The Legacy West development in Plano is easily one of the biggest stories in North Texas commercial real estate. The huge mixed-use development is bringing a lot of buzz and excitement to the area, and it is drawing major employers like Toyota and Boeing. Now its influence is even being felt by other nearby developments.

Austin Ranch is a master-planned community that was first developed nearly 20 years ago. The community of 4,300 homes is located only about a mile away from Legacy West, just south of State Highway 121, and west of the Dallas North Tollway. Thanks to the growth of Legacy West, Austin Ranch is seeing a resurgence as well.

When Austin Ranch was first developed in the late 1990s, it was considered a rather remote location. Surrounded by mesquite trees and country roads, it used to be a getaway from the city. Today, the area is booming, with major employers coming to the area. The sprawling Nebraska Furniture Mart was recently built just to the north of Austin Ranch. 

Austin Ranch still has room to grow, which is great news for people who want to live near Legacy West. Developer Lucy Billingsley told the Dallas Morning News that Austin Ranch still has the potential to have a total of up to 12,000 apartments. 

Construction is also beginning in Austin Ranch on the regional headquarters of international healthcare company AmerisourceBergen. The AmerisourceBergen campus will feature 30 acres that will house up to 3,000 workers. It is scheduled to open in 2018.

Austin Ranch is large enough that it spans across parts of Plano, Lewisville, Carrollton, and The Colony.