# Where North Texas Is Building: Cities With the Most New Projects (2026)

> Source: Realust (realust.com) · https://realust.com/where-north-texas-is-building/ · Published October 19, 2026 · Updated October 19, 2026

Which North Texas cities have the most new development? We ranked them by nearly 300 tracked projects, from Denton's data center to Celina's new downtown.

In May 2026 the U.S. Census Bureau named four Collin County cities among the five fastest-growing in the country (cities of 20,000 or more, July 2024 to July 2025). [Celina](https://realust.com/city/celina/) was No. 1, adding about 12,700 people in a single year. [Princeton](https://realust.com/city/princeton/), [Melissa](https://realust.com/city/melissa/) and [Anna](https://realust.com/city/anna/) were Nos. 3, 4 and 5. (For five-year population trends, see our [fastest-growing cities ranking](https://realust.com/fastest-growing-cities-north-texas/).)

Those numbers look backward. They tell you who already moved. If you’re buying or renting, the more useful question is what’s coming next: the new hospital, the highway widening, the high school that will redraw attendance zones, the 1,800-home subdivision going up across the road.

So we counted. Realust tracks nearly 300 announced, approved and under-construction projects across North Texas (jobs, schools, roads, hospitals, shopping, parks, housing and utilities) and checks them every month against city council agendas, school district bond pages, TxDOT and company announcements. Here’s how the cities stack up.

**Key takeaways (October 2026)**
- **Denton has the most on the way:** 22 projects, 9 already under construction, led by an AI data center expansion, the Horizon 35 business park and Hillwood’s 3,200-acre Landmark community.
- **Collin County dominates:** 7 of the top 10 cities are Collin County suburbs (McKinney, Frisco, Prosper, Celina, Plano, Anna and Princeton).
- **Dallas has the most actually being built:** 11 projects under construction, including the Goldman Sachs campus and the convention center rebuild.
- **Small towns punch above their weight:** Northlake has 13 projects on the way, more than Garland, a city of nearly 250,000.

## The ranking: most projects on the way

Counts include projects in or right next to each city that are announced, approved or under construction. A highway widening or hospital that serves two neighboring towns counts for both. Countywide bonds and tax votes aren’t counted. This list updates automatically as projects are added, open or fall through.

