Hotel News

City of McKinney approves funding for new Marriott luxury hotel

Rendering of JW Marriott in McKinney

City of McKinney

The McKinney City Council has approved incentives for the development of a JW Marriott resort hotel at Craig Ranch, a master-planned community, where it’s slated to go up at the northeast corner of Collin McKinney Parkway and Van Tuyl Parkway.

Construction on the eight-acre project is set to begin December 2026.

The city of McKinney is giving an economic development grant to Craig Ranch Luxury Hotel SPE Owner LP for the project. Under the agreement, the developer will construct and operate a luxury JW Marriott resort hotel featuring 290 guest rooms, more than 51,000 square feet of high-end hotel conference space, and resort-style amenities.

These amenities include a pool with a lazy river, a full-service fitness center, a three-meal restaurant and specialty restaurant, a lounge with a terrace and poolside service, pickleball courts, structured and valet parking, and other conveniences such as a business center and a retail gift shop.

Visitors to the hotel will also have access to the TPC Craig Ranch golf course and Life Time Fitness and Spa.

The project will also include at least 45 for-sale condos, served by a dedicated amenity deck. Funding for the hotel and condos will come from grants and a loan including a $25 million grant and $10.25 million loan from the City of McKinney and a $2 million grant from the McKinney Economic Development Corporation, according to city council documents.

According to the Mayor of McKinney, the project reflects the city’s commitment to planned growth and economic development.

"With the airport's upcoming expansion into commercial service, our extended partnership with The CJ CUP Byron Nelson tournament, and major entertainment attractions like the VENU Sunset Amphitheater and Cannon Beach: Surf and Adventure Park, McKinney is quickly becoming a regional and national destination,” says McKinney Mayor George Fuller in a statement. “A luxury resort like JW Marriott is not just welcome, it's needed."

This development supports the city's continued efforts to promote tourism and attract premier hospitality experiences, and this upcoming $1.3 billion mixed use development is yet another example of how serious the city is about drawing in a new crowd.

The hotel is expected to be completed by April 2029.

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STILL STANDING

Quirky Stonehenge replica in Texas survived the devastating floods

Stonehenge II/ Facebook

Stonehenge II is undamaged after the Independence Day catastrophe.

One of the weirdest art installations in Texas' Hill Country has weathered the crushing Texas floods: Stonehenge II, an almost-to-scale replica of the ancient English landmark, was undamaged by recent flooding, according to Hill Country Arts Foundation, the 65-year-old arts nonprofit responsible for its upkeep.

Although the monument itself was unscathed, several adjacent facilities were damaged, including its black box theater, outdoor theater, offices, tech shop, and ceramics studio. The center will be shuttered until further notice.

“The recent flood did a lot of damage to the property, though Stonehenge II was undamaged,” wrote an HCAF rep. “The property is closed at this time.”

Actor and rancher Al Sheppard erected the curiosity in 1989 with help from neighbor Doug Hill. As the story goes, Hill gifted Sheppard a limestone slab left over from a patio project. Hill stood it in the middle of his pasture.

“Sheppard and Hill liked the look of the monolith and built an arch around it,” explains signage at the property. “The 13-foot arch reminded them of Stonehenge in England. Soon, a vision formed, and Sheppard contracted Hill to build their very own Stonehenge II.”

The remainder of the stones were made from steel, metal lathe, and plaster, anchored in cement. The full circle is 90 percent as wide as the original and 60 percent as tall.

A few years later, Sheppard visited Rapa Nui, or Easter Island. Two maoi statues were added to the original Hunt, Texas site. After Sheppard’s passing, his family donated the sculptures to HCAF, which moved the massive installation to Ingram in 2012.

Although travel website Far & Wide dubbed it “the most boring tourist trap” in Texas, it has remained a symbol of local pride. HCAF even hosts weddings on the property.

The sense of humor about the sculpture remains in place, even as HCAF’s facilities were ravaged by the violent weather. The foundation acts as a hub of artistic education, theatrical performances, and exhibitions throughout the year.

Arts patrons can help HCAF repair its grounds via its online portal. The nonprofit also recommends donating to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund through the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country.

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