Dallas Neighborhood Sees New High-Rise After Tragic Condo Fire

The Preston Place Condominiums site is now home to an apartment building, marking the end of uncertainty and a new phase of development.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 5:07pm

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In 2017, a devastating fire destroyed the Preston Place Condominiums in Dallas, killing one resident and displacing over 100 others. The site, located at the corner of Preston Road and Northwest Highway, has now been redeveloped into a high-rise apartment building, signaling the end of a chapter of uncertainty for the neighborhood and the potential start of a new phase of development in the area.

Why it matters

The Preston Place fire and subsequent redevelopment of the site have been part of a larger zoning debate in the Preston Hollow neighborhood of Dallas. The area has been undergoing changes as the city looks to encourage redevelopment to address aging infrastructure, which has drawn both support and vocal opposition from local residents.

The details

The Preston Place Condominiums, a three-story complex, was destroyed in a seven-alarm fire on March 3, 2017 that killed one resident and sent two others to the hospital. The fire displaced over 100 residents. The site, located behind the Pink Wall in the Preston Hollow area, had been the subject of discussion about what could rise in its place. This became part of a larger debate around Planned Development No. 15, a 12.6-acre area that was home to several condo properties as well as the Preston Tower and The Athena. In 2019, the City Plan Commission approved changes to PD-15 that would allow for greater height and density in the area, drawing opposition from some local residents.

  • The Preston Place Condominiums fire occurred on March 3, 2017.
  • In 2019, the City Plan Commission approved changes to Planned Development No. 15 to allow for greater height and density in the area.

The players

Dallas Fire-Rescue

The fire department that responded to the Preston Place Condominiums fire in 2017.

Citizens Advocating Responsible Development

A group of local residents that formed to oppose the changes to Planned Development No. 15 that would allow for greater height and density in the Preston Hollow neighborhood.

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The takeaway

The redevelopment of the Preston Place Condominiums site highlights the ongoing tensions between the city's desire for growth and density, and the concerns of local residents about preserving the character of their neighborhood. As Dallas continues to evolve, finding the right balance between development and community priorities will be an important challenge.