How Addison, Texas, Is Leveraging New Development To Expand Connectivity And Economic Growth

On Oct. 25, Dallas-Fort Worth's DART rail system opened its Silver Line regional rail service. The new line — which spans 26 miles and links seven cities in North Texas and DFW Airport at one end — is designed to provide access to other DART lines and buses and boost the region’s economy.

“With direct access to over 200,000 current job and educational opportunities within a half-mile anywhere on the 26-mile rail alignment, the Silver Line is providing increased connectivity to the Dallas-Fort Worth area,” said DART Vice President of Real Estate and Economic Development Caitlin Holland.

Addison, Texas, sits at the midpoint of the rail line. Addison Mayor Bruce Arfsten said the DART line is a “game-changer” for the town’s 17,000 residents and 80,000 workers as it provides people with more options to get where they need to go and increases the town's competitive advantage. 

The town is proceeding with plans to build Addison Junction, a $240M transit-oriented development that will connect the Silver Line to adjacent points of interest, such as Addison Airport and Addison Circle Park, a 10-acre park that hosts several events annually, including Kaboom Town and Oktoberfest. 

“Rail investment signals confidence,” said Addison Economic Development Director Wayne Emerson. “When seven cities, DART and our regional partners come together on a line like this, it tells the market we all believe in the future of this corridor. Addison Junction builds on that shared commitment by creating a district people want to experience every day for work, entertainment and everything in between.” 

Emerson said that well before the Silver Line was built, the town intentionally bought land around the Addison rail station in the hopes of creating this type of development.

The key to a successful transit-oriented development is merging land use, walkability and a destination designed with intentionality, rather than having a combination of random assets, Arfsten said. 

“Walkability and connectivity are two of the highest priorities for us and lead to better access to the community,” he said. “We want people to think of us when they’re looking at places to live or move their business.”

Addison is working with developer Quadrant Investment Properties on Addison Junction. It is set to begin construction in the summer of 2026.

Addison Junction will include an approximately 155K SF mass timber office building, 30K SF of entertainment retail, a boutique hotel with 140 rooms, and two parking garages. In addition to dining options, it will provide entertainment with a Texas-themed beer garden called Van Buren’s along with The Hangar, a 12K SF event space. It will also have rooftop patios and public plazas that lead to Addison Circle Park. 

The mass timber office building, in particular, is a unique feature for Addison. In addition to attracting workers back to the office, it will enable the town to show its commitment to architectural innovation and sustainability, Arfsten said. The building will feature indoor and outdoor common areas, creative tenant spaces, patios with views of the park and planes from the airport, a restaurant and a cafe.

Emerson said the office building is a way to “sell [our] location” and bring in workers from surrounding cities in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. 

The boutique hotel was also born out of a request from offices to accommodate workers and clients coming from out of town.

“People have choices about where they want to work, so we need a work environment that can compete with the other new office products in the market,” Emerson said. “Addison Junction rounds out the district by adding the amenities, dining and hospitality that support our existing buildings and create a cohesive, modern workplace environment.”

He said Addison Junction will combine “live, work, leisure and travel” within walking distance of the train. 

“Combining everything that people need will create a focal point for Addison,” Emerson said. “We want to draw them into the development like a moth to a flame when they get off the train line.”

Arfsten said a master-planned, transit-oriented development like Addison Junction involves purposeful planning, keeping the community’s needs in mind, and creating public spaces that can be blended with transit.

“From an economic standpoint, we’re sending a strong signal to the region that Addison is open for employers, retailers, residents and visitors that value having transit access and the vibrant surroundings that we provide here,” he said. “We’re interested in giving people a sense of place with intentional real estate development.”

This article was produced in collaboration between the town of Addison and Studio B. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.

Studio B is Bisnow’s in-house content and design studio. To learn more about how Studio B can help your team, reach out to studio@bisnow.com.