Plano’s Shops at Willow Bend gets OK for a mixed-use redevelopment
In 2001, Taubman opened the 1.4 million-sq.-ft Shops at Willow Bend — anchored by Lord & Taylor and Neiman Marcus — to provide high-end retail options to the growing and affluent population of Plano, Texas.
Soon, some of that space will be transformed into The Bend, a mixed-use, walkable destination with single-family residences and streetscapes lined with retail, dining, office, and hospitality space.
Dallas-based Centennial acquired the property in 2022 with a desire to re-make the property, and this week announced it had received approval from the Plano Planning & Zoning Commission to make its vision a reality.
“Our goal remains to transform The Shops at Willow Bend into a vibrant, walkable destination that thoughtfully integrates a wide range of uses into a well-curated and compelling environment for the greater Plano community,” said Michael Platt, Centennial’s executive VP of mixed-use development. “We look forward to continuing the process with the city council in the coming weeks.”
Centennial’s acquisition of the Macy’s building provided it with the opportunity to reconfigure the property, allowing for the addition of attached town homes and detached single-family homes, a direct response to requests from city council members.
A portion of the enclosed mall’s footprint will be demolished to make room for multifamily housing options, a hotel, a neighborhood dog park and green spaces. Residences will feature ground-level retail.
While Centennial expects to retain its premier tenants at The Shops at Willow Bend, some retailers may be temporarily relocated during construction. The center is actively collaborating with retailers throughout the process to explore future leasing opportunities at The Bend.
The tenants include Neiman Marcus, Dillard’s, Crate & Barrel, Equinox, The North Texas Performing Arts Theater, and the Crayola Experience.
The Shops at Willow Bend also feature a chef-driven dining area called The District. Presenting options such as Knife Steakhouse, Mexican Bar Company, and Whistle Britches.
