Wilks Development receives final approval needed for north Frisco's Firefly Park

After more than five years of development plans and city meetings, Firefly Park is officially moving forward.

Frisco City Council amended a zoning ordinance at its June 21 meeting that would allow the 230-acre mixed-use project at the southwest corner of US 380 and the Dallas North Tollway. The development, which is slated to bring about 30 acres of park space, 2,200 residential units and 650,000 square feet of office space, received unanimous approval from both the council and the planning and zoning commission.

The residential units will be a mix of townhomes and high- and mid-rise apartments. Firefly Park is expected to be completed in multiple phases, according to city documents. Phase 1 will consist of the boutique hotel, office space and green space.

Wilks Development, The BFC Group, UNStudio and Sasaki are partners on the project, which will be anchored by the 200-room Dream Hotel.

The council commended Wilks Development President Kyle Wilks for working with city officials and the Frisco Economic Development Corp. over the years to arrive at an agreeable plan.

At his first meeting with Wilks in 2017, Mayor Jeff Cheney said the city would never approve the project, originally called The Oxbow at Frisco.

“This is a very aspirational vision for what this piece of property can become,” Cheney said of the approved plan. “The open space that runs through it is music to our ears.”

Council members Tammy Meinershagen and Angelia Pelham said Firefly Park will provide a space for people of all ages to gather.

“We have said for many years that we want to continue to create new entertainment destinations, and that’s exactly what you’re doing,” Pelham said.

Editor's note: This article has been updated to include UNStudio as a project partner.