ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 2020 has been an unprecedented year for the city of Grapevine, the state of Texas, the United States, and the world. Facing challenges we haven’t seen for 100 years, local businesses have risen to the challenge and navigated the turbulent waters of economic challenges this year has brought. Our department has worked tirelessly to support, inform, and encourage our Grapevine businesses as we all work to emerge on the other side as a better and more successful version of our past selves. Our diversity of industry, intangible advantages, and resilient businesses have paved the way forward into a better and more hopeful 2021.
Transportation Grapevine has outstanding access within the region and state. A majority of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is located within the Grapevine city limits, providing global access to residents and visitors. Total passengers exceed 60 million per year and is expected to increase to 70 million by 2021. Seven major highways converge within Grapevine’s corporate limits, providing easy access to both state and national destinations. Trinity Metro’s commuter line TEX Rail, opened to passengers on January 5, 2019, provides an entirely new way to travel to and from the airport and Fort Worth. Grapevine invested over $125 M into a boutique hotel/train station at the intersection of Main St. and Dallas Rd. that will be a highlight of the city for decades to come. The Hotel Vin is currently open and will increase 26 | Grapevine Chamber of Commerce
operations as the year continues, including “Harvest Hall”, a food hall with 8 local concepts, opening in late October 2020. The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) opened light rail from the DFW Airport eastward into the Dallas area, and this service connects with the commuter rail line in Grapevine. A study done by economists Dr. Bernard Weinstein and Dr. Terry Clower indicated that a commuter rail station in Grapevine would generate $50-$100 million in new or renovated development, as well as enhance Grapevine as a tourist and business destination. To improve intra-city mobility, Grapevine also offers a local shuttle system, consisting of a four bus fleet with routes between all major commercial and tourism entities within the community.
Grapevine Mills Grapevine Mills opened in 1997 and continues to play a major role in Grapevine’s economy. The 1.6 million sq. ft. mall contains 200 stores and 30 kiosks. It attracts 13-15 million shoppers annually and employs 1,500 people. Simon Corporation purchased the mall and has continued to make the retail and entertainment mix fresh and exciting. In 2016, Simon completed a $40 million renovation to give the interior a classic and timeless look. In addition, a new and more upscale/fashion tenant mix has been initiated, with new tenants such as Coach, H&M, Michael Kors, and Kenneth Cole. Merlin Entertainment,
the second largest visitor attraction company in the world with 59 attractions in Europe, Asia, and North America, opened two attraction within the mall in 2011: LEGOLAND Discovery Center DFW and SEA LIFE Aquarium. LEGOLAND and SEA LIFE Aquarium deliver a combined attendance of 1.1 million visitors per year. Fieldhouse USA, a sports complex that hosts tournaments for basketball, volleyball, and more, opened in January 2017. This addition brought more customers to the other retailers in the mall, local hotels, and Grapevine’s many restaurants.
Hospitality The Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center finished the development of their resort pool with a lazy river, cabana, and other entertainment amenities, to resounding success. The hotel broke ground in 2016 for the addition of a 492 room tower, a 277,000 sq. ft. convention center expansion, and additional parking spaces. Grapevine’s Great Wolf Lodge continues to flourish as it is consistently the best-performing hotel in their brand. The City of Grapevine also announced the arrival of a new hotel/waterpark concept called Stand Rock. The first of its kind in Texas, this hotel will be built in two phases up to 1,000 rooms, making it the second biggest hotel in Grapevine! After some initial delay, the project is expected to break ground sometime in the next year or two.
