By Aayush Gupta, Dallas Business Journal

Road extension jumpstarts new 1,800-acre mixed-use project in McKinney

A local developer has begun the first phase of a major 1,800-acre development in McKinney.

Republic Property Group Ltd. started work on a 3.8-mile road extension of Laud Howell Parkway to connect areas of McKinney north of U.S. 380, spanning from Exit 43 on Central Expressway to Lake Forest Drive, according to a recent announcement.

The expanded Laud Howell Parkway will serve as a major thoroughfare for the city and provide access to Wildwood, a planned mixed-use community with residential, commercial and office space. The extension is expected to be completed in late 2027.

Representatives at RPG told the Dallas Business Journal on Nov. 11 that additional details regarding the scope of the project will be released soon. The site covers the last major tract of land available for development in McKinney, according to the announcement.

Discussions about extending the parkway began more than a decade ago. The project is a collaboration between the city, RPG and the Jorba family. The site is owned by entities affiliated with Santiago Jorba, the founder of Creu Capital, a McKinney-based private equity real estate firm that develops and invests in large tracts of land. He is the son of Texas real estate investor Jaime Jorba Sr., who is also the co-founder of Bimbo Bakeries, according to the Dallas Morning News.

Overall, the development will bring new opportunities for grocery stores, restaurants, entertainment and other retail to McKinney, which continues to surge forward in its push to enhance quality of life for residents. Other major developments in the works include Cannon Beach, a surf lagoon-anchored mixed-use development; a $300 million amphitheater; an upcoming JW Marriott at Craig Ranch; and a new commercial terminal at McKinney National Airport.

The city’s population now stands at more than 200,000, with a median household income of nearly $120,000, according to the Census Reporter. McKinney sits within the booming Collin County, which ranks second in the country for raw population growth.

“Wildwood represents RPG’s commitment to innovative, people first development,” Co-CEO Jake Wagner said in a statement. “We’re grateful to the City of McKinney, council, and staff for their support as we work to bring much awaited access to north McKinney through infrastructure expansion and the Wildwood community.”

Republic Property Group has played a role in shaping several North Texas communities, including Light Farms in Celina, Walsh in Fort Worth and Phillips Creek Ranch in Frisco.

Link to Dallas Business Journal article here. Originally published November 12th, 2025.