Development news

Massive development coming to Frisco with townhomes, park, and Dream Hotel

Firefly Park is a 242-acre mixed-use development

Rendering courtesy of Wilks Development

A new mixed-use development with offices, residential units, and a location of the boutique luxury Dream Hotel is underway in Frisco.

Called Firefly Park, the project will be a collaboration between real estate company Wilks Development and the Frisco Economic Development Corporation, built at the intersection of US 380 and the Dallas North Tollway along PGA Parkway, comprising 242 acres total, with 159 acres owned by Wilks and 59 acres owned by Frisco EDC.

According to a release, the development will break ground this spring and will include office space, retail, dining, and entertainment, plus 230 townhomes, 1,970 residential units, and 1,200 rooms at the Dream Hotel, a Chicago-based group subsidiary of Hyatt with locations in Nashville, New York, Miami, and Qatar.

The centerpiece will be a 45-acre park and open space featuring a "chain of lakes," with an illuminated and immersive outdoor art walk, miles of hike and bike trails, fountain views, and family-friendly playgrounds. Other amenities include a wedding chapel, event lawn, and amphitheater.

The initial phase will involve the construction of public infrastructure, including streets and roads, medians, driveways, turn lanes, fire lanes, water lines, wastewater mains, drainage, electric utilities, gas utilities, and telecom/fiber networks, to be executed by Frisco EDC and Frisco North Development LLC, a subsidiary of Wilks Development.

Mahard Parkway will eventually be built out to a divided four-lane boulevard that connects PGA Parkway to US 380. A new bridge for pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles will be constructed across a lake and open space along Shearwater Boulevard.

The first phase of the development agreement requires the construction of the Dream Hotel, office space, dining and shopping venues, and the park.

The project has been in the works since 2022. Wilks Development originally purchased the land in 2015, a fortuitous acquisition preceding the PGA of America relocation to Frisco. The Omni PGA Frisco Resort and courses opened in May 2023. Frisco EDC President Jason Ford calls it the "PGA halo effect", accelerating development in north Frisco.

frisco hotels openings

Coworking News

Dallas' Longhorn Ballroom unveils new renovated coworking studio space

Longhorn Ballroom

Dallas' famed Longhorn Ballroom music venue has unveiled a newly renovated multi-use building — located across the courtyard from the Ballroom at 200 Corinth St. — that's open for creative types in the fields of entertainment, restaurant, and the arts.

The Longhorn Ballroom was built in 1950 for country music legend Bob Wills and this Texas Playboys and was originally named Bob Wills’ Ranch House. It was managed for a time by Jack Ruby, then Dewey Groom who renamed it the Longhorn Ballroom and built it into one of the greatest venues of its day, hosting Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, Charley Pride, Pasty Cline, B.B. King, Ray Charles, Nat King Cole, James Brown, Al Green, Johnny Rodriguez, Freddy Fender and Selena.

This newly renovated building was originally constructed in 1950 as part of the Ranch House, where it served as a motel for touring musicians and according to a release, is rumored to have sheltered Wills' horse "Punkin."

You could office here. Longhorn Ballroom coworking space.Longhorn Ballroom

The two-story 26,000-square-foot building offers co-working spaces for entertainment professionals, attorneys, and managers. There are five 1-2 person offices available, along with a limited number of residential live-work studios for artists. There are also several small restaurant spaces available for "culinary creatives."

The largest available area — a former recording studio — could be transformed into a space for audio, film, or post-production work.

There is also a common area and kitchen, plus plentiful parking. Internet and utilities are included. Rates depend on space rented.

"As an entertainment attorney, there’s no better place for my practice than the Oficina co-work space at the Longhorn," says Decker Sachse, a current tenant. "It’s a great location with easy access and my clients love the vibe."

In the fall, the Longhorn will complete its third and final phase with the opening of a 6,500-capacity outdoor amphitheater along the banks of the original Trinity River. Called The Longhorn Backyard Amphitheater, it will host a series of soft opening shows this fall, starting with Randy Rogers on September 20. A grand opening with a full calendar of events will commence in the spring of 2026, providing the city with a state-of-the-art outdoor venue one mile south of downtown Dallas.

concerts openings