Photo courtesy of GFF Design

Once again, the proposed $800 million mixed-use project on the southwest corner of Preston Road and Royal Lane, opposite Central Market, has lowered the height of its controversial towers.

According to a story by The Dallas Morning News, Developer Leland Burk has cut the height of the project’s hotel and high-rise condo sections from 299 feet to 240 feet. The apartment tower will be reduced to 210 feet, coming down from 250 feet.

The changes are the result of Burk’s meeting with Dallas City Council members on May 18, where the concerns of Preston Hollow neighbors were echoed in a conversation with city planning commissioners.

As a result of the decreased number of floors, the number of condos will be no greater than 50, and the number of hotel rooms will be no more than 150. To accommodate these changes, one story will be added to the office mid-rise section, increasing its height to 12 stories.

The building project, which is marked to hold a central green area, along with a five-star hotel, in addition to the residential and office spaces, has encountered hurdles ever since its proposal in October. That initial plan called for a 325-foot, 28-story tower with a hotel and condos; a 275-foot, 24-story tower for apartments; two other office structures and room for restaurants.

In the months since, Burk has encountered resistance as a result of the area’s current zoning cap sitting at 54 feet. If the project is to be built at its current size, a key city sign-off will be needed.

Burk’s proposition in January for a zoning change that would raise the site’s allowed height from 54 to 325 feet was met with strong community resistance. The nonprofit Preserve Preston Hollow was created to combat the development of the site.

The organization cites that the size of the project would overwhelm the surrounding neighborhood, increase traffic at a dangerous intersection and potentially delay emergency response times from the nearby fire station, among other concerns. The group’s petition to oppose the project has gained over 3,500 signatures.

Burk also plans to improve traffic and pedestrian problems in the area, in addition to planting over 200 trees in the area, which was heavily impacted by the 2019 EF3 tornado that ripped through the area.

TIMELINE OF EVENTS

October 2025: The project is proposed by Developer Leland Burk, with GFF Design serving as the project architect. A 325-foot, 28-story tower with a hotel and condos; a 275-foot, 24-story tower for apartments; two other office structures, and room for restaurants are proposed, outfitted with underground parking and a half-acre central green space.

January 2026: Burk applies for a zoning change that would raise the allowed building height from 54 feet to 325 feet to accommodate the project. Surrounding neighbors object.

April 2026: The tallest structure is lowered to 299 feet.

June 2026: The hotel and condo high-rise are lowered to 240 feet, and the apartment tower is lowered to 210 feet.