Dallas architect to help develop vision of $1.5B Buffett-backed Grandscape

The development group behind the Warren Buffett-backed Grandscape development in The Colony has named Dallas-based Merriman Anderson/Architects to help with the design of the 433-acre mixed-use development.

The architecture firm was named architect-of-record for the Nebraska Furniture Mart-anchored project, which, upon completion, will total 3.9 million square feet of hospitality, entertainment, retail and residential space near the Sam Rayburn Tollway and Plano Parkway in The Colony. Show Full Story

Merriman Anderson Architects

The 100-acre centerpiece of Grandscape is expected to total 3.9 million-square-foot of retail, office, residential & entertainment space.

Merriman Anderson/Architects will work alongside Los Angeles-based HTH Architects and VCC Construction.

Grandscape is a "game-changing development," in North Texas, and will bring a new destination to the region that will impact it for years to come, said Jerry Merriman, the architecture firm's president and founder.

With an indoor racetrack and some of the first Texas locations for big-name retailers, Merriman said Grandscape will be a regional draw to residents and visitors seeking entertainment.

The development's close proximity less than two miles to Plano's Legacy West with employers such as Toyota North America, JPMorgan Chase, and Liberty Mutual Insurance will make Grandscape a residential destination too, he said.

To help with the expected influx of residents, Merriman said the development group is in the midst of designing two 14-story residential towers.

Other plans for the 100-acre lifestyle center (which is part of the multi-phase development in The Colony) include:

Previously announced anchors, North Dakota-based Scheels All Sports and Galaxy Theatres
Two new restaurants: Thirsty Lion Gastropub and Twigs Bistro & Martini Bar

In all, the lifestyle center could total 1.5 million square feet including the luxury high-rise apartment towers, office space on the second or third floor atop ground-floor retail space and plenty of retail space with entertainment venues.

The initial phase of the project is slated to open by the end of next year. Andretti Indoor Karting and Games is expected to open in 2019.

"With Grandscape, we want to create a place that will feel like no other with a pleasing environment through our leasing and tenant mix," said Grandscape President Jeff Lind in a recent interview. "We also want to give visitors a technological experience like they are sitting at home on a website.

"We want to bring in first in the state venues and stay true to the differentiated tenant mix," he added. "We are not approaching this like a typical developer. We have extremely patient capital and nothing has changed from our original vision."

Grandscape and Nebraska Furniture Mart is owned by Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A and BRK.B).

Merriman and his team is working with the Buffett family and other Grandscape executives on the design.