After more than three years of halted development plans, primarily due to the economic recession in 2011, West Plano Village is expected to see its first residents in February 2015, and shoppers in spring 2015. Crews continue to add beams and walls to the mixed-use development that will ultimately be comprised of 90,000 square feet of retail, 60,000 square feet of office and 264 apartment units.
Stationed in west Plano along the Dallas North Tollway and Parker Road, the development is expected to include several high-profile restaurants with a few retail stores in the mix. The development is anchored by the European-style eatZi's restaurant that opened in 2013. The project is also complemented by shadow anchor Cinemark West Plano.
Cencor Realty Services and The Weitzman Group are the leading developers of the project; with AMLI Residential is building the apartments.
Gia Brodt, vice president of development for AMLI Residential, said West Plano Village is expected to be similar to the nearby Shops at Legacy, but on a smaller scale.
"We expect West Plano Village to be another destination for nearby residents," Brodt said. "In addition to eatZi's, there is an impressive lineup of restaurants that have been thoughtfully assembled by Cencor and Weitzman. We anticipate [the restaurants] will become a popular spot to grab a good meal."
The newest eatZi's market emerged in Plano with the knowledge that it would anchor the West Plano Village development. EatZi's CEO Adam Romo said he looks forward to the completion of the center that will add a variety of restaurants to an area that suffers from a dearth of food options.
"When you get a bunch of restaurants in an area, it just draws more people to that area," Romo said. "We believe it's the premier location in west Plano. That area is so dense, there is plenty of business to go around."
The list of restaurants includes Princi Italia, Pakpao, Mi Dia from Scratch and Kona Grill. Three more restaurants are expected to join, but announcements have yet to be announced, said David Plamer, executive vice president of Cencor Realty Services.
With the residential portion of the development opening first, Brodt said preleasing began in October. The appeal of the site stems from its access to the region's major thoroughfares and employment centers, she said. However, the walkability factor plays a role as well.
"West Plano Village is only one of a few locations nearby where residents can walk to the grocery store, retail shops, restaurants and a movie theater. It will attract those who want to be 'in the middle of it all,'" Brodt said.
Christina Day, director of planning for Plano, said the mixed-used development is unique by offering quality restaurants as well as having the attraction of nearby Cinemark.
"[The development] already had a base of entertainment there and then being able to add a residential, restaurant and shopping component will add activity and attractiveness to that corner of Parker [Road] and the tollway," Day said.
