From Dallas Express · Dallas Express · · 2m
AT&T's $1.35 billion Plano HQ reaches final vote
The telecom giant's move from downtown Dallas to suburban Plano clears another hurdle Monday with a site-plan decision.
In brief
The telecom giant's move from downtown Dallas to suburban Plano clears another hurdle Monday with a site-plan decision. AT&T is moving its global headquarters from downtown Dallas to Plano, with a final site-plan vote Monday that could clear the way for construction to begin. Originally reported by Dallas Express.
AT&T's $1.35 billion move reaches key vote
Plano's Planning and Zoning Commission votes Monday on the final site plan for AT&T's new global headquarters at 5400 Legacy Drive, a major step toward construction.
The deal: 2 million square feet, 10,000 jobs
AT&T committed to occupying at least 2 million square feet of office and retail space and creating up to 10,000 full-time job equivalents by the end of 2039.
Campus design includes 2.3 million square feet
Preliminary plans show a multi-building campus with office buildings, parking structures, landscaped areas and a 280-foot sculptural communications structure.
Dallas Express tracked the move early
The Dallas Express reported AT&T was exploring suburban properties in August 2025, months before the company publicly confirmed it would leave downtown Dallas.
AT&T declined to answer questions for months
From August 2025 through December 2025, AT&T refused to clarify whether it planned to leave downtown Dallas despite repeated questions from the Dallas Express.
January 2026: the move becomes official
AT&T confirmed it would relocate its global headquarters from downtown Dallas to Plano, consolidating operations spread across Dallas, Plano and Irving.
CEO cited campus-style work environment
AT&T CEO John Stankey told employees the company expected partial occupancy of the new campus during the second half of 2028.
“the company expected to begin partial occupancy of the new campus during the second half of 2028”
Emails revealed crime and governance concerns
Records obtained by the Dallas Express showed CEO Stankey raised concerns about crime and governance with Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert in 2025, months before the relocation announcement.
EDS headquarters demolished in August
On August 9, crews imploded the former Electronic Data Systems headquarters at the property, clearing the way for AT&T's new campus construction.
Plano gains $1.35 billion in improvements
The relocation promises Plano at least $1.35 billion in property improvements and millions of square feet of development, while downtown Dallas loses a major corporate anchor.
Construction timeline: 2028 partial occupancy
Monday's site-plan approval would clear the way for construction, with AT&T targeting the second half of 2028 for initial occupancy of the new headquarters.
What it means
AT&T is moving its global headquarters from downtown Dallas to Plano, with a final site-plan vote Monday that could clear the way for construction to begin.
