First phase of $1.5 billion mixed-use project up and running
The first pieces of a planned $1.5 billion, 25-acre mixed-use development in Carrollton are complete.
Atlanta-based developer The Integral Group and Irving-based Koa Partners have partnered with the city of Carrollton and Dallas Area Rapid Transit for the Trinity Mills Station development.
The project is next to a DART rail station near the southeast corner of Stemmons Freeway and Bush Turnpike on Trinity Mills Road. DART and the city own the land for the project.
Representatives for the four parties took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the apartment development at the site Wednesday morning.
The project’s first phase includes a 3-acre green space, a sculptural lighted water fountain and seating areas similar in size to Klyde Warren Park in Uptown Dallas, developers said.
In addition to the green space, the first phase also includes the EVIVA mixed-use apartment development. It features 436 apartments with structured parking and 10,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space that could house restaurants, coffee shops and more, developers said.
Construction on the apartments finished in October and nearly 50% are leased. Integral is in talks with several regional brands to sign retail leases in 2026.
“We think of this as a quality residential development at a transit hub, and it brings activity which we know we need as we think about growing the area further and further,” said Integral Group CEO Egbert Perry.
Carrollton has pledged $15 million to the Trinity Mills Station project, and the total investment could reach $30 million, said Carrollton Mayor Steve Babick. The project is located within a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone. Taxes collected above the base amount are used to fund improvements and public amenities within the zone.
“This central location in D-FW that we call Carrollton is so important to the entire local economy,” he said. “We look forward to continued investment and continued partnership with all of our partners.”
Regionally connected
Developers tout the site as one of the most regionally connected areas in North Texas, where DART’s Green Line, Denton County Transportation Authority’s A-Train, Interstate 35E and the Bush Turnpike all come together.
Adjacent turnpike and Old Denton shopping nodes drew nearly 10.5 million customer visits, comparable to Legacy West and Grandscape, developers said.
Next phases of the transit-oriented development are in various stages of planning, design and financing.
Plans call for more than 800 residential units, nearly 1 million square feet of retail and Class A office space, a more than 120-room upscale hotel and entertainment options, developers said.
The project milestone comes as Carrollton weighs its future affiliation with DART. Babick told KERA earlier this week that the city hasn’t come to a decision yet on whether to hold a withdrawal election.
Four North Texas cities have scheduled elections to consider leaving DART — Irving, Plano, Highland Park and Farmers Branch.
The potential Carrollton vote wouldn’t impact future development phases around Trinity Mills, Babick said Wednesday. The mayor said if the city left DART, the rail line would not sit empty and unused.
It’s possible the city could no longer be part of DART but still have a relationship with the agency, he said. Babick cited Coppell as an example.
“This is a transit-oriented development. So any decisions regarding transit — transit will always be fundamental to this development whether it’s DART, whether its [the Denton County Transportation Authority], whether it’s a brand new transit agency,” he said. “DART is our partner today, and we’re very proud of our partnership with DART.”
Local partnership
DART CEO Nadine Lee said the Trinity Mills project is an example of what the agency can do in partnership with local governments.
“The development speaks for itself,” she said. “The partnership works when all parties want to do similar things and have a grand vision to work together. This is the result of it.
“But when the parties aren’t working together, then things don’t happen,” she added. “Who loses? The community loses. … When you’re under attack, it’s hard to nurture those partnerships.”
