Plano is one step closer to adding a new landmark to its skyline. As part of AT&T’s planned headquarters campus, city leaders approved zoning tied to a 280-foot tower that could soon rise near Legacy Drive and Parkwood Boulevard.
On May 26, Plano City Council unanimously approved rezoning for a 1.4-acre tract connected to the telecom giant’s future campus, clearing the way for a plaza centered around a tower structure that will also house commercial antennas.
The tower, which will feature AT&T’s globe logo at the top, marks one of the first highly visible elements of the company’s massive relocation project from downtown Dallas to Plano.
A Tower Designed To Be Seen
While the structure will function as part of AT&T’s wireless infrastructure, company leaders are also positioning it as a defining visual feature for the campus itself.
“One of the defining features will be an iconic tower, a foundational part of the campus, delivering world-class cell coverage to the campus and our new home neighborhood,” AT&T CEO John Stankey previously said. “With a globe at the top, it will stand out on the horizon, a symbol both of our headquarters and the advanced connectivity we provide across this country.”
Early renderings shared publicly by Stankey offered the first glimpse at the tower, which had remained largely out of public view during earlier planning discussions.
According to the city, the antennas inside the structure will be fully concealed, allowing the tower to operate as what planners describe as a stealth antenna support structure rather than a traditional cell tower.
The zoning approval also places restrictions on lighting. Plans prohibit flashing, rotating, strobing or chasing light effects overnight between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless required by the Federal Aviation Administration.
A Major Shift From Dallas To Plano
The tower is only one piece of AT&T’s much larger headquarters development planned for 5400 Legacy Drive. The company previously announced plans to relocate its headquarters operations from downtown Dallas to a new 54-acre global campus in Plano.
Earlier this year, Plano approved a substantial incentive package tied to the project. The agreement includes up to $20 million in economic incentives connected to redevelopment efforts and job creation, along with a long-term property tax rebate agreement.
Plano’s Skyline Continues To Change
For years, Plano’s growth has largely spread outward rather than upward. But as corporate relocations continue reshaping West Plano, taller and more recognizable structures have started becoming part of the city’s evolving identity.
The planned AT&T tower may not rival downtown Dallas skyscrapers in height, but along the Legacy corridor, it is expected to become one of the area’s most recognizable additions.
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