What’s Happening
Preston Hollow is a neighborhood in north Dallas that was once a rural farm area before joining the city in the 1940s.
Known for its mature trees and distinctive architecture, it is home to both private and public schools, a variety of shopping and dining options, family-run small businesses and banks.
Developers would like to build two skyscrapers at the southwest corner of Preston Road and Royal Lane, in an area that was damaged by a tornado in 2019.
The land is currently zoned as Community Retail, to support buildings no taller than 54 feet. The developers originally asked the Dallas City Council to rezone this parcel to allow for buildings up to 325 feet—that’s taller than the Statue of Liberty. They’ve now requested that the tallest tower stand at 25 stories, but that’s still too tall.
The neighborhood is supportive of the proposed mix of uses—multi-family, retail, and office—provided the development remains consistent with the existing Community Retail zoning, including the current 54-foot height limit.
We believe that aligning with the established zoning standard can be a positive addition to the corridor while remaining compatible with the surrounding residential neighborhoods.
Why it Matters
This type of development is out of character with our neighborhood and would have a profoundly negative impact on the community. It also has implications for nearby areas.
We want development—we just want it to follow Forward Dallas 2.0, the long-range guide for how and where the City should sensibly grow, which the City Council adopted in September 2024.
Allowing skyscrapers here could open the flood gates for similar, jumbo developments along Preston Road, including the corners at Preston and Forest, turning the well-planned neighborhood into something similar to Houston.
The proposed development would mean a dramatic increase in traffic at an intersection that is already considered high-density by the state.
This spot zoning change does not align with the character of the neighborhood, which is suburban by design. While we want development in this space, we do not want skyscrapers and would like the city to maintain the Community Retail zoning for this quadrant to its current height of 54 feet, which is consistent with the area and strengthens our community identity.
We’ve come together as a group of concerned neighbors to ensure that residents, schools and businesses know about the proposed development and its potential impacts, so they can make their voices heard.
Help Grow Our Petition to Oppose the Preston & Royal High-Rise
If you haven’t yet signed, we encourage you to sign the Preserve Preston Hollow petition. Each signature helps demonstrate to City Plan Commissioners and City Council members the strength, unity and sincerity of our opposition to development exceeding the current zoning height limit of 54 feet at this location. We especially need signatures from the 75225, 75229 and 75230 zip codes.
Representatives at City Hall should know and understand the neighborhoods they serve.
If Preston Hollow residents wanted to live near skyscrapers, we would live elsewhere. Changing the Community Retail designation would be placing the needs of developers ahead of those of the community—the opposite of “Neighborhood-Focused Leadership.”
What’s Next?
The developers have submitted an application to change the zoning of this area, and the property owners with land closest to the site will have the most influence in what the Dallas City Plan Commission and the Dallas City Council decides to do next. A City Plan Commission Hearing is scheduled for JUNE 25. We will post more information on how to help.
How to Help
We’d like to show the City just how widespread opposition to this proposed development is and encourage leaders to deny the zoning change request. Here’s what you can do:
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Email District 13 Council Rep. Gay Donnell Willis at [email protected]. We also have pre-printed postcards, if you’d like some.
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Request a yard sign by contacting [email protected].
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Encourage like-minded neighbors to contact city council members and zoning commissioners.
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Sign the “Say No” Petition opposing the zoning change by emailing [email protected]. We will coordinate getting your signature.
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Help grow our petition by helping gather additional signatures. Learn more here.
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Join us. We’ll continue canvassing the neighborhood with more information and our petition. We have other specific skilled volunteer needs as well . If you’d like to help, email [email protected].
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Donate. Email [email protected] to learn more.
