#4 May 02, 25

From Lawyer to Developer: Chad West on Building Dallas’ Future

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

Click here to watch a video of this episode.

(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

Episode Video

Creators and Guests

Host

Chris Arrington

Chris Arrington is the President and Founder of Arrington Roofing. Originally trained as an architect, Chris left the drafting table over 40 years ago to pursue his true passion: building. With a lifetime of experience in construction, development, and roofing, he brings unmatched enthusiasm, depth, and vision to Building Dallas as a co-host. Get ready to go deeper as Chris shares the secret behind his success — a love for people and a relentless focus on the bigger picture.

Host

Reese Arrington

Reese Arrington is a co-host of Building Dallas, bringing a fresh perspective and dynamic energy to the show. Born and raised in Dallas, Reese's passion for storytelling and community engagement shines through in every episode. With a background in acting and media production, he excels at connecting with guests and drawing out compelling narratives. Reese's commitment to authentic conversations and his deep-rooted love for his hometown make him an integral voice in exploring the people and stories that shape Dallas.

Guest

Chad West

Chad West is a creative entrepreneur, real estate developer, and current Dallas City Council Member dedicated to building a stronger, more connected North Texas. With a background as an Army officer, lawyer, and small business owner, Chad blends leadership, storytelling, and community pride into every endeavor. A longtime Oak Cliff resident, he’s passionate about revitalizing neighborhoods, supporting smart growth, and helping shape Dallas’s future. When he’s not working, Chad enjoys spending time with his family and celebrating the spirit of the city he calls home.

Producer

Chase Arrington

Chase Arrington is the creator and executive producer of Building Dallas and owner of Arrington Media, a subsidiary of The Arrington Group, LLC. A fourth-generation Dallas native, Chase brings his lifelong passion for storytelling, entrepreneurship, and creative leadership to the show. With a background in filmmaking, music, and corporate media production — and a heart for building authentic connections — he’s driven to create spaces where people can share honest conversations, find meaning, and become their best. Chase is also a proud husband and father of three girls, and a believer in using vision and collaboration to help build a stronger, brighter Dallas for generations to come.