The Big Picture
Downtown Springdale is transforming fast. Guided by the 2022 Master Plan and fueled by a mix of public and private investment, the area is adding housing, green spaces, restaurants, hotels, and cultural spaces. Emma Avenue is becoming a corridor where people can truly live, work, and play.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s already open and what’s coming soon.
Major Developments
Via Emma - Developed by Bentonville-based Blue Crane and designed by BUF Studio and modus studio .
One of the largest mixed-use projects in downtown, Via Emma will bring over 150 residential units and more than 11,000 square feet of commercial and community space to the 500 block between Emma Avenue and Luther George Park. Designed with pedestrian connections and public amenities, it’s expected to dramatically reshape the area by late 2026.
Big Emma - Developed by Buffalo Builders & BiLD Architects
Located at Emma Avenue and Park Street, Big Emma is a 77-unit apartment complex that reserves 30 units for households earning below the area median income. With a ground-floor coffee shop, this project is a flagship for mixed-income housing in Northwest Arkansas. Completion is expected in summer 2025.
The Sundry Hotel- A Tapestry Collection By Hilton, Developed by Blue Crane
Downtown Springdale is getting its own boutique hotel. The Sundry Hotel, a five-story Hilton Tapestry project, will offer 124 rooms, a restaurant, and outdoor dining. Situated at 203 E. Emma Avenue between the Razorback Greenway and the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad, it’s set to become a hospitality anchor when it opens in early 2027.
Luther George Park Renovation - Developed by Trahan Architect & Landscape Architects Spackman Mossop Michaels (SMM)
This 14-acre park is being completely reimagined with a performance pavilion, native plantings, new trail connections, and upgraded landscaping. Designed to better integrate with the Razorback Greenway and downtown circulation, Luther George Park is already serving as a cornerstone of downtown’s public space strategy. This project is expected to be completed in October 2025.
Market Center of the Ozarks (MCO)
Springdale now hosts a regional food hub at 821 E. Emma Avenue. This 45,000-square-foot facility includes commercial kitchens, cold storage, and processing space for farmers and food entrepreneurs. Opened in mid-2025, it supports local food systems while helping institutions, such as schools and hospitals, source more local food.
Jones Center Redevelopment
The Jones Center campus is slated for upgrades, featuring plans for outdoor pickleball courts, rock climbing facilities, flexible event spaces, and enhanced recreation amenities. This 55-acre redevelopment will further strengthen downtown as a hub for arts, sports, and community life.
New Businesses & Community Spaces
Onyx Coffee Lab
Onyx’s Springdale location has grown into a destination of its own. Inside the renovated First Security Bank complex on Emma Avenue, the expanded café features a chocolate production area, a wine and cocktail bar, and over 6,000 square feet of space. It officially opened on May 5, 2025.
Casa Magnolia
Opened in early 2025, this cozy spot blends coffee, ice cream, books, art, and community. Located in a converted house, Casa Magnolia provides a relaxed space for people of all ages to gather, read, and enjoy locally inspired food and culture.
Why It Matters
- More housing, more diversity: Downtown Springdale is adding hundreds of new residential units, with affordability built into projects like Big Emma.
- Cultural and economic anchors: From the Sundry Hotel to Onyx’s café expansion, new businesses are designed to attract both locals and tourist.
- Community spaces and green infrastructure: Renovations at Luther George Park and the Market Center of the Ozarks food hub ensure that public life remains at the center.
- Momentum: These projects aren’t isolated; they represent a coordinated vision that’s reshaping the City of Springdale.
👉 Springdale is no longer just a pass-through city. It’s building a downtown that can stand alongside Bentonville, Rogers, and Fayetteville as a destination of its own.
By: Desiree Stock, Executive Broker, Collier & Associates
📢 Big News from NWALook!
We're excited to announce that NWALook is transitioning to a paid membership model on October 1, 2025, available for just $15/month.
Here's what you'll get as a member:
- 3 Exclusive Hyper-Focused Articles each month, diving deeper into Northwest Arkansas real estate trends, neighborhoods, and market insights.
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This new model ensures we can deliver deeper, data-driven reporting and analysis that goes beyond the basics, tailored for serious buyers, sellers, investors, and industry professionals who want an edge in Northwest Arkansas real estate.
👉 Membership launches October 1, 2025, at $15/month. Don't miss your chance to be part of the most detailed, local real estate insight platform in NWA!
Stay Ahead with NWALook: Subscribe to NWALook and gain the data-driven edge in NWA Real Estate. Follow us on Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn
Luxury Sales of the Week
Benton & Washington County
📍 4953 Prestwick South Cir, Fayetteville, AR 72704
💰 Sales price: $1,699,900
🤝 Represented by:
• Seller’s agent: Brandon Still, Collier & Associates
• Buyer’s agent: Karrie Nuckols, Gabel Realty
📍 403 W Central Ave, Bentonville, AR 72712
💰 Sales price: $1,500,000
🤝 Represented by:
• Seller’s agent: Johnson Shapley Group, Lindsey & Assoc Inc Branch (Co-agent: Fred Johnson, Jennifer Shapley, Johnson Shapley Group)
Desiree Stock
Leadership in Action
Great leaders know when to guide from a distance and when to roll up their sleeves. Stepping in doesn’t mean taking control; it means supporting your team when the load is heavy, offering clarity when the path is unclear, and giving encouragement when energy is low.
Authentic leadership is about presence, not position. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is show that you’re willing to stand alongside your team, not just ahead of them.
Remember: stepping in at the right moment builds trust, strengthens morale, and reminds everyone that success is a shared responsibility.
If you’re enjoying NWALook, check out NWA Daily
NWALook keeps you informed with in-depth analyses of Northwest Arkansas’ real estate trends, growth, and community insights. For your daily dose of local headlines, events, and stories shaping life in NWA, we recommend subscribing to NWA Daily. Together, NWALook and NWA Daily give you both the deeper context and the daily pulse of our region.
Featured Listing
596 Polo Drive, Fayetteville, AR 72703
Listing Price: $1,300,000
🛏 4 Bedrooms|3 Full Bathrooms| 1 Half Baths| 📐 4,469 Sq Ft | Built 2001 | 3.30 Acres
Welcome to 596 Polo Estates Drive, where outdoor living meets modern comfort. This fully remodeled 4 bed, 3.5 bath home sits on 3.30 acres with a private pond, sparkling pool, and walking distance to the White River for fishing, kayaking, or simply enjoying nature. Inside, you’ll find open living spaces filled with natural light, a chef’s kitchen with granite countertops and custom cabinetry, and a primary suite designed for relaxation. Multiple living and flex areas provide room to spread out, while large windows keep you connected to the stunning surroundings. Whether it’s mornings by the water, afternoons poolside, or evenings gathered under the stars, this property offers a true Fayetteville retreat just minutes from town.
Listed By:
Collier & Associates
Listing Agent
Margaret Schloss
Cell: 417-293-8975
Office:479-274-0662
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Featured Weekend Events
The Second Annual Old Friends Music Festival
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Celebrate Hispanic Culture at the NWA Hispanic Heritage Festival
Arkansas vs. Notre Dame Football
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Upcoming Events
Bikes Blues and BBQ - October 1-4, 2025
Eureka Springs Art Walk & Expedition - October 4, 2025
Fayetteville Falltober Fest - October 5, 2025
Momentous Music and Arts Festival - October 10-11, 2025
Square 2 Square Fall Ride Fayetteville to Bentonville - October 11, 2025
Shift '25 Bike Event - October 15-17, 2025
Springdale Craft Fair - October 17, 2025
Oktoberfest NWA Beer Festival - October 18, 2025
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