Most people drive through Alliance Texas on I-35W without realizing they're passing through one of the most successful master-planned developments in the country. Here are the 5 things actively shaping North Texas—and why you should care.
If you've ever driven between Fort Worth and Denton on Interstate 35W, you've passed through Alliance Texas. Maybe you noticed the airport. Maybe you saw some warehouses. Maybe you didn't notice anything at all.
But here's what you probably didn't realize: you just drove through a $130 billion economic powerhouse that's been 40 years in the making.
Alliance Texas isn't just another suburb. It's a carefully orchestrated vision that started in 1987 when the Perot family acquired 27,000 acres of ranchland in north Fort Worth. What they built became one of the nation's most successful public-private partnerships—and it's still growing.
Most locals have no idea what's happening here. That's exactly why Alliance Network exists.
We live here. We know here. And we're documenting the next chapter.
Here are the 5 things actively shaping North Texas right now—and you've probably never heard of #3 and #4.
1. Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport
One of the nation's top inland ports, anchoring the AllianceTexas Development: 27,000 acres with 590 companies and 66,269 jobs
When Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport opened on December 14, 1989, it made history as the world's first airport designed specifically for industrial use. No passenger terminals. No scheduled commercial flights. Just cargo, corporate jets, and logistics.
Today, it's one of the nation's top inland ports—a critical hub connecting air, rail, and ground transportation. FedEx operates a Southwest Regional Sort Hub here. Amazon Air has a major cargo hub. Embraer and Gulfstream have maintenance facilities on-site.
But the airport's real impact isn't just what happens on the runways—it's what the airport made possible around it.
The 27,000-acre AllianceTexas development anchored by this airport is now home to 590 companies generating 66,269 direct jobs. That's not a typo. Over 66,000 jobs in an area that was ranchland 35 years ago.
Companies like Charles Schwab, Meta (Facebook), BNSF Railway, Deloitte, UPS, and Fidelity Investments have established major operations here. These aren't small satellite offices—many are global headquarters and regional hubs.
The airport's runway can accommodate the world's largest cargo planes. The BNSF Railway intermodal facility sits adjacent to the airport, creating seamless rail-to-air connectivity. Highway access via I-35W connects everything.
This is what a true logistics hub looks like—and it's why AllianceTexas has generated $130 billion in cumulative economic impact for North Texas since 1989.
2. Circle T Ranch
A unique blend of ranchland, parkland and architecture making it one of the premier corporate addresses in the nation
While most corporate parks are sterile office complexes surrounded by parking lots, Circle T Ranch took a completely different approach.
This isn't just a corporate campus—it's a 13,000-acre blend of working ranchland, preserved parkland, and world-class architecture that creates one of the premier corporate addresses in the nation.
The Perot family didn't pave over the land. They designed around it.
Circle T Ranch maintains the character of Texas ranchland while providing state-of-the-art corporate facilities. Companies locating here aren't just getting office space—they're getting an environment that attracts and retains top talent.
The architecture integrates with the landscape. The parkland is preserved and maintained. Cattle still graze on portions of the ranch. It's corporate headquarters meets Texas heritage.
This approach to development is exactly what makes AllianceTexas different from every other industrial park in the country. They're not just building—they're building with intention.
3. SGS Studios
Largest production campus in Texas: 450,000 SF studio facility
Here's one most people definitely don't know: North Texas has its own Hollywood.
SGS Studios is the largest production campus in Texas, featuring a 450,000-square-foot studio facility at AllianceTexas. This isn't a small operation—it's a full-scale film and television production hub bringing the entertainment industry to DFW.
While Austin has historically been Texas's film production center, SGS Studios is positioning the Alliance corridor as a serious competitor. The facility includes multiple sound stages, production offices, post-production capabilities, and all the infrastructure needed for major film and television projects.
Why does this matter for North Texas?
Film production creates high-paying jobs. It attracts creative talent. It diversifies the regional economy beyond logistics and corporate headquarters. And it's another example of AllianceTexas thinking beyond traditional industrial development.
The entertainment industry has discovered what the Perot family knew 40 years ago: this corridor has everything needed to support major operations—infrastructure, workforce, business-friendly environment, and strategic location.
