First Phase of $30 Million Renovation at Arlington Highlands Complete

Published on April 08, 2025

By Arlington Highlands Communication

Fairbourne Properties and AEW Capital Management have announced the completion of the first phase of its $30 million investment in the renovation of Arlington Highlands, a 714,935-square-foot open-air shopping center at the northeast corner of Interstate 20 and Matlock Road in Arlington. 

Fairbourne and AEW bought Arlington Highlands in 2011 from Retail Connection and Dallas-based Mathis family, who developed the shopping center between 2007 and 2009. Today, Arlington Highlands boasts more than 30 restaurants, as well as retail and specialty shops, entertainment venues, and other community staples including the nation’s only remaining Black-Eyed Pea. The shopping center’s combined 116 retailers attract 600,000 to 800,000 visitors per month.

The partners have contracted Dallas-based SHOP Companies as the leasing company to add to the retailer base at Arlington Highlands. Already SHOP has brought Kendra Scott and Pottery Barn Outlet to the center, which open their doors in Arlington Highlands in March 2025. Additionally, Color Me Mine paint-your-own- pottery studio will open late spring 2025.

“We’re thrilled to open our Kendra Scott Arlington Highlands Shopping Center location. Dallas and the surrounding areas have been such an integral part of Kendra’s story and our brand story—a city that feels like home away from home for us,” said Tom Nolan, CEO of Kendra Scott. “Over the past 23 years, we’ve had the privilege of expanding across the city, and places like Arlington have been a key part of that growth. 

From our sports partnerships with the Dallas Cowboys to the Texas Rangers, we’re excited to bring more personalization and product offerings to our customers in the area, and we’re thrilled to call Arlington home for it.” 

Phase 1 of the Arlington Highlands renovation focused on bringing walkability, beauty, and a community gathering space to the center. Construction fences came down April 1 to reveal the new, family-friendly, 48,000-square-foot public park space featuring its first wave of amenities:

• Thickly padded turf grounds and perennial landscaping intentionally designed to preserve the 17 existing 40- to 60-foot trees, 

• Meandering pathways that connect the retail quads anchored by Kendra Scott, Lululemon, Gloria’s Latin Cuisine, and Studio Movie Grill, 

• 35,000 total square feet of overhead Tokistar lighting, featuring a denser, 5,500-square-foot canopy of 3,500 lights directly over the park space, 

• 1,100 linear feet of bench wall seating and covered seating areas, 

• A powered, canopied stage for future community events and concerts, 

• A series of free-to-the-public, seasonal events in the park with themes that change each time. The first event, “MOM-umental at Arlington Highlands,” is May 10, the day before Mother’s Day. Families can begin celebrating Mom early by making flower arrangements, stopping by various pampering stations, and enjoying live music by Ruel Thomas, balloon artists, and more. Check Arlington Highlands’ Facebook and Instagram pages for updates as details are confirmed.

Phase 2 of the renovation is expected to be complete by the end of 2025. When done, it will feature new wayfinding signage, additional family-friendly park amenities, and property upgrades for existing and future Arlington Highlands retailers. 

“Arlington Highlands is a best-in-class shopping center in the vibrant city of Arlington, in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and among others in our portfolio nationwide,“ says David Harvey, Fairbourne Properties president and managing director. “Fairbourne is proud to be an investor in the growth of Dallas-Fort Worth, and in Arlington Highlands specifically.”

Arlington Highlands photo credits: Anna Reid