The Central Mixed-Use District Takes Shape: 27-Acre Dallas Project Moves Forward With Hotel, Residences, and Dining

The Central, an ambitious 27-acre mixed-use development at U.S. 75 and North Haskell Avenue in Dallas, is entering a critical execution phase with multiple components now moving toward construction. CEO Artemio De La Vega of De La Vega Development revealed that the project is currently navigating permitting for a 400-unit residential high-rise and wellness club, while simultaneously closing a deal with a Marriott Autograph Collection hotel developer. The hotel, which will feature approximately 200 rooms, is targeted to break ground in the first quarter of 2027, while the health and wellness club could begin construction as early as summer 2026.

The wellness component is positioned as a flagship amenity, with De La Vega describing it as poised to become "the premier health and wellness experience in DFW." The facility will encompass multiple pools, a gym, spa services, and an on-site restaurant. Beyond these anchor tenants, The Central will anchor a 2-acre park surrounded by three restaurants—two of which will be outside operators new to the DFW market—though De La Vega strategically withheld the restaurant names pending lease finalization. The developer is also exploring office space development adjacent to the hotel.

The project's journey has been lengthy, with De La Vega beginning land acquisition in 2017. The site became an internet curiosity in 2020 when partial demolition of a former Affiliated Computer Services building created the viral "Leaning Tower of Dallas." Initial construction was set for 2020 but was derailed by the Covid-19 pandemic, pushing the timeline back to fall 2022. The first phase has already validated the development strategy: The Oliver, a 321-unit high-rise developed by Dallas-based StreetLights Residential, opened in October 2024 and has performed "very successfully" according to De La Vega. The location's proximity to Highland Park, Uptown, and Knox-Henderson, combined with direct U.S. 75 access, positions The Central at an inflection point between Dallas's established premium neighborhoods.