BlackStone Communities wants to bring “a bit of Italy to Prosper,” according to a report by town staff.
The Marco, a 143-acre proposed mixed-use development, seeks to recreate an Italian village on the northeast corner of Dallas North Tollway and US 380, per town documents. The Prosper Planning and Zoning Commission will review BlackStone Communities’ application for the planned development at an Aug. 18 meeting.
Conceptual plans for the development include a public square, retail, single-family and multifamily housing, a performing arts venue and a hotel, all centered around a lagoon with canals big enough to navigate by boat.
Diving in deeper
The Marco’s defining feature is its lagoon and canals, which are set to span over 15 acres, according to town documents.
In addition to serving as the development’s primary open space, the lagoon is also intended to act as stormwater detention, according to the developer’s letter of intent.
Around the lagoon, The Marco’s thoroughfares are designed for both cars and pedestrians.
The lagoon is encircled by a passeggiata, a continuous 26-foot wide walkway with “limited access” to cars, while traffic and parking are concentrated along the outer ring of the development, according to The Marco’s conceptual layout plan.
More details
Plans for The Marco feature a mix of housing options with the total number of residential units capped at 4,400:
- Mid-rise apartments: maximum 2,500 units
- High-rise residential (condominiums or apartments): maximum 400 units
- Retirement community: maximum 500 units
- Single-family and duplex housing (villas, townhomes, etc.): maximum 1,000 units
The 4,400-unit cap on total units and the 2,500-unit cap on mid-rise apartments are final according to the current draft of the agreement, although the exact numbers of other kinds of units are subject to change.
The Marco also includes a significant office, commercial and entertainment component.
In addition to office condos for smaller companies, conceptual plans for The Marco show two larger campuses with separate parking designated for corporate headquarters.
The development’s retail will largely be concentrated along DNT, according to town documents.
One retail area features larger lots with central parking, while another area centers smaller retail spaces around a plaza next to The Phoenix, the development’s proposed performing arts center.
The hotel included in plans for The Marco is set to include condos and overlooks the southeast portion of the lagoon.
Before you go
The planning commission will consider a planned development agreement for The Marco on Aug. 18.
Other items on the agenda for Aug. 18 include Frontier Gateway, a 36.4-acre proposed development with office, restaurants and retail on the southwest corner of Dallas Parkway and Frontier Parkway, and Saddle Creek Commercial, a 13.6-acre proposed development with office, restaurants and retail near the intersection of Preston Road and Prosper Trail.
