In a decisive step toward shaping its future, the city of McKinney, Texas, has officially greenlit a $1.3 billion mixed-use development that is poised to redefine the city’s northern gateway. Approved by the City Council earlier this month, the massive Long Branch project will transform 155 acres at the northwest corner of U.S. Highway 75 and the future U.S. 380 bypass into a dynamic hub of residential, commercial, and recreational activity.
The project, a joint venture by Creation Equity, Horizon Capital Holdings, and Vaulter, reflects the accelerating population and economic growth in Collin County, one of the fastest-growing regions in the country. Long Branch aims to become a model for master-planned urbanism that balances density with green space, and commercial vibrancy with community connectivity.
Project Scope and Vision
Long Branch is set to deliver more than 1,600 multifamily residences across four distinct zones. These include traditional multifamily apartments, brownstone-style homes, urban mixed-use units, and a high-density commercial sector. Anchoring the commercial element will be 135,000 square feet of retail space, including a 65,000-square-foot grocery store, and a 100-room hotel. The centerpiece of the project’s commercial ambitions, however, is a 318,600-square-foot Class A office campus spanning two six-story towers, designed to attract corporate tenants seeking premium suburban office space.
Other features include a five-story parking garage, 6,000 linear feet of pedestrian trails, and six acres of green space reserved for public use. Outdoor dining areas and communal gathering spots will weave the entire project together, giving residents and visitors opportunities to socialize and connect.
“This project represents our commitment to the future of McKinney. We’re designing Long Branch not just to meet today’s needs but to shape the next decade of growth,” said Alex Bez, Principal at Creation Equity. “It’s about creating a place where people want to live, work, and spend time.”
Strategic Timing and Location
The location of Long Branch is no accident. The site sits at what will soon become one of North Texas’s most critical interchanges, where U.S. 75 meets the new U.S. 380 bypass. This connectivity is expected to draw in a mix of regional commuters, retailers, and office tenants, solidifying the area as a major economic node.
McKinney has already added more than 25,000 residents since 2021 and is projected to reach a population of 284,000 by 2040. Median household income in the city hovers around $120,000, placing it among the more affluent suburban enclaves in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
“This isn’t just a real estate development—it’s an economic engine,” noted Mayor George Fuller. “Long Branch will generate jobs, support our small businesses, and offer housing options for a growing population.
Phased Rollout and Design Team
The development will be built in phases over the next decade. Tract 1 will consist of traditional apartments, Tract 2 will offer brownstone-style units, Tract 3 will combine retail and multifamily, and Tract 4 will feature the bulk of the commercial development. Infrastructure work is expected to begin in late 2025, with vertical construction anticipated to follow shortly thereafter.
Dallas-based architectural firm GFF is leading the project design, while construction will be managed by LGE Design Build. The development aims to blend urban-scale density with a neighborhood feel, incorporating best practices from comparable North Texas projects while offering a fresh take on suburban mixed-use design.
A Broader Development Wave
Long Branch is one of several major developments currently reshaping McKinney. In 2024 alone, the city issued nearly 2,400 residential and commercial permits, totaling $1.3 billion in new construction. Other projects underway include the $200 million Cannon Beach surf lagoon resort and the $300 million Sunset Amphitheater, a 20,000-seat live entertainment venue.
These investments underscore McKinney’s emergence as a regional powerhouse for live-work-play ecosystems and lifestyle-centric urbanism. The city’s proactive infrastructure strategy, business-friendly environment, and demographic momentum continue to attract developers, investors, and new residents.
Once complete, Long Branch is expected to be a catalyst for the northern expansion of McKinney, encouraging further commercial investment and residential development. It also represents a broader shift in how suburban cities are responding to urban pressures: by creating high-density, amenity-rich environments that rival their urban counterparts in experience and opportunity.
“This is the kind of project that helps define what a 21st-century suburb can be,” said Bez. “It’s not just about buildings—it’s about creating a complete ecosystem that serves the community.”
Sources: Dallas Business Journal, Community Impact, CultureMap Dallas, REBusinessOnline, Shopping Center Business
