From Lawyer to Developer: Chad West on Building Dallas’ Future
May 2, 2025
In this episode of Building Dallas, we sit down with Chad West — Army veteran, real estate developer, and Oak Cliff’s District 1 City Council member — to talk about the future of real estate and development in Dallas.
Chad shares how he transitioned from a legal career to real estate investing, why commercial real estate is more stable than the stock market, and what major developments are shaping West Dallas and Oak Cliff.
🎯 Topics Covered
Why Chad trusts real estate over stocks in DFW
How adaptive reuse transformed Oak Cliff properties
What Triple Net leases mean for landlords
The next hotspots for Dallas growth
How residents can influence development decisions
The debate over highways vs neighborhoods in Dallas
📍 Whether you’re a homeowner, builder, or developer in North Texas, you’ll love this deep dive into the city's future.
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Presented by Arrington Roofing, proudly serving North Texas property owners for 40+ years.
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Keep up with Chad West
Website: https://chadwestdallas.com/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/chadwestdallas
Episode Summary
00:00 - Why DFW Real Estate Will Boom for the Next 10 Years
00:45 - Meet Chad West: Army Vet, Lawyer, Developer, Councilman
02:00 - How a Bad Landlord Experience Led to Real Estate Success
04:00 - Inside Chad’s First Adaptive Reuse Project in Oak Cliff
06:00 - Why Commercial Real Estate Beats Stocks in Dallas
07:15 - Triple Net Leases Explained: How Commercial Real Estate Works
09:00 - Are Commercial Property Owners Really Happier?
10:00 - Is West Dallas Already the Next Hotspot?
11:30 - Hidden Gems: The Future of West Oak Cliff Development
13:50 - New Sprouts in West Dallas? Here’s How It Happened
15:00 - Why Oak Cliff Still Lacks Enough Grocery Stores
17:00 - What’s Blocking Trader Joe’s and HEB from Moving to Oak Cliff?
19:00 - How Road Infrastructure Impacts Home Value in Dallas
21:00 - Why Chad West Chose Public Service Over Private Wealth
22:30 - The Origin of Dash for the Beads Race in Oak Cliff
24:30 - How Community Events Shape Stronger Dallas Neighborhoods
26:00 - Will Dallas Expand Its Streetcar System? Here’s the Plan
28:00 - Can Dallas Ever Compete with European Public Transit?
29:45 - Why Parking Reform Matters for Small Businesses in Dallas
31:00 - How Parking Rules Hurt Entrepreneurs and Investors
34:30 - The Big Debate: Should Dallas Remove Highways Over Downtown?
36:00 - 5 Million People Are Moving to DFW — What Happens Next?
38:00 - What Kind of City Do Dallas Residents Really Want?
40:00 - How Residents Can Influence City Planning (and Why It’s Hard)
43:00 - The Truth About How Decisions Are Made in Dallas Government
45:00 - Why Chad Believes in Preserving Oak Cliff’s Entrepreneurial Spirit
