Northlake, Texas, has quietly become one of the most watched communities in Denton County. With a low tax rate, major retail and recreation developments, and a school district that's growing in lockstep with its population, this town of roughly 12,000 residents is attracting serious attention from homebuyers, families, and investors across the DFW metroplex.
As the Broker of Covenant Heritage Realty with offices in Northlake, I'm in this community every day. I track the developments, talk to the builders, and watch how these changes impact home values and buyer demand in real time. Here's what you need to know about Northlake in 2026.
Children's Health StarCenter Multisport: A Game-Changer
The most significant new development in Northlake is the Children's Health StarCenter Multisport, a $45 million athletic facility that celebrated its grand opening on March 31, 2026. Developed through a partnership between the Dallas Stars and the Town of Northlake, the 225,000-square-foot complex features two NHL-regulation ice rinks and eight basketball courts convertible to 16 volleyball courts.
This is the 11th StarCenter location in the DFW metroplex, and the first in Denton County. The facility is designed to serve as the anchor of a larger sports and entertainment district at the I-35W and SH 114 interchange, with planned mixed-use development including restaurants, office space, and green space surrounding the complex.
What this means for residents: Families in Northlake and surrounding communities, Pecan Square, Harvest, Canyon Falls, and beyond, now have a world-class athletic facility minutes from home. Youth hockey, figure skating, basketball leagues, and volleyball programs are all active. For homebuyers evaluating master-planned communities, the presence of a major recreational anchor like the StarCenter is a significant quality-of-life advantage.
The StarCenter also includes the Shark Shack, a quick-service grab-and-go concept that opened April 14, 2026, with a full-service Shark Club Sports Bar & Grill, owned by Dallas Stars majority owner Tom Gaglardi, expected to open later this summer. For a community that has historically had limited dining and entertainment options, this is a meaningful addition.
Northlake Crossing: Retail Filling In
At the corner of Robson Ranch Road and Cleveland-Gibbs Road, the Northlake Crossing retail development has seen significant leasing activity through 2025 and into 2026. The center is split into east and west sections, with confirmed tenants including:
- CVS Pharmacy, serving as the anchor tenant at the adjacent Pecan Plaza development at FM 407 and Gibbs Road.
- Timekeepers Haus, a coffee and boba tea shop catering to the daily needs of Northlake and Pecan Square residents.
- Grapevine Golf Cars, a secondary location offering rentals, custom carts, and service.
- Star Physical Therapy, a healthcare service tenant supporting the active community.
By late 2025, portions of Northlake Crossing were reported as fully leased, with continued construction and final site delivery occurring through 2026. These retail additions are critical: Northlake residents have historically needed to drive to Argyle, Roanoke, or Trophy Club for everyday shopping. The gradual buildout of local retail is a strong signal that the community's infrastructure is catching up with its population.
FM 407 and I-35W: Road Improvement Projects
Traffic congestion along the FM 407 corridor is one of the most common concerns I hear from Northlake residents, and in 2026, meaningful steps are being taken to address it.
The FM 407 Micro Breakout at I-35W: Denton County approved a $2 million contract in January 2026 for a "micro-breakout" project at the FM 407 and I-35W interchange. Construction began in early 2026 and involves the installation of dedicated turn lanes and shifted guardrails to improve traffic flow at one of the area's busiest intersections. This is designed as an immediate congestion fix while the larger long-term widening project moves forward.
FM 407 Widening: TxDOT is pursuing an extensive project to widen FM 407 from a two-lane rural road into a six-lane urban divided corridor with pedestrian and bike accommodations, stretching from Bill Cook Road in Justin to FM 1830 in Argyle. Public hearings on the widening plan were held in early 2026. While the full buildout will take years, this infrastructure investment is essential for supporting the growth of Northlake and its neighboring communities.
Mulkey Lane and Gibbs Road: Phase-based improvements and lane expansions are also underway near Pecan Square, specifically at the Mulkey Lane and Gibbs Road intersection, to address increased traffic from the community's ongoing residential buildout.
Additionally, the Town of Northlake has allocated funding for FM 1171 (Cross Timbers Road) pavement and sidewalk repairs, improving connectivity and walkability for residents in the central part of town.
What homebuyers should know: These projects mean Northlake's road network is evolving from a rural character to suburban infrastructure. Construction will create temporary delays, but the long-term result is a safer, more efficient road system that supports continued growth and protects property values.
Barksdale Middle School: A Major Addition for Northwest ISD
Education is one of the top priorities for families relocating to Northlake, and Northwest ISD is responding to enrollment growth with a significant new facility.
Floyd Barksdale Middle School, located in Northlake near the Pecan Square community, is scheduled to open in August 2026 for the 2026 to 2027 school year. The school will serve grades 6 to 8 and has been led by inaugural principal Michelle Jennings. The mascot is the Broncos, with school colors of gold and white and dark gray as a secondary color.
