Big changes are coming to Preston Center, as the City Plan Commission has given a thumbs-up to Ramrock Real Estate's sweeping redevelopment proposal. This transformation is set to overhaul an entire Dallas block, revving up the retail, office, and residential spaces in the neighborhood. Adding new heights to the city's profile, Ramrock's project will see a 180-unit multifamily tower and a 265,000-square-foot office tower rising high, as The Dallas Express reports.
The Preston Center facelift doesn't stop at sleek high-rises; 40,000 square feet of retail space and green areas are also in the mix. At a City Plan Commission meeting, Ramrock president Robert Dozier outlined a vision of "265,000 square feet of office space, 180 units of multifamily, and 30,000 square feet of retail," a dream he shared with The Dallas Morning News back in 2022. Despite the ambitious scale, Ramrock believes the addition of mixed-income housing units justifies a new maximum height of 225 feet, towering over the current 85-foot limit.
City staff are looking even further ahead, pushing for a more significant slice of low-income housing within the development. They've recommended a diversified distribution, with 5% of the multifamily units reserved for those earning 51-60%, another 5% for 61-80%, and an additional 5% for 81-100% of the median family income, widening the project's socioeconomic reach.
Preston Center's growth spurt complements the recent trend of skyward expansions in Dallas, including a 128-unit high-rise by Lincoln Property Company, led by Saint Michaels and All Angels Episcopal Church's land. As for Ramrock's revamp, it's part of a wave of upscale residential projects shaking up the North Dallas scene. The City Plan Commission is poised to continue the dialogue on May 2, with the application currently on the table for approval, according to The Dallas Express.
For those looking to have their voices heard on these plans or any other city development, the City Plan Commission meetings offer a platform for public input. To participate remotely, Dallas residents can register to speak via the Commission's online portal or plan to show up in person at announced sessions, as detailed in the City of Dallas. The next meeting is scheduled to unfold on Thursday, November 16th, 2023.
