CELINA, Texas — Walmart is set to anchor a major mixed-use development in North Texas, becoming the first retail tenant to break ground at the 150-acre Shawnee Trail project in Celina.
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The development, led by G-Man Development and Trademark Property Company, marks a significant milestone for one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. Walmart is scheduled to break ground on April 29, ahead of broader construction activity planned for the site.
The store will feature one of Walmart’s newer contemporary formats, incorporating an on-site fulfillment center designed to support e-commerce operations, along with infrastructure for drone delivery. A fuel station is also planned as part of the development, expanding the retailer’s service offerings.
“Walmart’s opening is the first of many milestones for Shawnee Trail, where we are integrating neighborhood and community-oriented retail into a vibrant mixed-use environment,” said Trademark CEO Terry Montesi. “Our development roadmap going forward emphasizes quality design, a focus on the pedestrian, and vibrant placemaking.”
The Shawnee Trail project is envisioned as a large-scale, master-planned development combining retail, residential and commercial uses. Plans for the site include restaurants, entertainment venues, office space, parks and multifamily housing, creating a walkable, community-focused destination.
While Walmart will begin construction in 2026, the first phase of the broader mixed-use development is expected to break ground in 2027. Developers say the project is designed to balance regional retail draw with neighborhood-scale accessibility and open space.
Retail leasing activity is already gaining momentum. According to project representatives, approximately 300,000 square feet of prospective tenants have expressed interest in the development, signaling strong demand from retailers looking to enter the growing Celina market.
“With Walmart’s upcoming opening and the groundbreaking for our mixed-use development in sight, Shawnee Trail is now tangible, and retailers are letting us know they want to be a part of this community,” said Matthew Kiran, a real estate broker affiliated with the project.
The project comes amid rapid population growth in Celina, which has transformed from a small town into a booming suburban market. The city’s population has surged from approximately 1,700 residents in 2000 to more than 60,000 in 2025, making it one of the fastest-growing municipalities in the country.
This growth is fueling demand for new retail, housing and infrastructure — creating opportunities for developers, contractors and construction firms across multiple sectors.
For construction professionals, the Shawnee Trail project represents a long-term pipeline of work spanning site development, vertical construction, retail buildouts and supporting infrastructure. The inclusion of logistics capabilities, such as fulfillment and drone delivery, also highlights the increasing integration of retail and distribution functions within new developments.
Walmart’s involvement underscores broader shifts in retail development, where physical stores are increasingly designed to serve both in-person shoppers and online fulfillment needs. This hybrid model is shaping construction requirements, driving demand for flexible layouts, advanced logistics systems and technology integration.
As Shawnee Trail moves from planning into execution, it is expected to become a key commercial hub in North Texas — and a high-profile example of how mixed-use development is evolving to meet changing consumer and market demands.
Originally reported by Al Urbanski in Chain Storeage.
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