⚡ Quick Overview: What You Need to Know

• Dallas Mavericks: Locked up an option on ~104 acres at the old Valley View Mall site in Far North Dallas (inside the City of Dallas) at Preston Rd & I-635. Plan: New arena and a 365-day entertainment district.
• Dallas Stars: Signed an agreement with the city of Plano, TX to build an arena district over at The Shops at Willow Bend along the Dallas North Tollway.
• The Timeline: Both moves are tied to the 2031 lease expiration at the AAC. Nothing happens overnight, but the real estate positioning starts now.

Why Leave the American Airlines Center?

The American Airlines Center is only about 25 years old, so why leave?

It boils down to control and land. Modern sports owners aren't just looking for a building to host 41 home games a year; they want a mixed-use entertainment ecosystem. They want hotels, upscale dining, residential living, and shopping center revenue coming in 365 days a year.

Downtown Dallas simply can't hand either team dozens of open acres to build a custom city district from scratch. But suburban corridors and redevelopment-ready mall parking lots in North Dallas can.

1. The Mavs Plan: Preston Road & I-635 (Valley View Site)

The Mavericks chose a site right at Preston Rd and I-635 (LBJ Freeway) near the Galleria Dallas. The former Valley View Mall came down in 2023, leaving a massive 100+ acre blank canvas in Far North Dallas.

Ground already broke nearby in late 2025 for a luxury development under the broader Dallas Midtown master plan.

• The Market Snapshot: Far North Dallas is an established, high-demand market with home prices hovering in the mid-to-upper $600s.
• The Takeaway for Buyers: Dropping a sports and entertainment hub into Far North Dallas adds city-style amenities closer to suburban neighborhood space. If you're looking to buy here, target homes that are a 5–10 minute drive away to get the benefit of the amenities without being stuck in the immediate arena traffic.

2. The Stars Plan: Shops at Willow Bend in Plano

Drive a few miles north up the Dallas North Tollway into Plano, and you’ll hit the proposed home of the Stars.

The Shops at Willow Bend site was already approved for a mixed-use project called The Bend (incorporating retail, dining, green space, and housing). Adding a Stars arena supercharges that blueprint into a year-round regional destination—much like what Legacy West did for West Plano a few miles up the road.

• The Market Snapshot: Plano is currently in a softer real estate stretch, with home prices sitting in the low-to-mid $500s.
• The Takeaway for Buyers: Softer current prices combined with major long-term infrastructure investment make this a prime "get in early" setup for strategic buyers.
• Funding Note: Plano’s proposal relies on a special venue tax election (covering hotel stays, event parking, and tickets)—not property taxes.

What Happens to Victory Park & Downtown Dallas?

When the AAC opened in 2001, it anchored the growth of Victory Park. With both anchor teams exiting around 2031, discussions at Dallas City Hall are ongoing regarding whether to repurpose the arena or tear it down. While the lights won't go dark tomorrow, downtown investors should keep a close eye on city council plans for the space.

Key Takeaways for DFW Homeowners & Buyers

• Far North Dallas (Mavs / Dallas Midtown): Home prices currently sit in the mid-to-upper $600s in this established market. The real estate play here is high-demand stability combined with brand-new, city-style entertainment amenities right in your suburban backyard.
• Plano / Willow Bend (Stars / DNT Corridor): Home prices are in a softer stretch right now, averaging in the low-to-mid $500s. This presents a prime "get in early" opportunity to secure property before major sports infrastructure drives appreciation closer to 2030.
• Follow the Capital: When two major sports franchises quietly pick their next landing spots, they are signaling where North Texas population growth, infrastructure dollars, and overall market energy are headed next.

Conclusion & Next Steps

When two professional teams decide to move their long-term futures north, it is an early signal for the entire DFW region. You don't need to rush into an immediate purchase, but paying attention before the rest of the market catches on will position you best for the growth ahead.

Ready to grab your piece of North Dallas? Schedule a Zoom meeting with our team here or give us a call at 469-949-4292 and let's make your smoothest move yet! 📅✨