a catalyst for a property that has sat largely vacant since demolition efforts concluded. Large redevelopment sites often struggle to attract the type of anchor tenant needed to justify infrastructure investments and broader mixed-use plans. An NBA arena changes that equation by creating a destination capable of drawing visitors year-round.

The move could also have implications for downtown Dallas. City Hall had emerged as another potential arena location during the Mavericks’ search process. With Valley View now selected, pressure may ease on downtown redevelopment discussions tied to a new arena. That could allow city leaders to focus more directly on long-term decisions regarding the future of the existing City Hall complex, where a February report from the Dallas Economic Development Corp. estimated restoration costs could exceed $900M and potentially surpass $1.1B over two decades when operating expenses are included.

What’s Next

The proposed acquisition marks the beginning of what is likely to be a lengthy entitlement, planning, and construction process. The Mavericks have targeted a 2031 opening timeline, which aligns with the expiration of the team’s lease at American Airlines Center.

Developers, city officials, and neighborhood stakeholders will now shift attention toward project design, infrastructure planning, and development approvals.