Koa Partners Greenlighted for Luxury Condo Highrise in Irving

A residential high-rise could soon replace a parking lot near The Ritz-Carlton hotel in Las Colinas, following a vote by the Irving City Council to change the land’s zoning designation.

The project, led by Irving-based developer Koa Partners, will deliver 89 high-end condominiums and a rooftop restaurant to a 6-acre site at 900 Byron Nelson Way, located behind a Tom Thumb grocery store, the Dallas Business Journal reported.

Pending construction permits and traffic studies, Koa Partners plans to start construction in the second half of next year, with completion targeted for 2027. The tower will be designed by the global architecture firm Perkins-Eastman.

The high-rise is part of the larger 400-acre Ritz-Carlton resort campus, which was purchased by Trinity Investments in 2022. Although the project’s costs and pricing details remain under wraps, Koa Partners CEO Harry Lake said the development could generate more than $205 million in tax revenue for the city over 25 years.

He described it as a “huge economic engine” for Irving and sees it as a potential competitor to luxury high-rise living in Uptown Dallas, 11 miles southwest in the city’s urban core.

“Is Irving ready for this? Is Irving ready to compete with Uptown Dallas, with what’s going on in Frisco?” Lake said. “Can we sustain a luxury high-rise living lifestyle? I say yes.”

The project reflects a broader trend of high-end development spilling into areas outside of Dallas proper. Las Colinas is a master-planned community within Irving that is known as the “headquarters of headquarters” because of its attractiveness to corporations. Although ExxonMobil moved its HQ from Las Colinas to Houston, it has attracted corporate campuses from heavy hitters like Wells Fargo. Heavy machinery maker Caterpillar and commodity trading software firm iRely recently expanded their office presences there.

The building’s design will pay tribute to legendary golfer and North Texas son Byron Nelson, with two distinct sections representing his 11 consecutive PGA wins and 18 total victories. A rooftop space dubbed the “19th hole” will offer dining and scenic views, adding to its appeal as a destination for residents and business travelers.

While some residents are optimistic that the project will attract businesses and enhance Irving’s appeal, others have voiced concerns about increased traffic, noise and the tower’s height. Lake said community input would be considered as the project moves forward.

“We believe it’s good for Irving, good for Las Colinas and good for the residents in the area,” he said.

— Andrew Terrell