Why AT&T's Plano Move Matters Right Now
AT&T just announced plans to consolidate its Dallas-area operations into a new 54-acre corporate campus in Plano's Legacy Drive corridor — taking over the former Electronic Data Systems (EDS) headquarters — and if you're tracking North Texas real estate, this is the kind of headline that changes how buyers think about commutes and home location.
Expected to begin in early 2028, AT&T's move to 5400 Legacy Drive signals more than a corporate relocation. It's a validation of Plano's 30-year positioning as the operational hub for Fortune 500 companies choosing the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex — and a reminder that when major employers shift thousands of jobs from downtown Dallas to suburban campuses, the calculus for where to buy a home shifts with it.
For buyers, sellers, and investors watching Dallas and North Dallas markets, this move confirms what we've been tracking: corporate campus decisions drive long-term property value, neighborhood stability, and quality of life.
The Big Picture: Corporate Consolidation Is Reshaping North Texas
AT&T isn't leaving Dallas — it's optimizing within the Metroplex.
According to Dallas Business Journal, AT&T will consolidate administrative teams currently spread across downtown Dallas, Plano, and Irving into one purpose-built campus at the former Electronic Data Systems (EDS) headquarters site. The 54-acre property, now owned by NexPoint, offers the scale, connectivity, and surrounding infrastructure AT&T needs for its next chapter.
The EDS connection is significant. EDS was one of the original corporate pioneers that put Plano on the map as a Fortune 500 destination in the 1980s and 1990s. AT&T's decision to revitalize this landmark site reinforces Plano's decades-long track record as a proven corporate hub.
This follows a broader national trend: hybrid work models and operational efficiency are driving corporate consolidation, not relocation out of regions. Companies are choosing fewer, better-equipped campuses over multiple disconnected offices.
North Texas remains one of the fastest-growing business regions in the country — AT&T's decision reinforces that momentum while clarifying which cities play which roles within the Metroplex ecosystem.
What This Means for Dallas Real Estate Markets
Plano's Real Estate Gets Another Boost
When a Fortune 50 company commits to a 54-acre campus, it doesn't just create jobs — it fundamentally changes the math for where employees choose to live.
Here's what shifts: Employees who previously commuted from North Dallas suburbs to downtown Dallas offices can now confidently buy homes in Plano, Frisco, McKinney, or surrounding areas — knowing their daily commute just became 15-20 minutes instead of 45-60 minutes.
This creates sustained demand for:
- Executive housing in Preston Hollow and North Dallas (still close to both Plano campuses and Dallas amenities)
- Family homes in Plano ISD boundaries (already among the state's top-rated districts)
- New construction in Frisco, McKinney, and surrounding suburbs
- Luxury rentals and townhomes near Legacy West and The Shops at Legacy
- Investment properties targeting professionals who can now justify suburban living with shorter work commutes
Plano's housing market has historically responded well to corporate arrivals. When companies like JPMorgan Chase, Toyota, and Liberty Mutual established major campuses, surrounding neighborhoods saw:
✅ Faster appreciation rates
✅ Lower days-on-market
✅ Stronger buyer demand across price points
AT&T's move — projected to consolidate thousands of employees — will likely reinforce these patterns, particularly in zip codes 75024, 75025 and 75093 (Legacy Drive corridor and adjacent neighborhoods), as well as neighboring suburban communities within a 15-minute commute radius.
Dallas Remains the Urban Core
AT&T's departure from downtown doesn't diminish Dallas — it clarifies its role.
Downtown Dallas, Uptown, and Knox-Henderson continue to serve as the Metroplex's cultural, lifestyle, and connectivity hub. Urban residential demand remains strong, particularly among:
- Young professionals prioritizing walkability and nightlife
- Empty nesters seeking lock-and-leave convenience
- Dual-income households with jobs in different parts of the Metroplex
- Investors targeting high-density rental markets
👉 Learn more about The Knox, one of Dallas' most anticipated mixed-use developments
The Metroplex works because it offers choice: urban centers for lifestyle, suburban campuses for operational scale. Buyers increasingly choose homes based on where they work and which environment fits their season of life — not rigid assumptions about city superiority.
For many AT&T employees, this shift may tip the scales toward suburban living with the confidence that comes from a manageable daily commute.
Key Details: The Numbers Behind AT&T's Plano Campus
Location: 5400 Legacy Drive, Plano, TX
Site History: Former Electronic Data Systems (EDS) headquarters — a landmark corporate campus that helped establish Plano as a Fortune 500 destination
Size: 54 acres
Timeline: Construction and consolidation expected to begin H1 2028
Current Operations: AT&T currently maintains offices across Central Dallas, Plano, and Irving
Plano's Corporate & Financial Services Ecosystem
AT&T joins an already-thriving corporate corridor:
- 140+ financial services companies employing over 50,000 people
- 3x the national average of financial services jobs (per Plano Economic Development)
- JPMorgan Chase: Grew from ~9,500 employees (2023) to 11,000+ (2025)
- Texas Stock Exchange (TXSE): Set to launch in 2026, with Plano positioned as a logical talent hub
👉 Explore Plano's corporate advantages
Workforce & Talent Pipeline
Plano ISD's new Career and Technical Education Center (opening 2026) will train students in finance, banking, and technology — ensuring the talent pipeline matches corporate demand.
