A sprawling 110-acre property at the former Valley View Center in North Dallas has emerged as a significant contender for the future home of the Dallas Mavericks. While developer Scott Beck has not confirmed direct negotiations, the site's strategic location and scale make it a prime candidate as the NBA team plans its move from the American Airlines Center.
Key Takeaways
- A 110-acre parcel at the former Valley View mall is a potential location for a new Dallas Mavericks arena.
- The site is part of the city's larger 450-acre International District, planned for mixed-use development.
- Dallas Mavericks CEO Rick Welts stated the team is evaluating sites and aims to make a decision by early 2026.
- The property has a history of stalled development but recently resolved key infrastructure issues, making it ready for a major project.
A Premier Location for a New Arena
The former Valley View Center, located at the busy intersection of Preston Road and Interstate 635, represents one of the largest undeveloped tracts of land in Dallas. Its potential to house a new state-of-the-art sports and entertainment complex is drawing attention from real estate experts and city observers.
Steve Triolet, senior vice president of research for the real estate firm Partners, described the property as an ideal fit. "It makes a lot of sense for it to have a stadium there," Triolet said. "It checks all the boxes. It’s as perfect as you can get."
The Dallas Mavericks are actively searching for a new home to replace the aging American Airlines Center. While the team's CEO, Rick Welts, remained noncommittal about specific locations, he confirmed the evaluation process is underway. "We continue our process of evaluating sites suggested by the City of Dallas," Welts stated, indicating a decision is anticipated in early 2026.
Site by the Numbers
- 110 acres: The total size of the available property.
- 450 acres: The size of the broader International District it resides in.
- $4 billion: The projected value of the original Dallas Midtown development plan.
- 20,000: The number of parking spaces associated with the former mall.
A History of Stalled Ambitions
For decades, Valley View Center was a bustling shopping hub after its opening in 1973. However, like many American malls, it fell into decline and was ultimately demolished between 2019 and 2023.
Beck Ventures, led by developer Scott Beck, acquired the property in 2012 with an ambitious vision. The initial plan, called Dallas Midtown, was a large-scale mixed-use project featuring luxury hotels, office towers, retail, and restaurants. To support this, the city of Dallas created a 450-acre planned development zone in 2013, encompassing both Valley View and the nearby Galleria Dallas.
This zone, now known as the International District, was intended to become a walkable, high-density urban village. However, the Dallas Midtown project never broke ground. According to Beck, progress was halted by logistical delays, primarily the city's failure to install necessary sewer infrastructure. A $36 million incentive package offered by the city eventually expired due to the lack of development.
The International District Vision
The city's 2013 rezoning established a form-based code for the 450-acre area. Unlike traditional zoning that separates uses (e.g., residential, commercial), form-based codes regulate the physical form of buildings and their relationship to public spaces. The goal was to create a vibrant, walkable neighborhood, which Beck has referred to as a potential "satellite downtown" for North Dallas.
Renewed Momentum and Infrastructure
After years of inaction, the site's prospects have recently improved. Beck Ventures, along with property co-owners Seritage Growth Properties and Life Time, took matters into their own hands. Earlier this year, the partners completed a $10 million sanitary sewer installation, removing a critical barrier to development.
Following this crucial upgrade, the 110-acre parcel was officially put on the market for sale. This move has reignited speculation about its future, with a major sports franchise being a logical anchor for such a large and well-positioned property.
Even if a stadium requires a zoning change, experts like Triolet do not foresee it being a major obstacle given the project's potential economic impact and the city's long-standing desire to see the area developed.
Strategic Advantages of the Site
The Valley View property holds several key advantages that make it an attractive option for a large-scale venue like an NBA arena.
Accessibility and Transportation
The site's location offers excellent connectivity. It sits directly adjacent to I-635 and is close to the Dallas North Tollway, two of the region's primary transportation arteries. This makes it easily accessible for fans traveling from downtown Dallas, the northern suburbs, and beyond.
Furthermore, discussions have persisted for a proposed autonomous transportation system, or "people mover," that would connect the Valley View site with the Galleria. Such a system would enhance the district's walkability and reduce reliance on personal vehicles.
Population and Density
The property is situated in a densely populated area, positioned strategically between the central business district and the rapidly growing suburban communities to the north. "It’s one of the busiest areas," Triolet noted, highlighting the built-in audience and customer base for an entertainment destination.
An "Eatertainment District" with an Arena Anchor
Developer Scott Beck maintains that the core vision for the site remains unchanged: to create a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly district. He now refers to this concept as an "eatertainment district," featuring a grid of streets lined with restaurants, retail, apartments, and offices.
Beck confirmed that this flexible master plan could easily accommodate a major anchor tenant, such as a sports arena or a large corporate campus.
"Could you then take a part of that and say ‘that’s going to be a stadium?’ Absolutely," Beck explained. "Could you say that’s going to be the new AT&T corporate campus? Absolutely. Could it be some other corporate campus? Absolutely."
Beck also revealed that his development group is preparing to announce a new mixed-use project on a portion of the site within the next month. However, he emphasized that this initial phase would not prevent a larger user, like the Mavericks, from also securing a place in the development.
Despite the long delays, Beck remains optimistic. "It’s upsetting that it’s taken this long to get started, but it will be a world class development," he said. "It’s an important area to the city, it’s an important area to our family and to our company."
Interestingly, this is not the first time the site has been linked to the Mavericks. Before selling his majority stake in 2023, former owner Mark Cuban confirmed he was approached about the property. "A broker approached me," Cuban said in an email. "I asked what the price of VV would be. He told me the market price. I said no thank you." With new team ownership and renewed site viability, circumstances may have changed.
