IKEA recently announced its plans to open a second store in the metroplex.  For folks that have been driving north to Frisco for an IKEA fix, come 2017 a new location will likely open in Grand Prairie.  

“We were attracted to this site because it is large and available for sale, with good visibility and access from highway 161, and is reachable from many points throughout the Central and Western part of the Metroplex,” said Joseph Roth, ‎U.S. Expansion & Property Public Affairs Manager at IKEA “while also complementing our presence in Frisco.”  

IKEA has currently submitted an application to the City of Grand Prairie and Roth said the company will also need to receive governmental approvals, finalize the real estate transaction, prepare the land, construct the IKEA building as well as staff and stock the store. 

“However, initial meetings have indicated the city is very supportive of our proposal,” Roth indicated.

The anticipated opening date for the Grand Prairie IKEA is Fall 2017.

Located approximately 14 miles west of downtown Dallas and 18 miles east of downtown Fort Worth, the 293,000-square-foot proposed IKEA Grand Prairie and its 1,250 parking spaces would be built on 32 acres along the eastern side of State Highway 161 and Mayfield Road, north of Interstate-20.  Store plans reflect the same unique architectural design for which IKEA stores are known worldwide.  IKEA also will evaluate potential on-site power generation to complement its current U.S. renewable energy presence at nearly 90% of its U.S. locations.

“We are thrilled with the reception afforded us after entering North Texas more than 10 years ago, so we are excited to submit plans for IKEA Grand Prairie to extend our Dallas-area reach,” said Lars Petersson, IKEA U.S. president. 

Roth added that the IKEA Grand Prairie would feature nearly 10,000 exclusively designed items, 50 inspirational room-settings, three model home interiors, a supervised children’s play area, and a 350-seat restaurant serving Swedish specialties such as meatballs with lingonberries and salmon plates, as well as American dishes.  Other family-friendly features will include a ‘Children’s IKEA’ area in the Showroom, baby care rooms, play areas throughout the store, and preferred parking.  The only noticeable difference would be that we are able to purchase 32 acres of land, so we can spread the entire store on one-level instead of two.”

IKEA’s first store in Texas opened in Houston in 1992; Frisco opened in 2005 and Round Rock in 2006.  Additionally, a new Houston store opened in 2004 adjacent to the original one.

IKEA is currently the world’s leading home furnishings retailer founded in 1943 with 370 IKEA stores in 47 countries, including 41 in the U.S. 

"We are so pleased IKEA chose Grand Prairie," said Grand Prairie Mayor Ron Jensen.  "The city worked diligently with the IKEA team to make this happen. The Grand Prairie IKEA will be a great destination for shoppers and developers. With our prime location and available land along the SH 161 corridor in the heart of DFW, the city anticipates more major development around the IKEA location as a result of this announcement."