Plano has approved the demolition of the Shops at Willow Bend’s south end to make way for The Bend project.
Centennial Real Estate Management LLC has passed a major hurdle in its plan to redevelop the Shops at Willow Bend. On Feb. 24, the Plano City Council voted to tear down the southern half of the mall—Macy’s included—to make way for a mixed-use community called The Bend. The other half, from Neiman Marcus to Dillard’s, will be saved as part of the renovation.
Macy’s has already said on Jan. 9 that it would close its Plano store, along with 66 other stores nationwide, this year. Earlier in the month, on Feb. 3, the Plano Planning and Zoning Commission voted to recommend approval of the redevelopment plans.
The council approval is a giant step towards Centennial’s vision of revitalizing the Shops at Willow Bend mall into a vibrant lifestyle destination where people can work, play, and live. The Bend, when completed, will consist of 965 residences, an 18-story hotel, a seven-story office tower, and a dog park.
Following the Feb. 12 rezoning vote on approximately 89 acres of the property, Centennial Executive Michael Platt indicated council approval for demolition would have construction on the south side underway as soon as the fourth quarter. The central shopping center will remain in operation, and initial building will be on multifamily dwellings. Anchor tenants will stay, but some retailers can look forward to being temporarily moved, a Feb. 4 release said.
History of The Shops at Willow Bend in Plano, Texas
Built in 2001 on West Park Boulevard and the Dallas North Tollway, the 1.4-million-square-foot mall was once a bustling shopping hub, home to box stores like Sephora, Anthropologie, and Victoria’s Secret. It has not fared well in recent history, however, with the departure of Apple in 2019 and decreased traffic through the pandemic. Centennial bought the property in 2022.
The redevelopment of The Shops at Willow Bend is just one example of a larger trend as malls in the area reinvent themselves to stay ahead of changing shopping habits. The same is occurring at Collin Creek Mall in Plano and Valley View Mall in Far North Dallas, as businesses attempt to breathe new life into aging retail spaces.
Read also: South Hills Mall Redevelopment Project, Cary
The Shops at Willow Bend’s South End Demolition Approved for The Bend Mixed-Use
Project Factsheet
Developer: Centennial Real Estate Management LLC
Location: Former Shops at Willow Bend, West Park Boulevard and Dallas North Tollway, Plano
Council Approval Date: February 24, 2025
Project Scope: Redevelopment of southern half of mall into mixed-use community
Key Development Components
965 residential units
18-story hotel
7-story office tower
Dog park
Retail spaces
Timeline
January 9, 2025: Macy’s announces closure of Plano store
February 3, 2025: Plano Planning and Zoning Commission recommends approval
February 12, 2025: Rezoning vote on approximately 89 acres
Latest, February 24, 2025: Plano City Council approves demolition
Q4 2025: Expected construction start on south side
Read also: $1.2 Billion Lakeforest Mall Redevelopment Project, Gaithersburg
Shops at Willow Bend History
Built in 2001 as a 1.4-million-square-foot shopping center
Formerly housed major retailers including Sephora, Anthropologie, and Victoria’s Secret
Experienced declining traffic after Apple’s departure in 2019 and throughout the pandemic
Acquired by Centennial in 2022
Current Status
Northern half (Neiman Marcus to Dillard’s) will be preserved and renovated
Central shopping center remains operational during construction
Some retailers will be temporarily relocated
Anchor tenants will remain
Broader Context
Part of regional trend of mall redevelopments
Similar projects underway at Collin Creek Mall and Valley View Mall
Read also: $700 Million Old Indian Springs Mall Redevelopment