This alignment between corporate growth and workforce development is one reason companies don't just arrive in Plano — they stay.
What This Means for Residents, Buyers, and Investors
For Current Plano Residents
Job Security & Diversity: AT&T's campus adds to an already-diversified employment base spanning financial services, technology, healthcare, and professional services. This diversity creates resilience during economic shifts.
Neighborhood Stability: Major employers invest in long-term infrastructure, which typically correlates with lower turnover, stronger schools, and sustained property values.
Lifestyle Amenities: Legacy Drive sits adjacent to Legacy West and The Shops at Legacy — two of North Texas' premier mixed-use destinations offering walkable dining, retail, hotels, fitness, and entertainment.
For Buyers Considering Plano and North Dallas Suburbs
The Commute Confidence Factor: If you work for AT&T or any of the dozens of major employers in Plano's corporate corridor, you can now buy a home in the suburbs with confidence that your commute will be manageable long-term. This is especially valuable for families who want:
- Top-rated school districts (Plano ISD, Frisco ISD, McKinney ISD)
- Larger homes and yards at better price points than urban Dallas
- Family-friendly neighborhoods with parks, trails, and community amenities
- Access to corporate jobs without sacrificing quality of life
Housing Diversity: Plano offers everything from established single-family neighborhoods to new-construction luxury homes, townhomes, and executive rentals. Whether you're planning to stay close to work or looking for long-term value, you'll find options across price points.
School Access: Plano ISD consistently ranks among Texas' top districts — a major factor for families who can now justify the suburban move knowing work is nearby.
Commute Flexibility: Legacy Drive offers easy access to Dallas North Tollway, Sam Rayburn Tollway (121), and George Bush Turnpike, keeping both downtown Dallas and DFW Airport within reach for dual-income households or occasional downtown needs.
For Real Estate Investors
Sustained Demand: Corporate campuses create predictable, long-term rental demand from:
- Professionals choosing suburban rentals over urban apartments due to work location
- Contract workers and consultants on temporary assignments
- Young families building equity before buying
- Employees relocating from other markets who want to rent before committing to a purchase
Appreciation Potential: Neighborhoods within 5–10 miles of major employers historically see faster appreciation than regional averages, particularly when companies consolidate operations rather than scatter them.
Diverse Rental Markets: From executive housing to mid-range family homes, Plano supports rental strategies across multiple price points — and the addition of thousands of AT&T employees strengthens demand across all segments.
Why This Move Reflects Plano's Long-Term Strength
Plano didn't become a corporate destination overnight.
The city began attracting Fortune 500 companies in the 1980s and 1990s — EDS being one of the original anchors — expanded steadily through the 2000s, and entered the 2020s with infrastructure, talent, and stability already in place.
AT&T's decision to take over and revitalize the former EDS headquarters isn't a trend — it's a continuation of a decades-long pattern:
✅ Companies choose Plano for scale and efficiency
✅ Employees choose Plano for schools, safety, and lifestyle
✅ Investors choose Plano for predictable returns and low volatility
Rather than reacting to short-term shifts, Plano has consistently evolved alongside corporate needs — making it one of the few North Texas cities with proven staying power through multiple economic cycles.
Final Thoughts: What Comes Next for North Dallas Real Estate
AT&T's relocation to Plano isn't about one city "winning" or another "losing." It's about how the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex functions as an integrated, multi-city ecosystem where different locations serve different roles.
For real estate, that means:
- Plano remains a corporate and family-focused suburban hub with jobs, schools, and lifestyle in close proximity
- Dallas remains the urban, cultural, and connectivity center for those who prioritize walkability and city living
- Buyers have more choice than ever about which environment fits their lifestyle, family needs, and daily commute
The key shift: Thousands of AT&T employees who once faced long commutes from suburban homes to downtown offices can now confidently choose suburban living without sacrificing career proximity. That confidence creates momentum in North Dallas real estate markets — and it's a trend worth watching.
If you're considering a move to Plano, North Dallas, or anywhere in the Metroplex, now is the time to understand how these corporate decisions shape neighborhoods, property values, and long-term opportunity.
🏡 Thinking About Buying, Selling, or Investing in North Dallas or Plano?
Whether you're looking to shorten your commute, right-size your home, or explore investment opportunities near major employers, we'd love to help you navigate the market with confidence.
Tiffany & Brandon Hawkins | Luxury Real Estate Advisors
The Hawkins Group at Douglas Elliman
📍 Specializing in Highland Park, University Park, Preston Hollow, North Dallas, Plano & Frisco
📱 Brandon: (214) 206-7778
📧 Email: [email protected]
📱 Tiffany: (972) 979-0978
📧 Email: [email protected]
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