Dodson Commercial Real Estate
An artist's rendering of the next phase of Downtown Arlington's Urban Union.
Dodson Commercial Real Estate announced on Thursday its plans for what it calls its most ambitious expansion of Downtown Arlington's Urban Union district.
The next phase of development will span 50,000-square feet along Front Street, encompassing five new mixed-used buildings to house restaurants, retail shops, and apartments, the company said in a news release.
The addition will expand the district to the west along Front Street, connecting it to the Vandergriff Town Center — in total, five city blocks.
Dodson also announced that public accounting firm Sutton Frost Cary LLP will be relocating to a 21,000-square foot office building in the Urban Front addition at the southeast corner of Front and Mesquite streets.
Officials are calling this part of the development the “first newly built office building of this scale in the heart of the city in decades.”
The official groundbreaking ceremony to mark the project's launch will be at 2 p.m. on Dec. 15 and include remarks by Mayor Pro Tem Victoria Farrar-Myers. A reception will follow.
“The 50,000 square foot addition is the next step in our vision for the Urban Union district,” said Ryan Dodson, managing partner of Dodson Commercial Real Estate. “It will continue the theme of a walkable downtown Arlington full of vibrant, locally owned business.
“Downtown Arlington is truly becoming a live, work, play district. We're happy to play a role in its renaissance.”
The first tenants of the Urban Union opened their doors in 2016. The Urban Union is currently at approximately 88,000 square feet. At full buildout, the development is expected to include about 145,000 square feet over eight acres.
Sutton Frost Cary will occupy the 11,000-square foot second story of the new office building with the remaining footprint available to rent for other professional offices or restaurant concepts.
Joining the accounting firm as new occupants of the addition will be Spiral Diner, Doughboy Donuts, Cow Tipping Creamery, and Coop’s Fowl Ball, a sports bar concept with “family friendly menu,” officials said. Twenty-four loft apartment units are also planned on the second and third floors.
“We have proudly been in business for more than 30 years. Our company has experienced significant growth over recent years resulting in a team of 50 individuals. We need a space built for our current operations and space for our continued growth,” said Sutton Frost Cary partner Paul Cary. “Sutton Frost Cary is excited to be joining the efforts of Dodson CRE and the other businesses and individuals investing in the revitalization of downtown Arlington and, more specifically, the Urban Union and Urban Front community.”