(Candy’s Dirt) — Centuries of running water formed three sandstone ledges on land southwest of Denton. The knob is capped by dark brown arenaceous ironstone. From a distance, the ledges resembled a ship’s lookout, which earned the landmark the name Pilot Knob.
Over time, the 900-foot natural protrusion — one of the highest points in north central Texas — was used as a lookout station or signal point by members of the Caddo Indian confederacy, Spanish and American pioneers, and later by the Texas Rangers. In the 1870s, it was a hideout for the outlaw Sam Bass. In the 1890s, it became a popular picnic stop for family outings, according to the Texas State Historical Association.
Now, it will be the featured landmark for Hillwood’s first development in Denton. In fact, it’s named Landmark by Hilton.
When completed, Landmark will be a 3,200-acre, mixed-use project from Dallas-based Hillwood Communities and Fort Worth-based Hillwood Properties. The project was announced in 2022.
Hillwood’s Collaboration With Denton
Situated at Interstate 35W and Robson Ranch Road, the property is one of the original land holdings purchased by the Perot family in 1987.
Landmark is scheduled to break ground in September with 747 single-family lots in the first phase. Nine builders will offer plans in various sizes, designs, and price ranges. Expect models to open in spring 2026. Commercial planning and leasing are already underway.
In a release, Andrew Pieper, Hillwood Communities vice president and residential project manager for Landmark, said it was important for Hillwood to collaborate with Denton.
“We let nature guide all planning with the city to protect environmentally sensitive areas while bringing needed housing, schools, employment, shopping, dining, entertainment, and outdoor recreation to the city,” he said.
Approximately 1,000 acres will be left open because of the knobs and the drainage features.
How will Hillwood incorporate Pilot Knob with the development? Western-themed amusement park? Old West re-enactments with bank robbers?
The temptation is certainly there, but Hillwood said structures can’t be built on the formation. However, the geological features will still be a part of the development’s identity thanks to conservation easements. Hillwood plans to incorporate the knob and Post Oak trees that were once part of the Cross Timbers region into an interconnected trail system.
To make it less fun than a bank robber’s hideout, Hillwood also plans a series of learning parks to promote nature education and engagement. The parks will be open to schools in the North Texas region and extend science, technology, engineering, art, and math learning for existing and future on-site Denton ISD schools and neighboring school districts.
Landmark will have over 5 million square feet of commercial, mixed-use space and more than 3,000 multifamily units fronting five-plus miles of I-35W. The master plan will integrate retail, dining, office, entertainment, hospitality, and healthcare.
Hillwood aims for Landmark to be a “city-in-a-city.”
“I think we have to try, sometimes too hard in Texas, to create [really cool spaces],” Kimberly Cole, Hillwood Properties VP, and Landmark’s commercial project manager, said in the release. “At Landmark, you’re just going to walk out and experience that space. … There’s no place in North Texas you can have this type of experience.”