1. 1[Denton](https://realust.com/city/denton/#whats-coming)25 on the way · 9 under construction[H-E-B at Robson Ranch Road](https://realust.com/whats-coming/heb-at-robson-ranch-road/)[Core Scientific AI data center expansion](https://realust.com/whats-coming/core-scientific-ai-data-center-expansion/) **25** projects on the way
2. 2[McKinney](https://realust.com/city/mckinney/#whats-coming)21 on the way · 12 under construction[Encore Wire plant expansion](https://realust.com/whats-coming/encore-wire-plant-expansion/)[Kroger Marketplace, Custer & Frontier](https://realust.com/whats-coming/kroger-marketplace-custer-and-frontier/) **21** projects on the way
3. 3[Dallas](https://realust.com/city/dallas/#whats-coming)19 on the way · 11 under construction[Goldman Sachs campus](https://realust.com/whats-coming/goldman-sachs-campus/)[Convention Center rebuild](https://realust.com/whats-coming/convention-center-rebuild/) **19** projects on the way
4. 4[Northlake](https://realust.com/city/northlake/#whats-coming)16 on the way · 9 under construction[BSW emergency room, Champions Circle](https://realust.com/whats-coming/bsw-emergency-room-champions-circle/)[Pecan Square](https://realust.com/whats-coming/pecan-square/) **16** projects on the way
5. 5[Frisco](https://realust.com/city/frisco/#whats-coming)15 on the way · 8 under construction[Firefly Park](https://realust.com/whats-coming/firefly-park/)[The Mix (former Wade Park site)](https://realust.com/whats-coming/the-mix/) **15** projects on the way
6. 6[Prosper](https://realust.com/city/prosper/#whats-coming)15 on the way · 6 under construction[Watkins Middle School (Prosper ISD)](https://realust.com/whats-coming/watkins-middle-school/)[First Street widening](https://realust.com/whats-coming/first-street-widening/) **15** projects on the way
7. 7[Celina](https://realust.com/city/celina/#whats-coming)14 on the way · 9 under construction[Celina Downtown Center & library](https://realust.com/whats-coming/celina-downtown-center-and-library/)[Wilson Creek Park, Phase 1](https://realust.com/whats-coming/wilson-creek-park-phase-1/) **14** projects on the way
8. 8[Plano](https://realust.com/city/plano/#whats-coming)13 on the way · 8 under construction[Samsung U.S. HQ move to Plano](https://realust.com/whats-coming/samsung-u-s-hq-move-to-plano/)[Plano ISD CTE Center](https://realust.com/whats-coming/plano-isd-cte-center/) **13** projects on the way
9. 9[Princeton](https://realust.com/city/princeton/#whats-coming)13 on the way · 7 under construction[Kroger Marketplace (Princeton)](https://realust.com/whats-coming/kroger-marketplace/)[Abbott & Talley elementaries](https://realust.com/whats-coming/abbott-and-talley-elementaries/) **13** projects on the way
10. 10[Richardson](https://realust.com/city/richardson/#whats-coming)12 on the way · 7 under construction[Renovated Richardson main library](https://realust.com/whats-coming/renovated-richardson-main-library/)[US 75 technology lanes, I-635 to SH 121](https://realust.com/whats-coming/us-75-technology-lanes-i-635-to-sh-121/) **12** projects on the way
11. 11[Irving](https://realust.com/city/irving/#whats-coming)11 on the way · 5 under construction[Lake Carolyn Promenade final phase](https://realust.com/whats-coming/lake-carolyn-promenade-final-phase/)[DFW Airport Terminal F](https://realust.com/whats-coming/dfw-airport-terminal-f/) **11** projects on the way
12. 11[Anna](https://realust.com/city/anna/#whats-coming)11 on the way · 5 under construction[Rosamond Crossing (Kroger Marketplace)](https://realust.com/whats-coming/rosamond-crossing/)[Ora Bell Russell Elementary (Anna ISD)](https://realust.com/whats-coming/ora-bell-russell-elementary/) **11** projects on the way
13. 13[Allen](https://realust.com/city/allen/#whats-coming)11 on the way · 4 under construction[Sloan Corners](https://realust.com/whats-coming/sloan-corners/)[Downtown Allen Phase 1](https://realust.com/whats-coming/downtown-allen-phase-1/) **11** projects on the way
14. 14[Mesquite](https://realust.com/city/mesquite/#whats-coming)10 on the way · 4 under construction[BJ's Wholesale Club, Mesquite](https://realust.com/whats-coming/bjs-wholesale-club-mesquite/)[Mesquite ISD $600M bond projects](https://realust.com/whats-coming/mesquite-isd-600m-bond-projects/) **10** projects on the way
15. 15[Garland](https://realust.com/city/garland/#whats-coming)10 on the way · 2 under construction[Prime Data Centers Garland campus](https://realust.com/whats-coming/prime-data-centers-garland-campus/)[Grow Garland street & alley program](https://realust.com/whats-coming/grow-garland-street-and-alley-program/) **10** projects on the way

Live from the Realust project tracker, checked monthly. Counts include projects announced, approved or under construction in or next to each city; countywide bonds and tax votes aren't counted. [Explore the map →](https://realust.com/whats-coming-north-texas/)

## What’s coming to the top three

The five biggest projects in each of the current top three, with where they stand today.

### 1. Denton: 25 projects on the way

- [**H-E-B at Robson Ranch Road**](https://realust.com/whats-coming/heb-at-robson-ranch-road/) (opening soon, Late 2026–early 2027 (H-E-B estimate)): H-E-B is building Denton's first store, a 133,975-square-foot grocery with a fuel station and car wash at the northwest corner of I-35W and Robson Ranch Road, inside Hillwood's Landmark development. In September 2026 H-E-B moved its target up to late 2026 or early 2027, and hiring began in August. No grand-opening date has been announced.
- [**Core Scientific AI data center expansion**](https://realust.com/whats-coming/core-scientific-ai-data-center-expansion/) (under construction, Completion 2027): Core Scientific is converting its Denton site into an AI supercomputing center in a $635M expansion, raising power use from 294 to 394 MW and its leased city land from 31 to 78 acres.
- [**Texas Rehabilitation Hospital of Denton**](https://realust.com/whats-coming/texas-rehabilitation-hospital-of-denton/) (under construction, Opens 2027): Lifepoint Rehabilitation and Texas Health Resources broke ground in Nov. 2025 on a 40-room inpatient rehab hospital for stroke and brain-injury patients at I-35 and West University Drive.
- [**Landmark master-planned community**](https://realust.com/whats-coming/landmark-master-planned-community/) (under construction, Phased; first homes 2026): Hillwood's 3,200-acre, $10B community in southwest Denton plans 6,000+ homes, 3,000 apartments, about 1,000 acres of parks and an H-E-B-anchored retail center. Phase 1 has about 750 homes.
- [**Bonnie Brae Street widening**](https://realust.com/whats-coming/bonnie-brae-street-widening/) (under construction, Spring 2027): Denton is rebuilding Bonnie Brae Street between University Drive and Elm Street as a four-lane divided road with sidewalks, signals and drainage, a $37M project.

