$800M Dallas Mixed-Use Project Clears Preston Hollow Vote

A proposed $800 million mixed-use development at Preston Road and Royal Lane in Dallas has cleared a key zoning milestone, bringing a controversial tower project closer to construction. The plan from Leland Burk and Greenway Investment Co. would transform a prominent Preston Hollow site with residential, hotel, office, retail, and public space, in accordance with The Dallas Morning News. The approval also highlights the ongoing debate over how Dallas balances growth, housing demand, and neighborhood character.

A zoning win for Preston Hollow towers

A proposed $800 million Dallas mixed-use development at Preston Road and Royal Lane cleared a key approval hurdle. Dallas’ Planning Commission backed a zoning change that allows taller buildings at the site. Developer Leland Burk and partner Gerald Stool’s Greenway Investment Co. will now take the proposal to Dallas City Council.

The project has become one of Dallas’ biggest zoning debates. Supporters point to new housing, tax revenue, and redevelopment potential. Opponents argue the scale does not fit the surrounding neighborhood.

A contested path to higher density

Developers revised the Preston Hollow towers project several times to address resident concerns. The latest plan reduces the scope but still seeks approval for much greater height than current zoning allows.

Current rules limit buildings at the site to 54 feet. The proposed zoning change would allow a 240-foot hotel-condo tower and a 210-foot apartment tower. The increase would create significantly more density at the intersection.

The Planning Commission approved the request 10-4. Several commissioners supported the project’s benefits but raised concerns about the proposed height.

The details: Residential, hotel, office and retail mix

The development would include fewer than 50 condominiums, up to 150 hotel rooms, about 175 apartments, a 12-story office building, restaurants, and retail space. Plans also include a public half-acre green space and at least 200 new trees.

The revised design adds more separation from nearby properties. Developers plan a 50-foot setback along the southern edge. The first 50 feet of the project would keep the current 54-foot height limit before the towers rise.

A 2019 tornado heavily damaged the site. The redevelopment plan aims to transform the underused property into a mixed-use destination.

Dallas density debate moves beyond downtown

The project reflects Dallas’ broader push for more density along major corridors. The city wants to concentrate growth in strategic areas instead of adding pressure to existing neighborhoods.

Supporters pointed to the ForwardDallas initiative, which encourages higher-density development in key locations. Commissioner Melissa Kingston said the project adds housing without replacing nearby single-family homes.

Opponents, led by Preserve Preston Hollow, continue to challenge the plan. Of 283 notified property owners, 261 opposed the project and eight supported it, according to city documents. A neighborhood petition against the rezoning has collected more than 4,500 signatures.

Why it matters

The Preston Hollow project highlights the challenge facing fast-growing markets like Dallas. Cities must balance demand for new housing and commercial space with neighborhood concerns.

For developers, the vote shows that large mixed-use projects can gain momentum in established areas when they support broader growth goals. For residents, it raises questions about how much density belongs in traditionally low-rise communities.

The debate also reflects a larger CRE trend. Limited land availability is pushing developers toward taller mixed-use projects in high-value locations.

What’s next

The proposal now moves to Dallas City Council for final review. The council has not announced a vote date.

Burk said the development team remains committed to the project. The final decision will test Dallas’ appetite for higher-density projects in established neighborhoods.