Plano Okays Redo of Struggling Mall

Few will argue that the Shops at Willow Bend in Plano isn’t in a great location. It most likely is. Changing shopping trends and Covid can be blamed for the decline of the once-thriving retail center. Now, after months of back and forth, Plano’s Planning & Zoning Commission approved a proposal by Centennial Real Estate Management LLC to redevelop the sprawling mall.

The Dallas Business Journal reports in an effort to revive the retail-focused center, Dallas-based Centennial has proposed to knock down much of the retail space and build 965 apartments, an 18-story hotel and a seven-story office building in the coming years.

The developer intends to demolish 530,000 square feet of the shopping center, including the food court and northern wing. It intends to maintain the remaining 400,000 square feet, in addition to three large department stores occupied by Macy’s, Dillard’s and Neiman Marcus as well as a Crate & Barrel, Equinox, a restaurant area and three parking structures.