Planning officials have taken another step forward in transforming one of Plano’s most iconic corporate campuses: JCPenney.
On April 7, the Plano Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a preliminary site plan for new multifamily housing at The Park at Legacy — the massive redevelopment project replacing the former JCPenney headquarters at 6501 Legacy Drive.
What’s Planned
The recently approved site plan outlines two midrise apartment buildings slated for the north side of the property along Headquarters Drive. One of the buildings will rise to 25 stories, offering a high-rise living option within the development. Adjacent to it will be a two-story townhome structure with three units. Altogether, the plans cover nearly 665,000 square feet and propose 303 multifamily units.
These additions are part of a broader vision for The Park at Legacy, a 107-acre mixed-use development that aims to blend urban residential living with office, hospitality and retail spaces. At full buildout, the site will include up to 750 residential units, five office towers, a 250-room hotel, five townhomes and four restaurants.
Details And Phases
The residential aspect of the project will unfold in two major phases. The first phase includes the approved apartment units, two dog parks, 8.5 acres of open space, 1.5 miles of trails and a central courtyard. The second phase will add over 300 more units, a four-acre pond, the hotel and another 1.5 miles of trails. While construction dates have yet to be finalized, the approved site plan signals momentum behind the effort to reimagine the legacy corporate site into a dynamic community.
As Local Profile previously reported, just across the street from the residential plans, Toyota North America is helping shape the area’s future with the development of a new public green space. Approved by Plano City Council in late 2024, Mendomi Park will sit at the southeast corner of Legacy Drive and Headquarters Drive. In exchange for its support, Toyota will receive naming rights and influence over the park’s design and operations. The name “Mendomi” reflects a Japanese term meaning “taking care of workers like they are family.”
Looking Ahead
The redevelopment of the former JCPenney site represents a major investment in northwest Plano’s growth, turning a once-quiet corporate campus into a hub of activity and livability. With zoning approvals in hand and big names like Toyota involved, The Park at Legacy is steadily coming into view as a next-generation neighborhood for the city.
In the meantime, it may be up to three years before tenants move in. The design and permitting process is expected to take about a year, followed by an estimated two years of construction.
What’s Going On With JCPenney
JCPenney vacated its longtime headquarters at 6501 Legacy Drive in 2020 following its bankruptcy filing. Two years later, the retailer returned to a portion of the campus after Capital Commercial Investments completed renovations on the 32-year-old property. Today, JCPenney leases 320,000 square feet of space at the site.
JCPenney and SPARC Group recently joined forces to establish a new entity, Catalyst Brands. The move brings together a portfolio of iconic American fashion brands. The newly minted Catalyst Brands will be headquartered at JCPenney's current corporate location 6501 Legacy Dr, Plano.
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