- AT&T won preliminary approval for a 2.3M SF headquarters campus in Plano that will replace its longtime downtown Dallas base beginning in 2028.
- The $1.35B project includes office space, parking garages, a daycare center, a pedestrian bridge, and a 280-foot communications tower with AT&T branding.
- The move highlights how large employers are reshaping office footprints around suburban campuses designed to support full-time in-office work.
Bisnow reports that AT&T is moving ahead with plans for a massive new headquarters campus in Plano, deepening its long-term commitment to North Texas office space even as many corporations continue shrinking footprints nationwide. The telecom giant’s proposed $1.35B campus will total 2.3M SF—more than double the size of its current 1M SF Whitacre Tower headquarters in downtown Dallas.
The Plano Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved four items tied to the development on May 4, according to The Dallas Morning News. The approvals move the project one step closer to final consideration by the Plano City Council.
Why Plano Won Out
AT&T announced the relocation in January, selecting a 54-acre site at 5400 Legacy Drive for its new global headquarters. CEO John Stankey said the company aims to begin occupying the campus in the second half of 2028.
The relocation aligns with AT&T’s broader workplace strategy after the company mandated a five-day in-office schedule for office employees at the start of 2025. Company officials previously said Plano would provide shorter commutes for a majority of workers compared to downtown Dallas.
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The Plano Headquarters Details
Plans submitted to the city show a sprawling mixed-use corporate campus featuring office buildings, structured parking, a daycare facility, pedestrian infrastructure, and a 280-foot communications tower. The tower, which will carry AT&T branding, requires both zoning approval and FAA review because of its height and enclosed antenna system.
Commission member Ben Alali compared the structure to a smaller version of Dallas’ Reunion Tower, according to The Dallas Morning News. AT&T said the tower will provide “world-class cell coverage” for both the campus and surrounding area.
The company also requested updates to site boundaries to incorporate portions of adjacent parcels into the development. Plano officials approved economic incentive agreements tied to the project in February, including $20M in incentives and a 65% property tax rebate over 25 years for site improvements.
A Suburban Office Magnet
AT&T’s move adds to a growing list of major corporations expanding in Plano and the broader Dallas-Fort Worth suburban office market. Legacy West and nearby mixed-use districts have attracted companies including Toyota North America, JPMorgan Chase, and Liberty Mutual over the last decade. The relocation is also expected to accelerate demand for nearby housing, retail, and mixed-use development as Plano continues cementing itself as one of North Texas’ top corporate hubs.
While many gateway-city office markets continue grappling with elevated vacancy, North Texas has remained comparatively resilient. According to CBRE’s Q1 2026 Dallas-Fort Worth office report, suburban submarkets in the region continue outperforming several urban districts in leasing activity tied to corporate relocations and large occupiers.
AT&T’s commitment also stands out because it expands—not reduces—office square footage at a time when many Fortune 500 firms are consolidating space.
Why It Matters
The project reinforces how workplace mandates are reshaping office demand. Companies pushing employees back on-site are increasingly prioritizing large-scale campuses with amenities, easier suburban commutes, and integrated infrastructure over traditional downtown towers.
The move also represents another high-profile shift away from Dallas’ urban core. AT&T’s lease at Whitacre Tower reportedly runs through 2031, meaning the company could maintain a significant downtown presence during a multiyear transition period.
For Plano, the development strengthens the city’s position as one of the country’s leading corporate relocation hubs. The long-term tax incentives signal how aggressively suburban municipalities continue competing for major headquarters projects and high-income employment bases.
What’s Next
The project now heads to the Plano City Council for final approvals. If approved, construction activity is expected to ramp up ahead of AT&T’s targeted 2028 occupancy date.
Industry watchers will also be monitoring what happens to Whitacre Tower and AT&T’s downtown Dallas footprint as the transition unfolds. The relocation could create one of the largest future office availability blocks in Dallas’ central business district unless portions are backfilled or repurposed.