For families with middle-school-age children living in Pecan Square, Harvest, or Canyon Falls, this new school eliminates what has been one of the longest commute distances within the Northwest ISD boundaries. Having a quality middle school directly in the Northlake community is a significant factor in both quality of life and long-term home values.
Northwest ISD continues to rank among the top-performing districts in the region, and the opening of Barksdale Middle School is a proactive investment that reflects the district's commitment to managing growth while maintaining educational quality.
Pecan Square: Continued Growth and Half-Acre Lots
Pecan Square, the 1,200-acre Hillwood master-planned community that has put Northlake on the map, continues its mid-phase buildout in 2026. With a planned total of approximately 3,100 homes at full build-out, the community remains one of the most active new-construction markets in Denton County.
A notable recent development: Pecan Square released rare half-acre homesites, larger lots that offer more space and privacy than the standard suburban footprint. For buyers seeking room to grow in a community with established amenities, this is an opportunity that doesn't come along often in master-planned communities this close to the metroplex.
Active builders in the community include:
- David Weekley Homes, offering Classics, Gardens, and Estates collections
- Coventry Homes
- D.R. Horton
- Highland Homes
- Pulte Homes
Community amenities like The Greeting House (the community's social hub) and The Arena (an outdoor event space) continue to anchor the Pecan Square lifestyle. The addition of Barksdale Middle School within the community's footprint adds a critical piece of the puzzle for families who want a complete live-play-learn environment.
Town Budget, Property Taxes, and the "Northlake Next" Plan
Northlake's fiscal position is one of its strongest selling points. The Town adopted a $12.2 million budget for fiscal year 2025 to 2026, with a slight surplus. More importantly, Northlake maintained its property tax rate at $0.295 per $100 of assessed valuation, officials have noted this as the lowest tax rate among home-rule municipalities in North Texas.
For homebuyers comparing Northlake to communities in Southlake, Flower Mound, or Prosper, that tax rate is a significant financial advantage. On a $500,000 home, the difference between Northlake's tax rate and a community charging $0.50 per $100 could mean over $1,000 in annual savings, and that compounds meaningfully over the life of a mortgage.
The Town's long-term vision is guided by the "Northlake Next" 2045 Comprehensive Plan, a forward-looking framework that addresses land use, infrastructure, parks, economic development, and transportation over the next two decades. The plan is accompanied by a five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) that prioritizes the projects most critical to supporting Northlake's growth.
Sports and Entertainment District: What's Next
The area around I-35W and SH 114 is being positioned as a sports and entertainment hub for the northern DFW metroplex. Beyond the StarCenter, the planned mixed-use development surrounding the facility includes:
- Cambria Hotel, a full-service hotel catering to families visiting for tournaments, relocating buyers, and business travelers.
- Conference Center, designed to host events, tournaments, and community gatherings.
- Mixed-Use Green Space and Restaurants, creating a walkable district that goes beyond sports to offer dining, entertainment, and community gathering spaces.
This district has the potential to transform the I-35W corridor from a pass-through highway into a destination, and for Northlake homeowners, that's a meaningful driver of long-term desirability and property appreciation.
Northlake Business Park
For those following the economic development picture, the Northlake Business Park continues to deliver new industrial and flex-space options, with new phases expected throughout 2026. The park is attracting businesses that want proximity to the AllianceTexas corridor and I-35W without the higher costs of neighboring communities, and those jobs translate directly into housing demand.
What This Means for Homebuyers and Sellers
Northlake's trajectory in 2026 is clear: this is a community transitioning from a quiet Denton County town into a fully realized suburban hub with the infrastructure, amenities, and economic drivers to support sustained demand.
For buyers, Northlake offers a rare combination: the lowest property tax rate among home-rule municipalities in North Texas, award-winning master-planned communities like Pecan Square and Harvest, a brand-new middle school, a $45 million sports complex, and improving retail and road infrastructure, all at price points that remain more accessible than comparable communities in Southlake or Prosper.
For sellers, these developments are working in your favor. Buyers relocating to North Texas are increasingly aware of Northlake, and the community's improving amenities and low tax burden make it one of the strongest value propositions in Denton County. If you've been waiting for the right moment to list, the momentum behind Northlake is real.
Work With a Northlake Expert
I'm the Broker of Covenant Heritage Realty, and Northlake is one of my core markets. My office is here. I track every development, every builder, every road project, and every school update, because my clients need someone who understands the local dynamics at a granular level, not just what the MLS says.
Whether you're buying a new-construction home in Pecan Square, evaluating resale opportunities, preparing to sell, or simply trying to understand how these changes affect your property value, I can help. Let's talk about what's happening in Northlake and how it impacts your real estate goals.
Theresa is the Broker of Covenant Heritage Realty, serving sellers, buyers, and military families throughout the Dallas to Fort Worth metroplex and Central Florida. With 18+ years of experience and deep expertise in Denton County communities including Northlake, she provides strategic, data-driven real estate guidance.