Uptown Dallas May Finally Get Its Central Market. Here's What the New Filing Actually Says.

If you've lived in Dallas long enough, you've probably heard this announcement before:

Central Market is coming to Uptown.

The grocery store has been discussed for years, but the former Albertsons property near McKinney and Lemmon avenues has remained vacant.

Now there's a significant new development.

A construction project registered with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation on October 5, 2026, identifies plans for Central Market at 3524 McKinney Avenue in Dallas.

The filing includes an estimated $47.5 million construction budget, a proposed March 2027 construction start and a September 2028 completion target. Texas DLR

Does that mean the store is opening in 2028?

Not necessarily.

But the new filing is meaningful progress for a project that has been discussed since the previous grocery store closed more than a decade ago.

And from a neighborhood perspective, there's an interesting story here about how Uptown Dallas continues to evolve.

Where Will the New Uptown Central Market Be Located?

The planned location is:

3524 McKinney Avenue
Dallas, TX 75204

The property sits near the intersection of McKinney and Lemmon avenues, close to the West Village area.

The former Albertsons location closed in 2015, and plans to redevelop the site have gone through multiple changes. Bizjournals

For residents familiar with Uptown, this is a prominent location along one of the neighborhood's main commercial corridors.

And it's an interesting example of redevelopment rather than simply building another shopping center on undeveloped land.

What Does the October 2026 Filing Confirm?

Here are the important details directly from the state construction record.

An important distinction: The 235,318-square-foot figure describes the reported construction scope, including alterations, additions, dining and parking components. It should not be described as 235,318 square feet of grocery-shopping space.

The filing describes renovations to an existing building, a new building component with second-floor public dining and administrative space, and attached two-tier parking. Texas DLR

That's a considerably more interesting project than simply placing grocery shelves inside the old Albertsons.

Where can you see the actual filing?

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation — Central Market Project Record

This is the primary source for the construction dates and project scope.

Why Has Uptown Waited So Long for Central Market?

The history helps explain why Dallas residents may be cautiously optimistic.

The former grocery property has been vacant since 2015.

Earlier proposals envisioned Central Market as part of a much larger mixed-use development with a high-rise component.

Those plans eventually changed.

In 2024, Central Market announced a revised concept centered on redeveloping the existing site rather than proceeding with the original tower proposal.

Then, in April 2026, Dallas City Council approved the project's site plan.

The new October construction filing adds another step toward potential construction. Bizjournals

The key point is that this is not a newly opened store.

It is a long-planned project that now has an updated proposed construction schedule.

What Will Be Inside the Uptown Central Market?

The current state filing identifies:

• Interior renovations to the existing building.
• A new building component.
• Second-floor public dining space.
• Administrative office space.
• An attached two-tier parking structure. Texas DLR

Earlier project announcements also discussed a cooking school that could function as a community room and a café area with space for live performances.

Those features were part of the previously announced concept, but I'd wait for updated plans from Central Market before treating every detail as final. Supermarket News

What makes this interesting is the possibility of a grocery destination that also functions as a place to meet, dine and participate in community activities.

That's especially relevant in a neighborhood like Uptown.

Why Does a Grocery Store Matter So Much in Uptown Dallas?

This is where the story becomes more than a construction announcement.

Uptown is one of Dallas's more pedestrian-oriented neighborhoods.

Residents can access restaurants, shopping, offices, parks and entertainment along a relatively compact urban corridor.

The neighborhood also benefits from the free M-Line Trolley, which connects Uptown with parts of Downtown Dallas, the Arts District and Klyde Warren Park. Uptown Dallas

A grocery store is different from a restaurant or entertainment venue.

It's part of everyday life.

Someone may visit a restaurant twice a month.

They may visit a grocery store several times a week.

That's why grocery access can be an important consideration when people compare neighborhoods.

For a buyer considering an Uptown condo or townhome, questions about grocery shopping, parking, transportation and walkability may matter just as much as the building's amenities.

Is Uptown Dallas Actually Walkable?

Compared with many North Texas communities, Uptown offers a more pedestrian-oriented lifestyle.

The neighborhood has sidewalks, restaurants, shops and public spaces that are relatively close together.

The free M-Line Trolley adds another transportation option.

Uptown Dallas Inc.'s transportation guide explains the neighborhood's walking, cycling and trolley connections.

However, walkability still depends on the specific address.

Two properties both advertised as being in Uptown may have very different access to groceries, restaurants, parks and transportation.

That's why I'd evaluate the exact location rather than relying entirely on the neighborhood name.

What Is It Like to Buy a Home in Uptown Dallas?

