The Cannon Beach project, which will also feature retail spaces with restaurants and family-focused entertainment offerings, is slated to attract 300,000 visitors annually.
“We cannot be more excited to bring a beach paradise to McKinney, whose leadership shares our unparalleled vision for a world-class, family-friendly destination that will quite literally bring the ocean to its backyard,” Developer Cole Cannon said in the release.
The first phase of the project is expected to open as soon as 2026, the release stated.
The details
The 35-acre mixed-use development will be located at the northeast corner of Stacy Road and SH 121 on land currently owned by the McKinney Economic Development Corporation.
The project will feature a full-service resort-style hotel, the release states. The hotel will include a rooftop pool as well as wedding and event spaces. The resort property will also feature a beach that will connect to the surf lagoon, and lounge areas and cabanas with food service.
The project is centered around a roughly 4-acre surf lagoon that will host water-focused attractions including cliff-diving and a stationary surf wave, the release states.
“Cannon Beach promises to offer something for everyone, from families and thrill-seekers to professionals and entrepreneurs,” Cannon said.
The mixed-use development will also feature restaurants, family-friendly entertainment and business spaces, but no residential development. According to the release, some potential retail uses include:
- A skateboard park
- A movie theater
- A bowling alley
- A health club
- Other indoor recreational facilities
“In addition to the tourism component of this project, Cannon Beach plans to deliver 100,000 square feet of state-of-the-art office space, positioning itself as a hub for top talent and innovation, from global corporations to ambitious startups,” McKinney Mayor George Fuller said in the release.
The development will support 700 local jobs and is expected to generate a $2 billion economic impact over 20 years, according to a statement from the MEDC.
Quote of note
“This project is truly transformative, answering our community’s call for more family-focused activities while positioning McKinney as a premier destination for one-of-a-kind recreational experiences,” Fuller said in the release. “Cannon Beach perfectly reflects our city’s unique spirit, seamlessly combining innovative attractions with purposeful urban planning to drive economic growth.”
Diving in deeper
The project is a partnership between the Cannon Development Group as well as the city of McKinney, the McKinney Economic Development Corporation, and the McKinney Community Development Corporation, the release states.
The Cannon Development Group recently opened its first surf-focused development in Mesa, Arizona. The 37-acre Cannon Beach mixed-use development features similar elements to what is proposed at the McKinney project, the release states, including a surf park called Revel Surf. The surf park is the first development worldwide to feature a large travelling wave and a stationary rapid surf wave in one park, its website states.
Looking ahead
Consideration of the project’s site plan as well as formal incentive agreements are also slated for early next year.
City leaders are pursuing an agreement with the developers for the project, including consideration of incentives for the project, such as:
- Infrastructure assistance
- Land acquisition
- Tax rebates
