As would be expected, it's been a mix of trials and triumphs as the Dallas-based developer assembled 400 acres at the junction of Stacy Road and US Hwy. 75 in two suburban cities for one of the largest mixed-use projects now being built in the US. Gar Herring, president of the development group, tells GlobeSt.com that the biggest challenge was revising the master plan after construction started in March 2007 when Minneapolis-based Target Corp. put in its dibs for a spot in the line-up. And his top accomplishment was a complex agreement with Phoenix-based Global Entertainment Corp. and the city for the $52.6-million Allen Events Center.

The all-star retail cast is using the dual projects as springboards for prototype stores and the largest formats in their line-ups. "They are putting their best foot forward to be creative and make showcase stores," Herring says. "Almost every major retailer we worked with has come back to do their largest prototype or No. 1 prototype."

Target's largest format store will open in March 2009. Macy's plans to build a 120,000-sf store and Dillard's will add a 200,000-sf box. The next groundbreaking is Oct. 23 when JC Penney Co. starts its first LEED-certified design--a 110,000-sf store in the Village at Fairview.