One critical need being addressed in DeSoto’s Life Sciences Innovation Core, now in its early stages of development, is more graduate lab space, Carlson says. Along with these labs will be residential and office space, plus a 14-acre retail area.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to create a campus-like atmosphere,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
The development will be a place where people in the life sciences space can live and work as they grow and scale their startups.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dallasinnovates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/LifeScience_DeSotoCampus-970.jpg\")
Image: LPA Design Studios<\/p><\/div>\n
“They may have found a product has potential to be commercialized and they need more space and more staff,” Carlson says. “Right now, regionally there’s a gap for those organizations that want to get to the next level.”<\/p>\n
Antoine Long, DeSoto’s economic development manager, says the Life Sciences Innovation Core is just one piece of the DDC’s current vision.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re also planning for a business industrial park, a downtown DeSoto corridor, an eater-tainment district, and a sports training and medicine complex,\u201d Long says.<\/p>\n
In addition, officials are continuing to recruit companies to the longstanding Eagle Business & Industrial Park.<\/p>\n
These developments will create jobs and provide services people need, Carlson and Long say. They note that, right now, there\u2019s a 2:1 ratio of local job seekers to local job listings in the life sciences space.<\/p>\n
In the sector’s space regionally, DFW is ranked in the top 20 across biopharma R&D and manufacturing as well as medtech.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dallasinnovates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/LifeScience_DeSoto-Inographic-970.jpg\")
Image: LPA Design Studios<\/p><\/div>\n
\u201cWhat you want to see is highly skilled workers following jobs, not the other way around,” Carlson says. “Because if you don\u2019t create job opportunities where people already live, eventually they\u2019ll leave.<\/p>\n
“We look at the Life Sciences Innovation Core as an investment in the future\u2014people don\u2019t want to spend an extra two hours in traffic just to get to work.\u201d<\/p>\n
Breaking ground and designing a legacy<\/strong><\/h3>\nIn August, the DDC and the Wildwood Development firm cut the ribbon on the <\/span>new DeSoto Professional Park, <\/span>where the Life Sciences I<\/span>nnovation Core will be located.<\/span><\/p>\nLPA Design Studios, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary (and its seventh in Dallas) in 2025, says this kind of project is about creating something that will benefit future generations.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dallasinnovates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/LifeScience_WildwoodGroundbreaking-970.jpg\")
Wildwood groundbreaking, August, 2024 [Photo: DeSoto Development Corporation]<\/p><\/div>\n
\u201cEarly on, we had a chance to present the plans to DeSoto officials and key members of the community,\u201d says D. Alex John Jr., LPA’s principal and design director. \u201cAnd they were moved to tears, thinking about how this could have a lasting impact on the next generation.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOur motto is \u2018changing lives by design,\u2019 and we truly believe that design can improve communities and people\u2019s lives on every project for every budget at every scale,\u201d says Isabel Mandujano, LPA’s director of laboratory planning.<\/p>\n
She says LPA works collaboratively with clients to set project goals in four key areas: sustainability, wellness, community experience, and performance.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to complement the incredible work that\u2019s already been started at Pegasus Park,” says Long, the DeSoto economic development manager. “If you go south from that point, you have the executive airport, Children\u2019s Health, Methodist, then DeSoto, and end at UNT Dallas. DeSoto is the perfect spot to tie it all together.”<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/dallasinnovates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/LifeScience_DeSoto203LifeScienceInnovationCore_Overview-970.jpg\")
Image: LPA Design Studios<\/p><\/div>\n
Carlson and Long plan to discuss opportunities with development companies in the first quarter, aiming to finalize builders and partnerships by the end of Q2.<\/p>\n
They\u2019ll also be talking to educational institutions about the potential for establishing satellite campuses at the new innovation core.<\/p>\n
If all goes according to plan, groundbreaking for the initial buildings will take place early next year.<\/p>\n
Voices contributor Nicole Ward is a data journalist for the Dallas Regional Chamber.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nDon’t miss what’s next. Subscribe\u00a0to\u00a0Dallas\u00a0Innovates.<\/h2>\n
Track Dallas-Fort Worth’s business and innovation landscape with our curated news in your inbox Tuesday-Thursday.<\/p>\n
\n
LPA Design Studios, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary (and its seventh in Dallas) in 2025, says this kind of project is about creating something that will benefit future generations.<\/p>\n
Wildwood groundbreaking, August, 2024 [Photo: DeSoto Development Corporation]<\/p><\/div>\n
\u201cEarly on, we had a chance to present the plans to DeSoto officials and key members of the community,\u201d says D. Alex John Jr., LPA’s principal and design director. \u201cAnd they were moved to tears, thinking about how this could have a lasting impact on the next generation.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOur motto is \u2018changing lives by design,\u2019 and we truly believe that design can improve communities and people\u2019s lives on every project for every budget at every scale,\u201d says Isabel Mandujano, LPA’s director of laboratory planning.<\/p>\n
She says LPA works collaboratively with clients to set project goals in four key areas: sustainability, wellness, community experience, and performance.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to complement the incredible work that\u2019s already been started at Pegasus Park,” says Long, the DeSoto economic development manager. “If you go south from that point, you have the executive airport, Children\u2019s Health, Methodist, then DeSoto, and end at UNT Dallas. DeSoto is the perfect spot to tie it all together.”<\/p>\n
Image: LPA Design Studios<\/p><\/div>\n
Carlson and Long plan to discuss opportunities with development companies in the first quarter, aiming to finalize builders and partnerships by the end of Q2.<\/p>\n
They\u2019ll also be talking to educational institutions about the potential for establishing satellite campuses at the new innovation core.<\/p>\n
If all goes according to plan, groundbreaking for the initial buildings will take place early next year.<\/p>\n
Voices contributor Nicole Ward is a data journalist for the Dallas Regional Chamber.<\/em><\/p>\n Track Dallas-Fort Worth’s business and innovation landscape with our curated news in your inbox Tuesday-Thursday.<\/p>\n
\nDon’t miss what’s next. Subscribe\u00a0to\u00a0Dallas\u00a0Innovates.<\/h2>\n