Eric Danielson, Managing Director – Real Estate, NexPoint

In an interview with Invest:, Eric Danielson, managing director at NexPoint, emphasized the redevelopment of the former Electronic Data Systems headquarters in Plano into a major life sciences center. He highlighted North Texas’ potential as a biotech destination, citing its educated workforce and strong public schools as key advantages over traditional hubs.

What is NexPoint’s footprint in North Texas, and what are your key developments?

NexPoint is a national real estate investment company with assets across the United States in various sectors, including life sciences, which is my area of focus within the organization. Specifically in the Dallas region, we are working on the redevelopment of the former Electronic Data Systems headquarters in Plano, Texas. We’re converting that former office campus into a life sciences ecosystem, which is currently our most prominent project in the area and what we’re primarily known for in North Texas. It’s also my day-to-day focus.

What makes North Texas ideal for your operations and for life sciences investments? 

A key factor is the high educational attainment of the residents in areas like DeSoto, Frisco, and Plano. When we analyze demographic data, we see a significant number of highly educated professionals, including researchers and Ph.D.’s from institutions like UT Southwestern, who choose to live in these suburbs. They’re drawn by the quality of life and the true live-work-play environment that these communities offer.

Another major factor is the strength of the local public education systems. I’m most familiar with the Plano Independent School District, which has embraced life sciences and biotechnology education. Not only do they have a strong district-wide STEM curriculum, but they also have a significant amount of career-focused programming to support the life science workforce. PISD opened a dedicated Health Sciences Academy in 2013, which offers a biotech-focused track. They also recently broke ground on a new career and technical education (CTE) center, which continues the district’s focus on skills-based and technical training that reflects the needs of local employers and helps ensure a strong future workforce. The CTE programming is particularly relevant for the advanced manufacturing activities planned at TRQ, which provides high-paying jobs that don’t require a four-year degree. 

What opportunities do you see for real estate investment in the region? 

At the Texas Research Quarter (TRQ), our goal is to provide real estate solutions for large-scale biomanufacturing companies. Currently, there’s a lack of space in the Dallas market that caters specifically to these users.

Pegasus Park has been an outstanding development, but if you speak with leaders at BioLabs, the Lyda Hill Foundation, or J. Small Investments, they’ll tell you that their focus is on early-stage companies and nonprofit support organizations. If a larger company needed 100,000 to 300,000 square feet of space, they would struggle to find it there.

The advantage we have at TRQ is scale. We have 1.6 million square feet of existing office space that we’re converting for lab and light manufacturing use. Additionally, we have 170 acres adjacent to the site for new construction.

Currently, large-scale bio manufacturers are often forced to repurpose industrial buildings, which aren’t always ideal for their needs. While conversion is possible, it’s not always the most efficient option. Our goal is to provide build-to-suit solutions designed specifically for life sciences.

We’re also seeing companies exploring alternatives to traditional biotech hubs like Boston, Cambridge, Raleigh-Durham, and the Bay Area, which are becoming increasingly resource-constrained. Dallas is positioning itself as a viable alternative by offering available space, a skilled workforce, and a business-friendly environment. Once companies decide to move here, we can work closely with them to determine their specific real estate needs and ideal locations within the metro area.

What are some of the broader real estate trends you see in North Texas?

A major trend we’re seeing across the board is the “flight to quality.” New construction consistently wins out over older real estate assets that are 10, 15, or 20 years old. Every time we promote our Texas Research Quarter projects, there are those who appreciate the character of a 40-year-old building and consider transforming it to fit their needs. But at the end of the day, net new construction is what the market desires most.

The demand is primarily for purpose-built facilities that incorporate modern, 21st-century technologies — especially in areas like HVAC systems and electrical redundancy. These features are critical for life sciences and advanced manufacturing spaces, and they simply weren’t part of the design when older buildings were constructed 30 or 40 years ago. Meeting the market’s expectations for quality and efficiency remains a key focus for us.

How do you see your role as a developer in ensuring that growth within the region remains sustainable? 

The region’s population growth is an essential metric that relocating companies look at. They want to see growth trends moving upward, as it signals a strong and available workforce. That’s a key consideration right from the start.

In terms of managing growth, it really comes down to making smart real estate decisions in collaboration with local municipalities. Cities don’t want to overextend their resources, particularly in critical areas like public safety — police, fire, and emergency services. That’s why we work closely with municipalities to ensure that development aligns with their capacity to provide essential services.

We’re fortunate to have a strong relationship with the city of Plano for our Texas Research Quarter project. They understand our vision, and we understand their expectations. Plano is at a stage where reinvestment is necessary to stay competitive and maintain quality standards. Our close collaboration with city officials ensures that the project contributes positively to the community and aligns with their long-term growth strategies.

Are there any misconceptions about the region that you’d like to address for future stakeholders or investors?

One of the biggest misconceptions is the idea that because North Texas isn’t currently recognized as a primary life sciences hub, it can’t become one in the future. It’s important to remember that 40 years ago, cities like Boston and San Diego weren’t life sciences hubs either — it takes time to develop.

There’s a perception that if you’re not already established, success in the life sciences sector isn’t possible. But that’s simply not true. If you look at major bio manufacturers that have been in the DFW area for decades — companies like AstraZeneca in Coppell or Alcon, which was recently acquired by Novartis in Fort Worth — you’ll see that this region has already supported successful life sciences operations for over 20 years. The foundation is here; now it’s about scaling and capitalizing on those existing assets.

What is your outlook for the region, and what are NexPoint’s top priorities for the next two to three years?

Our top priority at NexPoint is to continue filling the Texas Research Quarter with the right companies — primarily large-scale manufacturers and organizations looking for substantial footprints. We’re focused on attracting graduates from incubator programs like BioLabs and Pegasus Park, companies that have outgrown their early-stage spaces and are searching for a more permanent home.

From a regional perspective, collaboration is key. The North Texas life sciences ecosystem has done an incredible job of staying focused and not duplicating efforts. Everyone involved understands their role — whether it’s Pegasus Park supporting early-stage companies or our efforts at Texas Research Quarter catering to more mature and larger-scale businesses. If we continue to focus on our strengths rather than competing for the same opportunities, we can build the thriving ecosystem we all envision.

Another crucial aspect is staying competitive in terms of incentives. The state of Texas needs to step up and offer more attractive incentives to compete with other states like North Carolina and Massachusetts. Even smaller states, such as New Hampshire, have recently expanded their life sciences incentive programs to attract new companies.

Developing a drug from discovery to commercialization is an incredibly costly process, and companies are looking for every opportunity to reduce expenses. States that provide strong incentive programs are consistently attracting more capital investment and recruitment opportunities. We’ve been working closely with policymakers in Austin and will continue collaborating with our economic development and legislative partners to create the necessary tools to support and grow the life sciences ecosystem in Texas.