4. Mobility Innovation Zone
A more productive, sustainable logistics hub called AllianceTexas Smart Port
If you're not in logistics or supply chain management, you've probably never heard of the Mobility Innovation Zone. But it's quietly revolutionizing how goods move through North Texas.
The AllianceTexas Smart Port is building a more productive, sustainable logistics hub by integrating autonomous vehicles, drone delivery, and next-generation supply chain technology.
This isn't science fiction—it's happening now.
Gatik, a leader in autonomous middle-mile logistics, operates at the Mobility Innovation Zone. Manna, Europe's leading drone delivery company, announced its U.S. entry here. Companies are testing and commercializing technologies that will define the future of logistics.
Why AllianceTexas?
Because you need three things to test autonomous logistics: infrastructure, space, and permission. AllianceTexas has all three.
The Mobility Innovation Zone provides controlled environments where companies can test autonomous trucks, delivery drones, and supply chain innovations before deploying them nationally. It's a real-world laboratory with actual cargo moving through actual supply chains.
In 2024, Hillwood secured an $80 million federal INFRA grant as part of a $262 million public-private partnership to double activity at the inland port. The project is designed to make AllianceTexas a model for next-generation logistics hubs.
This is where the future of supply chain happens first.
5. Landmark by Hillwood
Denton's first master-planned community: $10B development, 6,000 homes, 20,000+ new residents
For 35 years, AllianceTexas was all about jobs, logistics, and corporate headquarters. But one thing was missing: homes.
Enter Landmark by Hillwood—Denton's first master-planned community and a $10 billion development that will bring 6,000 homes and over 20,000 new residents to the Alliance corridor.
We've covered Landmark extensively on Alliance Network because it represents the final piece of the AllianceTexas puzzle. You can work here. You can build your business here. And now, you can live here too.
Landmark isn't just suburban sprawl. It's a "city within a city" featuring:
- 3,200 acres at full buildout
- 6,000 single-family homes plus 3,000 apartments
- Denton's first H-E-B (breaking ground now)
- 1,100 acres of preserved parkland (one of the largest natural preserves in Texas)
- Pilot Knob—the highest point in Denton—permanently protected
- Phase 1: 747 home sites from 9 builders starting mid-$400s
What makes Landmark different? Hillwood requires owner-occupancy. No Wall Street investors buying up inventory. This is designed for people building a life in the Alliance corridor, not just portfolio returns.
And the timing? Highland Homes is already taking reservations for December 2025. Model homes open Spring 2026. First move-ins Summer 2026.
If you understand what Alliance represents, if you see where Denton is headed, and you're serious about this corridor, Landmark's Phase 1 represents early positioning in a $10 billion development before the market fully catches up.
Why This Matters
Here's the bigger picture: Alliance Texas isn't just growing—it's evolving.
What started as: An industrial airport and logistics hub
What it's becoming: A complete economic ecosystem with jobs, corporate headquarters, entertainment production, cutting-edge logistics innovation, and now residential communities
The Perot family's 40-year vision is playing out exactly as planned. But here's what most people miss: the best opportunities in this corridor have always come to those who understood what was happening before everyone else figured it out.
In 1989, buying property near a "cargo airport" in the middle of nowhere seemed crazy. Today, that area generates $130 billion in economic impact.
In 2025, Landmark Phase 1 might seem early. In 2035, it will seem obvious.
Alliance Network: We Live Here. We Know Here.
Most media coverage of Alliance Texas comes from reporters who drive in, interview someone, and leave. They get the press release version.
Alliance Network is different. We live in this corridor. We work in this corridor. We're documenting the developments, analyzing the opportunities, and providing local market intelligence you won't find anywhere else.
From Landmark by Hillwood to SGS Studios to the Mobility Innovation Zone, we're covering the stories shaping North Texas—including the ones most people have never heard of.
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About Alliance Network
Alliance Network is your source for local market intelligence on the Alliance Texas corridor. We cover major developments like Landmark by Hillwood, economic growth, infrastructure projects, and real estate opportunities across Denton, Argyle, Northlake, Justin, and the entire 27,000-acre AllianceTexas development.
We live here. We know here.
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Alliance Network is a content brand of Miranda Realty Team. Real estate services provided by Miranda Realty Team, licensed in Texas. For real estate assistance in Denton, Argyle, Northlake, Justin, or throughout the Alliance corridor, contact the Miranda Realty Team.