[See Denton's full Realust profile →](https://realust.com/city/denton/)

### 2. McKinney: 21 projects on the way

- [**Encore Wire plant expansion**](https://realust.com/whats-coming/encore-wire-plant-expansion/) (under construction, Opens 2027): Encore Wire broke ground in June 2025 on a 650,000 sq ft manufacturing expansion east of Airport Drive next to McKinney National Airport, expected to add 120 jobs.
- [**Kroger Marketplace, Custer & Frontier**](https://realust.com/whats-coming/kroger-marketplace-custer-and-frontier/) (under construction, Early 2027): A Kroger Marketplace broke ground in late Feb 2026 at the southeast corner of Custer Rd. and Frontier Pkwy. and is slated to open in early 2027.
- [**Sunset Amphitheater**](https://realust.com/whats-coming/sunset-amphitheater/) (under construction, 2027 (Venu targets early 2027)): The Sunset Amphitheater is a 20,000-seat covered outdoor concert venue going up on 46 acres at the northeast corner of US 75 and SH 121 in McKinney. Venu, the developer, says it is about 70% built and costs about $334 million. Live Nation will book it. Venu targets the first quarter of 2027, while the city's schedule sets final completion for September 2027.
- [**Erwin Park renovation**](https://realust.com/whats-coming/erwin-park-renovation/) (under construction, Reopens fall 2027): Erwin Park closed in Aug 2026 for a major renovation: overlook tower, restrooms, pavilions, new playground, concrete inner-loop trail and campsite water/power. Reopening expected fall 2027.
- [**Painted Tree**](https://realust.com/whats-coming/painted-tree/) (under construction, Selling now): Oxland Advisors' master-planned community in north McKinney, north of US 380 between Hardin Blvd and Lake Forest Dr, planned for about 3,400 homes. It sold 643 homes in 2025, No. 15 on RCLCO's national top-selling list.

[See McKinney's full Realust profile →](https://realust.com/city/mckinney/)

### 3. Dallas: 19 projects on the way

- [**Goldman Sachs campus**](https://realust.com/whats-coming/goldman-sachs-campus/) (under construction, Early 2028): Goldman Sachs is building an 800,000-sq-ft downtown campus next to the Perot Museum, consolidating two Dallas offices. Opening is projected for January 2028.
- [**Convention Center rebuild**](https://realust.com/whats-coming/convention-center-rebuild/) (under construction, Expected 2030): Demolition and rebuilding of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center downtown. In June 2026 the City Council kept the current design; the new center is expected to be delivered in 2030.
- [**Moody Children's Hospital**](https://realust.com/whats-coming/moody-childrens-hospital/) (under construction, Opens 2031): Children's Health and UT Southwestern topped out the 12-story hospital in Sept. 2026; the ~$5B Southwestern Medical District campus will have 552 beds across three towers.
- [**Harold Simmons Park**](https://realust.com/whats-coming/harold-simmons-park/) (under construction, Date TBD): $325M, 250-acre park on the Trinity River near downtown, between the Margaret McDermott and Ronald Kirk bridges; about 200 acres will be nature preserve. Ground broke April 2025.
- [**The Loop 50-mile trail completion**](https://realust.com/whats-coming/the-loop-50-mile-trail-completion/) (under construction, Expected 2027): The Loop Plaza, joining the Katy, Hi Line and Trinity Strand trails at Victory Ave. and Houston St., opens Oct. 20, 2026; the full 50-mile trail loop is expected in 2027.

[See Dallas's full Realust profile →](https://realust.com/city/dallas/)

## Small towns with big pipelines

Raw counts favor big cities. But on the edges of the metro, one new highway, high school or H-E-B changes daily life far more than it would in Plano or Dallas. These towns have pipelines that would look busy for a city ten times their size.

