What's Happening to Willow Bend Mall in Plano? Here's What's Coming Next

 

Willow Bend Mall in Plano officially closed to tenants on August 31, 2026, making way for The Bend, a proposed $3 billion mixed-use development with retail, homes, offices, and a potential arena for the Dallas Stars. Demolition on part of the site could start as early as the end of 2026.

 

I've sold homes less than five minutes from Willow Bend Mall, and I can tell you Plano residents have strong feelings about that building closing. As of August 31, tenants turned in their keys for good. A couple of exceptions are sticking around a bit longer (Neiman Marcus through January 2027, Crate and Barrel through late December), but for most of the mall, it's over.

What's replacing it is a much bigger deal than a new shopping center. The site is being redeveloped into something called The Bend, a mixed-use project with a price tag north of $3 billion. Plans include retail, residential, and office space, and there's been serious talk about it becoming the new home for the Dallas Stars. Demolition on part of the property could start before the end of this year.

Here's why I'm paying attention, and why you should too if you own property in West Plano. When a dead mall gets replaced with a live, walkable district with housing, offices and a pro sports venue, the neighborhoods around it usually don't stay the same. We've watched this play out at Legacy West and The Star in Frisco. Home values near those projects didn't just hold, they climbed, because people want to live near where the action is.

If you're in a neighborhood that backs up to Willow Bend, this is worth a real conversation, not a guess. Redevelopment this size brings construction noise and traffic before it brings any upside, and the timeline stretches years, not months. But if you're thinking about buying in West Plano because you want to be close to whatever comes next, now, while it's still dirt and demo permits, is usually the cheapest it'll ever be to get in.

I grew up watching Plano grow from the outside in. This is one of the biggest shifts the city has seen in a decade, and I don't think most homeowners nearby fully realize what's coming.

If you're thinking about buying or selling a home in Plano, reach out to Christina Money. I'd be happy to help you understand what's happening in the market and what your options are.

FAQ:

Q: What is replacing Willow Bend Mall in Plano?
A: The Willow Bend site is being redeveloped into The Bend, a mixed-use district with retail, residential and office space, and a proposed venue that could become the new home of the Dallas Stars. The project is valued at more than $3 billion.

Q: When did Willow Bend Mall close?
A: Most tenants vacated by August 31, 2026. A few exceptions remain temporarily, including Neiman Marcus through January 2027 and Crate and Barrel through late December 2026.

Q: Will the Willow Bend redevelopment affect home values in Plano?
A: It's too early to know for certain, but comparable mixed-use, entertainment-anchored redevelopments in Collin County, like Legacy West and The Star in Frisco, have historically supported rising home values in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Q: When will demolition start at Willow Bend?
A: Demolition on part of the site could begin as early as the fourth quarter of 2026, according to local reporting.

 

 

 

SOURCE: D Magazine FrontBurner, "The Rise and Fall of Willow Bend Mall in Plano" (Sept 2026) — https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.dmagazine.com/frontburner/2026/09/willow-bend-mall-closed-plano/&source=gmail&ust=1789475435654000&sa=E