Dodson Commercial Real Estate broke ground Wednesday on a mixed-use development that will bring new restaurants, retail, apartments and offices to Front Street in Downtown Arlington.

The project is an expansion of Dodson Commercial Real Estate’s Urban Union district, which opened in 2016 and is home to locations such as Sugar Bee Sweets Bakery, Legal Draft Beer Co., Cane Rosso, Hurtado Barbecue and 4 Kahunas Tiki Lounge. The addition of five multi-story buildings will expand the Urban Union district to the west, connecting it to the Vandergriff Town Center and creating five city blocks of walkable, Downtown charm, the developer said. Construction is set to be complete in early 2023.

"The redevelopment of Front Street in Downtown Arlington has been such a fun and rewarding experience for our company. The 50,000-square-foot addition is the next step in our vision for the Urban Union district. It will continue the theme of a walkable downtown Arlington full of vibrant, locally owned business,” said Ryan Dodson, Dodson Commercial Real Estate managing partner.

Arlington accounting firm Sutton Frost Cary LLP also announced it will relocate its headquarters to the new development. The news of the relocation is a significant move for Downtown Arlington as it marks the first newly built office building of this scale in the heart of the city in decades, Dodson said.

“One of our favorite components of the project is our partnership with local public accounting firm Sutton Frost Cary LLP and the ability to relocate their company Headquarters to the district,” Dodson said. “Downtown Arlington is truly becoming a live, work, play district -- we're happy to play a role in its renaissance."

The Urban Union expansion along Front Street is also expected to include Spiral Diner, Doughboy Donuts, Cow Tipping Creamery, and Coop’s Fowl Ball, a sports bar concept with a family friendly menu. In addition to street-level retail, shops, restaurants, and offices, the expansion also features 24 loft apartment units on the second and third floors.

Dodson, who grew up in Arlington and opened his office in Downtown, said the heart of the city continues to transform into a great place for entrepreneurs to open their own businesses, for urban apartment living, and for locals and visitors alike to eat, shop, and enjoy entertainment.

“What I say to people is not only does Arlington have a Downtown, but it is situated halfway between a world-class Entertainment District, with the stadiums and the ballpark and Six Flags, and a world-class university,” Dodson said. “You can walk to either one of those places from Downtown Arlington. I just think the sky’s the limit. I think there is going to be more offices being built, more people moving down here, more restaurants, and more locally owned businesses.”

Click here to learn more about Ryan Dodson's American Dream story. 

 Dodson’s vision for Downtown is what helped convince Sutton Frost Cary LLP to relocate into a future two-story office building at the southeast corner of Front and Mesquite streets. The firm’s headquarters will occupy the 11,000-square-foot, second story with the remaining footprint available to rent for other professional offices or restaurant concepts seeking to do business in the Urban Union district.

 "We have proudly been in business for more than 30 years. Our company has experienced significant growth over recent years resulting in a team of 50 individuals. We need a space built for our current operations and space for our continued growth,” Sutton Frost Cary Partner Paul Cary said about the relocation. “Sutton Frost Cary LLP is excited to be joining the efforts of Dodson CRE and the other businesses and individuals investing in the revitalization of Downtown Arlington.”