- [**Northlake**](https://realust.com/city/northlake/) (13 projects): Wistron’s AI server plants at AllianceTexas, MP Materials’ magnet campus, a Baylor Scott & White emergency room, an H-E-B at Robson Ranch Road and the new SH 114 main lanes.
- [**Argyle**](https://realust.com/city/argyle/) (9): Argyle ISD’s Legacy High School campus, the Heritage mixed-use district, US 377 widening and Hillwood’s Landmark community next door.
- [**Haslet**](https://realust.com/city/haslet/) (8): Northwest ISD’s J. Fred Davis High School, a Kroger Marketplace at Sendera Ranch, a new emergency room and the Wistron plants.
- [**Van Alstyne**](https://realust.com/city/van-alstyne/) (7): US 75 widening wrapping up, Liberty Hills (about 1,800 homes) and the Rosamond Crossing Kroger Marketplace.

## Growing fastest vs. building most

How the Census Bureau’s fastest-growing North Texas cities compare on what’s in the pipeline (October 2026):

| City | U.S. growth rank, 2024–25 | Projects on the way | Under construction |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Celina](https://realust.com/city/celina/) | No. 1 | 13 | 8 |
| [Princeton](https://realust.com/city/princeton/) | No. 3 | 12 | 6 |
| [Melissa](https://realust.com/city/melissa/) | No. 4 | 6 | 1 |
| [Anna](https://realust.com/city/anna/) | No. 5 | 12 | 6 |

The pattern is familiar: people arrive first, and infrastructure catches up. Celina is working through a $2.3 billion school bond (10 new campuses), the Dallas North Tollway extension and two new parks. Princeton has new elementary schools, a Kroger Marketplace and the US 380 widening under way. Melissa has fewer big projects so far, mostly road widening, a water pump station and Melissa ISD’s $875 million bond, so expect traffic and school crowding to run ahead of new amenities for a while.

## What this means if you’re buying or renting

- **Construction is a short-term cost.** Road projects often take years. Check what’s planned on your daily commute before you sign.
- **Jobs and hospitals add demand; big subdivisions add supply.** New employers tend to pull buyers in, while large master-planned communities add homes that can slow price growth nearby.
- **School bonds mean new campuses and new attendance zones.** If a specific school matters to you, check the district’s boundary plans, not just today’s map.
- **“Approved” isn’t “built.”** Announced and proposed projects can stall. Every project on Realust is labeled with its status so you can weigh it accordingly.
- **Look at a specific neighborhood.** Zoom into any area on the [North Texas projects map](https://realust.com/whats-coming-north-texas/) to see everything within reach, or [compare two cities](https://realust.com/compare/) side by side, including what’s coming to each.

## How we count

Every project in the Realust tracker comes from a primary or reputable source (city council and planning agendas, school district bond pages, TxDOT, company announcements and local news) and links to it on its own project page. We review the list monthly: new projects are added, statuses move from approved to under construction to open, and projects that are canceled come off. For this ranking we count everything not yet open, except tax and bond elections and regional items tied to more than six cities (like countywide water-rate changes), so each city is credited for what’s actually being built in or right next to it. Planned projects don’t affect any city’s [Realust Score](https://realust.com/best-places-to-live-north-texas/).

## Frequently asked questions

### Which North Texas city has the most new development?

As of October 2026, Denton has the most projects on the way in the Realust tracker (22), followed by McKinney (18), Dallas (17) and Frisco (15). The live ranking above updates as projects are added or open.

### Which North Texas city has the most construction right now?

Dallas has the most projects under construction in the Realust tracker (11 as of October 2026), followed by Denton and McKinney with 9 each.

### Which North Texas cities are growing fastest?

By population, Celina. The Census Bureau’s May 2026 estimates ranked it the fastest-growing U.S. city with at least 20,000 residents, adding about 12,700 people from July 2024 to July 2025. Princeton, Melissa and Anna ranked third, fourth and fifth.

### Does new development raise home prices?

It depends on what’s being built. New employers, hospitals and shopping tend to increase demand for nearby homes, while large new subdivisions add supply that can slow price growth. Construction itself can be a short-term negative for homes right next to it.

### How often is this ranking updated?

The rankings on this page pull live from the Realust project tracker, which is reviewed every month. The written highlights reflect October 2026.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2025 city population estimates, as reported by the [Associated Press](https://mynorthwest.com/national/small-cities-in-big-texas-metro-areas-lead-as-the-fastest-growing-municipalities-in-the-us/4238186) (May 14, 2026) and the [Murphy Monitor](https://murphymonitor.com/2026/05/21/texas-boomtowns-lead-in-population-growth/) (May 21, 2026). Project sources are linked on each project page.

Site guide for AI assistants: https://realust.com/llms.txt