Dallas City Council Denied Winners Tower Zoning

The council rejected a proposal for a 25-story mixed-use tower in South Dallas.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Isometric editorial illustration of a vacant concrete slab on a dry urban lot, representing a halted development project. — The Dallas City Council voted to deny a zoning change for the 25-story Winners Tower, effectively halting development plans at the South Dallas site for two years. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should city councils prioritize high-density development projects over existing community-crafted neighborhood zoning plans?

Dallas City Council voted to deny a zoning change for the proposed 25-story Winners Tower project. The decision prevents new development applications for the site at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Colonial Avenue for two years.

Why it matters

Council members and opponents rejected the project over concerns regarding building height, insufficient community engagement, and neighborhood incompatibility. The decision follows claims that the tower undermined a community-crafted zoning plan.

The proposed Winners Tower development sought zoning for a 25-story structure reaching heights of up to 270 feet. The site is now subject to a two-year ban on new zoning applications following the council denial.

The players

Adam Bazaldua

He is a Dallas City Council member who introduced the motion to deny the zoning change for the development.

Raphael Adebayo

He is a developer who has been acquiring land in the area around the proposed project site since 2007.

The details

City Council member Adam Bazaldua introduced the motion to deny the request after the city plan commission unanimously recommended rejection in 2025. The project had been deferred three times by the council since January 2026.

Raphael Adebayo began acquiring land in the area in 2007.
The city plan commission recommended denying the zoning change in 2025.
The City Council began deferring the zoning change decision in January 2026.
The City Council officially denied the zoning change on September 23, 2026.
No new zoning applications will be permitted for the property for the next two years.

Market Landscape

The council's decision follows a pattern of prioritizing existing community-crafted zoning plans over large-scale commercial development requests. This rejection stalls a significant project in South Dallas, reflecting broader tensions between developers and neighborhood density guidelines.

Residents in the area will not see the construction of the proposed hotel and condominium tower at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Colonial Avenue. The site remains unchanged as new zoning applications are prohibited for the next two years.

The takeaway

Large-scale urban development projects often face significant hurdles when they conflict with established community-designed zoning guidelines. Future developers in Dallas may find success by prioritizing direct community engagement and alignment with existing area plans early in the process.