Uptown offers a different housing experience from McKinney, Frisco, Allen or most of suburban Plano.

Instead of focusing primarily on detached single-family homes, buyers may be comparing:

• High-rise condominiums.
• Mid-rise condominium buildings.
• Townhomes.
• Lock-and-leave properties.
• Buildings with shared amenities.
• Properties with structured or assigned parking.

And the financial considerations can be different too.

For example, a condo buyer may need to evaluate HOA assessments, building reserves, insurance responsibilities, parking arrangements and potential special assessments.

A townhome buyer may have different maintenance and ownership responsibilities.

The question isn't simply:

"Can I afford the purchase price?"

It's:

"What is the complete cost and experience of owning this particular property?"

That's the kind of analysis I want buyers to understand before they make an offer.

Will the New Central Market Increase Uptown Property Values?

It's a reasonable question, but I wouldn't make that prediction from a grocery-store announcement.

A major retail development can change neighborhood amenities and convenience.

That doesn't automatically translate into a measurable increase in the value of every nearby property.

A home's value still depends on factors including its location, condition, building, amenities, competing inventory and comparable sales.

And buyers may evaluate the same development differently.

One person may love being close to a major grocery destination.

Another may care more about traffic, parking or construction activity.

For someone considering a purchase near the site, I'd evaluate both the existing neighborhood and the proposed development—not assume the announcement guarantees future appreciation.

What Should Buyers Know About Construction Near Their Home?

This is another question worth asking before purchasing near a planned project.

If you're considering a property near McKinney and Lemmon, I'd want to understand:

What is there today?
The current site and surrounding businesses.

What has actually been approved?
The difference between a conceptual rendering, city approval and a registered construction project.

What is the proposed timeline?
The new filing targets construction beginning in March 2027, but that schedule can change.

How close is the property?
A home directly overlooking a construction site may have a different experience from one several blocks away.

What matters most to the buyer?
Walkability, convenience, parking, noise, outdoor space or access to transit.

These are property-specific questions, not reasons to rule out an entire neighborhood.

How Does Uptown Compare With Other Dallas Neighborhoods?

This is one of the things I find most interesting about helping people explore Dallas.

Uptown offers a more urban environment, with a concentration of condos, apartments, restaurants and commercial activity.

East Dallas neighborhoods around White Rock Lake offer a very different setting, including established residential streets, older homes, mature trees and access to the lake.

Neither is automatically the better choice.

They appeal to different preferences.

I recently explored that contrast in my guide to the White Rock Lake Artists' Studio Tour:

White Rock Lake Artists' Studio Tour 2026: Exploring East Dallas Neighborhoods

That article is a useful companion for someone comparing Dallas neighborhoods rather than simply choosing a ZIP code.

And for people interested in Dallas's broader food scene, my existing guide covers restaurants and dining destinations across several parts of the city:

Where to Eat During the World Cup in Dallas: A Local's Guide

Uptown Central Market FAQs

Is Central Market opening in Uptown Dallas?

A Central Market project is moving through the development process at 3524 McKinney Avenue. The new state filing identifies proposed construction dates, but the store is not open and a public opening date has not been confirmed. Texas DLR

When will construction begin?

The October 5 filing lists March 15, 2027, as the proposed start date. That is a target, not confirmation that construction has begun. Texas DLR

When is the store expected to open?

The filing lists September 13, 2028, as the proposed construction completion date. It does not establish an official retail opening date. Texas DLR

Where will it be located?

At 3524 McKinney Avenue, near Lemmon Avenue in Dallas.

Is the new store going to be 235,318 square feet?

That figure describes the total reported project scope, including building and parking components. It should not be interpreted as the size of the grocery sales floor. Texas DLR

Will the project include parking?

Yes. The current filing includes an attached two-tier parking structure. Texas DLR

Will the new store raise nearby home prices?

That cannot be established from the construction announcement alone. Any property-specific impact would need to be evaluated using actual market data.

A Final Thought From Michelle

I'm a lifelong North Texan and have called McKinney home since 1998.

One of the things I've enjoyed about watching Dallas-Fort Worth evolve is seeing how differently our communities grow.

Some neighborhoods expand outward with new residential development.

Others change through redevelopment, new businesses and improvements to existing commercial corridors.

Uptown's long-awaited Central Market is an interesting example of that second kind of growth.

And when I'm helping someone explore North Texas real estate, those changes are part of the conversation.

Because choosing a home means understanding not only the property, but also the neighborhood around it.

Michelle Gifford, REALTOR®
Real Broker | Sutton Realty Group
469-667-8468
Texas License #0780474