Grapevine’s City Council has approved a controversial zoning change that paves the way for a large multifamily and hotel development near Grapevine Mills mall, reversing an earlier decision and ending months of debate over the project’s future.

The proposal, led by Trammell Crow Co., a subsidiary of CBRE Group, includes multifamily housing units and a six-story hotel as part of a broader mixed-use plan on a nearly 29-acre site along Grapevine Mills Parkway.

Project includes apartments and Sandman Signature Hotel

The development will feature 248 multifamily residential units along with hotel facilities, including a six-story Sandman Signature Hotel with an on-site restaurant and additional future hotel sites planned.

The hotel brand is owned by Northland Properties, led by Dallas Stars owner Tom Gaglardi.

The site sits close to Grapevine Mills shopping center and is also influenced by nearby Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, where aircraft noise has shaped surrounding land use.

Initial denial followed by council reversal

The project initially faced resistance when Grapevine’s planning and zoning commission voted to deny the zoning request on May 19.

At the City Council level, a subsequent vote resulted in a 4-2 split in favor of the project, but it fell short of the five votes required to override the commission’s denial. With one council member absent during the initial vote and growing interest in revisiting the proposal, two council members pushed for reconsideration. The measure was reintroduced and ultimately approved on June 2.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram first reported the city’s change in position.

Debate over airport noise, housing demand, and city character

Supporters of the project cited the site’s proximity to DFW Airport and existing residential and commercial development as key reasons the area is more suitable for higher-density use.

Mayor William Tate defended the decision, noting that residential development is limited in the area due to airport noise restrictions.

“There are no homes in the area because of an airplane noise zone,” Tate said. He added that the developer is “a good applicant” and argued the property should be used for its highest and best purpose, pointing to nearby hotels and apartments as precedent. Opponents, including local residents, raised concerns that additional apartments could change Grapevine’s small-town identity and reduce the city’s character and long-term value.

Developer returns with revised plan after earlier rejection

Trammell Crow Co. had previously proposed developing the site in July 2024, but that version of the project was rejected by the City Council.

Following that setback, the company returned with revised plans, increasing parking capacity, adjusting the design, and reducing the number of multifamily units. Company representatives said they also worked more closely with city officials to address concerns about land use and design quality. Joel Behrens, market leader for the firm’s Dallas-Fort Worth office, acknowledged past shortcomings in the proposal process during council discussions.

“We could have done a better job of meeting with city officials,” Behrens said at a May meeting. He later added in June, “Some things take time to get done, and I hope this is one of those.”

Final approval moves project forward

After multiple hearings and revisions, Grapevine City Council ultimately approved the zoning change, allowing the mixed-use development to proceed.

The approval marks a significant step forward for Trammell Crow Co.’s long-running effort to redevelop the site near Grapevine Mills, turning a previously rejected concept into a council-approved project.