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Perot Museum to Spend $185 Million on Upgrades

DFW: The Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Victory Park plans to spend $185 million to double its exhibition space and enhance operations at the world-renowned museum. A capital campaign has already raised more than $135 million, and the museum is working to secure the remaining $50 million. A groundbreaking is planned for early next year. The project will convert about four acres of parking and plaza areas into an outdoor science attraction and gardens. The 60,000 square feet of new exhibition space will include a fire tornado, a cloud maze, geysers, and demos of thunder and lightning. A new parking garage, a renovated lobby, and upgraded classroom, dining and event space also are part of the plan. The new additions and renovations are expected to be completed by 2028, and museum officials anticipate an additional 400,000 visitors each year.

DFW: A North Texas developer is looking to replicate its European-themed village in another Dallas suburb. The Prosper Town Council has approved a zoning request from the Blackard Companies for a $2 billion development modeled after Venice, Italy. The Marco would combine condominiums, villas, townhomes, apartments and senior housing with shops, restaurants, entertainment, a 15-acre lagoon and canal, and as many as two hotels. The site would be located on 140 acres northeast of the Dallas North Tollway and U.S. 380 intersection. The lagoon would accommodate boats while helping manage stormwater. Commercial buildings around the perimeter would shield the pedestrian-oriented interior from highway noise. Blackard Companies created Adriatica, McKinney’s Croatian-style village at Stonebridge Ranch. Construction at The Marco would unfold over several years, starting with infrastructure and central amenities. A timeline has yet to be announced. 

DFW: Frisco’s Fields development could add up to 11 million square feet of offices under a partnership between The Karahan Companies and KDC, the developers behind major corporate campuses at Plano’s Legacy West. Nearly 700 acres within the 2,545-acre community would be available for offices, with sites along the Dallas North Tollway, U.S. Highway 380, Panther Creek Parkway and PGA Parkway. Buildings could range from sprawling campuses to high-rise towers, depending on tenants’ requirements. The companies are courting businesses seeking new headquarters or expanded operations in North Texas. The land already permits office development under existing zoning. Individual projects would still require approved site plans, engineering clearances and building permits before construction. No corporate occupants have been announced. Construction could begin sometime next year but a firm groundbreaking date has yet to be set. 

DFW:  Fort Worth could gain 1,500 jobs under Carrier Global’s plan to spend more than $600 million on a 1 million-square-foot factory and engineering hub over three years. The air-conditioning equipment maker selected Hillwood’s AllianceTexas development for its largest investment in a single plant. Work is expected to begin sometime next year. Carrier will make commercial cooling equipment for customers including data centers, hospitals, schools and industrial businesses. Rising orders have pushed Carrier’s backlog to record levels, prompting the expansion. Fort Worth won out over locations in six other states based on access to skilled workers, nearby customers and an established manufacturing industry. Engineering laboratories and partnerships with local schools and colleges will support employee training.

LALALAND: This time, it’s all about that price—as far as Meghan Trainor is concerned. The “All About That Bass” Grammy winner and her husband are asking $17.995 million for their Encino, California, estate that already has had famous previous tenants. The approximately 14,779-square-foot residence occupies nearly an acre with six bedrooms and 12 bathrooms. Previous owners include music producer Zedd, singer Joe Jonas and his then-wife actress Sophie Turner of Game of Thrones fame. Trainor and her husband, actor Daryl Sabara, paid Zedd $17.125 million for the property in 2024. Jonas and Turner bought it new for $14.1 million in 2019, then sold it to Zedd for $15.2 million in 2021. The celebrity lineage helped shape its amenities. Zedd installed a recording studio and theater, while Jonas commissioned a pub inspired by Chicago bars. Other features include a catering kitchen, gym, children’s playroom and a primary suite with private patios. Outside, a pool, spa, putting green and outdoor kitchen complement the grounds. 

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