Large Development Tract South of Dallas Sold

One of the largest potential development tracts south of Dallas has sold. Dallas-based developer Cawley Partners closed on the 5,200-acre South Creek Ranch property. The land, near Ferris, is in Dallas and Ellis counties, about 20 miles south of downtown Dallas.

Terms, including the purchase price, were not disclosed. The firm said it plans to build a mixed-use development that could include data centers and thousands of homes. Initial development will focus on 2,000 acres on the property’s northern side.

Development Plans

Cawley Partners plans to build a series of “digital commerce parks” near the future Loop 9 highway corridor. The site could include data centers, advanced manufacturing, logistics buildings, and other commercial uses. The site could support a more than 1,000-acre corporate campus, the developers said.

Cawley told The Dallas Morning News that as many as 5,000 homes may be built within the development. The two portions of the development will be separated by a natural break in the terrain, said Tim Keith, partner at Cawley Partners.

A rendering of land purchased by Cawley Partners. The firm plans to build a mixed-use development on more than 5,000 acres in Dallas and Ellis counties.

Development Timeline

Development work will start immediately. The first building will be completed in two to three years. Information regarding the single-family homes will be released at a later date.

Property History

South Creek Ranch once belonged to late businessman W. Ray Wallace, who was the CEO of Dallas-based Trinity Industries. He acquired the property and used the ranch for decades before his death in 2016.

The ranch was being sold out of Wallace’s trust. Most of the land was used for cattle and growing hay. The property has been partially developed as a residential neighborhood, Woodstone.

Wallace’s wife, Bea, told The News in 2019 that her late husband wanted to see the land developed. “He always thought that it would be a housing development,” Bea Wallace said. “It’s a prime location, plus it’s a beautiful piece of property.”

Property Features

The nearly 8.5-square-mile property includes a 23,000-square-foot stone mansion built in 2000. The home overlooks a small lake.

South Creek Ranch also has ranch headquarters buildings, barns, and other homes on the land. The property will operate as a ranch in the short term. Plans for the mansion will be determined at a later date. The home may be repurposed or sold, but it is “way too valuable to be destroyed,” said Keith of Cawley Partners.

Reaction to the Sale

“It will be transformational to the south of Dallas,” said Bernard Uechtritz of Icon Global, who brokered the sale. Cawley Partners calls the deal one of the largest land transactions in recent years.

“It’s a pretty big one,” said Ted Wilson, who oversees the Dallas new home research firm Residential Strategies Inc. “There are a handful of builders in the Ferris market. It’s certainly a convenient location (for) getting back to work centers downtown.”

The Dallas City Council approved the rezoning last month after years of conflict between the developer and nearby residents.

Conclusion

The sale of South Creek Ranch is a significant development for the south of Dallas. The planned mixed-use development will bring new homes, businesses, and opportunities to the area. Cawley Partners has a vision for the property that honors the legacy of its former owner, W. Ray Wallace, and benefits the community for generations to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many acres is the South Creek Ranch property?

A: The South Creek Ranch property is approximately 5,200 acres.

Q: What type of development is planned for the property?

A: A mixed-use development, including data centers, thousands of homes, and commercial uses, is planned for the property.

Q: When will development work start?

A: Development work will start immediately, with the first building expected to be completed in two to three years.

Q: What will happen to the 23,000-square-foot stone mansion on the property?

A: Plans for the mansion will be determined at a later date, but it may be repurposed or sold.