Buddy Cramer, one of the founders of Uptown Dallas beer garden and restaurant Katy Trail Ice House, is partnering with real estate broker Newt Walker and Dallas investor Ray Washburne to develop a mixed-use project in Allen.
The 10-acre project, located on the south side of State Highway 121 near Exchange Parkway, has been in the works for some time. Cramer has dedicated five years to its actualization, and has had the land under contract on three occasions.
The development’s potential has captured the imagination of the investors. Currently, the plan for the area includes office buildings and another Ice House bar and grill.
The partners are working on a concept that would dedicate a portion of the land to one or two office buildings totaling 150,000 square feet, and allocate the rest of the site to an Allen version of the Katy Trail Ice House.
“It’s going to be an ice house on 6 acres and a 4-acre office site,” Cramer said of the S.H. 121 property.
Cramer revealed that the creek that runs through Craig Ranch’s golf club and Twin Creeks also runs through the site.
“It’s spring-fed with big limestone walls,” he said.
According to The Dallas Morning News, the project has gained support from Allen economic development officials and has received the green light.
CEO of the Allen Economic Development Corp., Dan Bowman, said the city is focused on bringing entertainment to Highway 121.
“We are all about creating something new and different,” Bowman added.
Bowman revealed that the City is working with the developers to connect the entertainment site and the office to Allen’s trail system.
The original Katy Trail Ice House establishment, located in Dallas, is so-named because it overlooks the Katy Trail. It remains to be seen if Allen’s future Ice House installment will be named for its trail view as well.