- AT&T will relocate its headquarters from downtown Dallas to Plano by 2028.
- The move continues a trend of companies leaving Dallas’s urban core amid high vacancy rates.
- AT&T plans to build a new, modern campus on a large, suburban site.
- Plano’s business-friendly environment continues to attract major employers.
Suburban Appeal Grows
AT&T is set to move its global headquarters from downtown Dallas to Plano, Texas, with partial occupancy targeted for the second half of 2028, reports The WSJ. The telecom company, currently the sixth-largest employer in Dallas, will build a modern, low-rise campus on the site of the former Electronic Data Systems headquarters, about 23 miles north of its existing location.
Downtown Dallas Office Exodus
The AT&T headquarters relocation adds to ongoing outmigration from Dallas’s central business district, which now faces the nation’s second-highest office vacancy rate at 27.2%. Concerns over public safety, crime, and the lack of suitable downtown land for horizontal development contributed to the decision. AT&T will retain some operational presence downtown but plans to consolidate most staff in the new Plano hub. The move reflects a growing national pattern, as more companies across the US continue to shift their headquarters to more flexible and cost-effective locations.
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Plano’s Steady Expansion
Plano’s population growth and business-friendly policies have lured several major employers in recent years, including Toyota and Fisher Investments. AT&T’s headquarters relocation reinforces Plano’s reputation as a leading destination for corporate investment in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Local officials say the move reflects both the city’s strategic appeal and the limitations of central Dallas for modern corporate campuses.
What’s Next
AT&T’s headquarters relocation is part of a broader trend. More companies are gravitating toward suburban markets for flexible space and improved amenities. The shift may further challenge downtown Dallas’s commercial ecosystem. But it also positions Plano as an increasingly central business hub in North Texas.
