The land that once represented Ross Perot’s vision of innovation is now poised to anchor another era of corporate growth in Plano.
PLANO, Texas — It is not just any piece of land that AT&T has chosen for its new headquarters — it’s a property with deep roots in North Texas business history.
The telecom giant is relocating from downtown Dallas to Plano, about 22 miles north, settling on the same ground that once housed Ross Perot’s groundbreaking company, Electronic Data Systems (EDS).
“It was literally just campus in the middle of nowhere surrounded by fields,” said former employee Melinda Lockhart, who worked at the site for 24 years. Lockhart started up an alumni page on Facebook with ‘former EDS-ers’ and it has been going strong for a number of years.
Long before Plano became a corporate hub, billionaire and visionary Ross Perot saw potential in the land.
“He goes, ‘Hi, I don’t believe I’ve met you, I’m Ross Perot!’ It was like, ‘Ok!’” Lockhart recalled of their first meeting on her first day.
Perot purchased the property in 1979 to serve as the headquarters for EDS — a decision that would help shape Plano’s future.
“Ross always had vision. Ross put down roots that said this is where growth is going to occur and we’re gonna make it big,” said Lockhart.
The original EDS campus became a magnet for major corporations, paving the way for companies like Frito-Lay, JCPenney, JP Morgan Chase, and Toyota to establish operations in the area.
Plano Mayor John Muns said the city is ready for the next chapter:
“AT&T’s relocation represents a powerful reinvestment in the Legacy business district, building on an extraordinary foundation that has driven growth in Plano and our region for decades. With surrounding Legacy developments already advancing innovation, the addition of AT&T brings fresh momentum to this iconic area and helps position Legacy for its next generation of success.”
AT&T’s move is expected to bring new energy to the Legacy business corridor, though the existing EDS buildings will likely be torn down. Move-in is planned for 2028.
For Lockhart and others who spent decades there, the change feels bittersweet. Melinda says the AT&T feels like the ‘right fit’ for the area and the location.
“It’s kinda like a house without a family in it. It’s not a home,” she said recalling how she felt when it was an empty shell of a building for close to eight years. “A lot of good memories there.”
The land that once represented Ross Perot’s vision of innovation is now poised to anchor another era of corporate growth in Plano.