A man wearing a wide-brimmed hat working on a brick building, possibly installing or repairing a window or wall.

1950s

Voy Wilks and his wife raised five children in a simple goat shed on 160 acres of undeveloped land in Cisco, Texas. When his boss refused his request for a raise, Voy realized he needed to find a new way to support his family. A high school was being built nearby, and they needed bricklayers. Despite never having laid a brick in his life, Wilks applied for the job and quickly taught himself the skills required for the trade. This pivotal moment—Voy’s decision to pursue bricklaying—ignited a passion for the trade that his family would carry on for years to come.

Construction site with scaffolding, a crane labeled 'Wilkins Masonry Corp', and a building under construction with exposed brick walls and an outdoor stairwell.

1970s-2011

Voy incorporated two of his children, Farris and Dan Wilks, into his masonry work, unknowingly passing along the knowledge they would use to establish a business together. As a mason, Farris followed the jobs across Texas and Oklahoma, taking his wife, JoAnn, and 11 children with him—including a young Josh and Kyle. Every few months, when a job was finished and a new one took its place, everyone would pack up and migrate to their next temporary home. After years of working separately, Dan and Farris joined forces and formed Wilks Masonry Corporation in 1995.

Black and white photo of the entrance to a modern office building titled 'Advancial Tower'; large glass doors and windows, two large potted plants outside, illuminated sidewalk, street lights in the background, and trees reflected in the windows.

2012

Following the sale of the Wilks family’s hydraulic fracturing and oil field services company, Frac Tech, brothers Kyle and Josh Wilks founded Wilks Development with their cousin, Jess Green, in 2012. Rooted in generations of craftsmanship and a passion for building communities, the company was created to develop places that create lasting value. Shortly thereafter, Wilks Development acquired its first property, Advancial Tower, an 18-story Class A office building in Uptown Dallas.

Aerial view of a suburban neighborhood with houses, roads, and parked cars, extending to a landscape with open fields and a highway in the background.

2013

Wilks Development expanded into Parker County with the acquisition of its first property in Willow Park, Texas. There, the company developed The Villages at Crown Park, a 208-unit apartment community and 50-unit townhome neighborhood, reflecting its early commitment to creating places people are proud to call home.

Aerial view of an industrial park with multiple warehouses under construction, surrounded by open fields and farmland.

2014

Black and white photo of an old building with a tall tower, arched entryway, and a sign that reads "Public Market". The entrance is boarded up with plywood, and there are steps leading up to it.

Wilks Development continued growing its Texas footprint with the acquisition of 201 acres in southwest Fort Worth, where it began developing Markum Business Park, a thoughtfully planned business community designed to support economic growth and opportunity. The company also developed industrial and office space in Aledo, Texas, while making a significant investment in Fort Worth's future through the acquisition of the historic Fort Worth Public Market—an iconic landmark with deep roots in the community.

A black and white landscape scene of a river or lake with surrounding trees and bushes, under a cloudy sky.

2015

A modern multi-story residential apartment building with a combination of stone and siding exterior, multiple windows, balconies, and an outdoor staircase.

Driven by a vision for creating connected, long-term communities, Wilks Development acquired 160 acres at the southwest corner of the Dallas North Tollway and U.S. 380 in Frisco, Texas—the future home of Firefly Park. The company also completed The Reserves at 700, a 180-unit multifamily community in Big Spring, Texas.

Black and white photo of a communications tower with antennas on top, standing on a metal frame structure, with trees and a building in the background.

2016

Empty outdoor seating area under a covered structure, with a view of a grassy field and distant trees.

Wilks Development acquired 139 acres in Willow Park, Texas, at the former Trinity Meadows Racetrack site to create Willow Park North, the company's first master-planned community. Designed to bring together housing, retail, restaurant, entertainment, and commercial opportunities, Willow Park North embodied the company's vision of creating connected places where people can live, work, gather, and thrive.

A parking lot with few cars and tall light poles, adjacent to a shopping mall or commercial complex with a few small trees and landscaped areas, surrounded by open land with hills and a residential area in the background.

2017

Black and white photo of a busy outdoor shopping or dining area with people walking, seated at tables, and a building in the background with signs for Sunny Street Cafe and Street Cafe. There are string lights hanging above and a large modern shade structure in the foreground.

Construction was completed on The Shops at Willow Park (60,000 SF) and the first phase of Willow Park North, bringing new retail, services, and amenities to one of Parker County's fastest-growing communities and advancing the company's vision for a walkable, connected destination.

A black and white photo of a Holiday Inn Express hotel building with signs on the wall, windows, and a cloudy sky in the background.

2018

Black and white aerial view of a rural industrial area with multiple buildings, a parking lot, and open fields in the background.

Wilks Development expanded its portfolio across multiple markets, adding new industrial and flex-office developments in Fort Worth, Marshall, and El Reno. The company also completed its first hospitality and recreational projects in West Texas, broadening its ability to serve communities through a diverse range of real estate experiences.

Black and white photo of a modern multi-story apartment building with balconies, brick and siding exterior, and a landscaped front yard.

2019

A playground with swings, a climbing dome, a car-shaped play structure, and palm trees, enclosed by a fence, under a cloudy sky.

Development began on Phase Two of Willow Park North, including The Gates at Meadow Place, a 208-unit multifamily community designed to meet the area's growing demand for quality housing. The company also continued investing in West Texas through the development of its second RV park.

A lively outdoor event at a multi-story building with people gathering, sitting on chairs, and walking on a sunny day. Flags are flying on the building's roof, and signs and banners are visible, indicating a community or festival event.

2022

A black Cadillac SUV parked in front of a modern apartment building with stone and stucco exterior, cloudy sky, and a parking lot with a yellow caution tape reading "FIRE LANE NO" and a Texas license plate.

Wilks Development partnered with Abilene Christian University to begin development of The Lofts at Allen Ridge, a multifamily community designed to support the continued growth and vitality of the surrounding area.

The company also broke ground on The District at Willow Park, a 27,000+ SF first-of-its-kind restaurant and entertainment destination for Parker County, designed to provide a gathering place where residents, families, and visitors can connect through shared experiences.

Black and white photo of a historic brick building with an arch and decorative elements, with a large sign reading 'Public Market' above the entrance. Two vintage cars are parked in front of the building.

2023

People breaking ground in front of a historic building with vintage cars, involved in a ceremonial event.

Wilks Development celebrated the groundbreaking for the restoration of the historic Fort Worth Public Market, advancing a long-term commitment to preserving one of Fort Worth's most significant landmarks while reimagining it for future generations.

The project also introduced The Harden at Public Market, a multifamily community named in honor of the market's original developer, John J. Harden, further connecting the property's future to its rich history.

Black and white aerial view of an under-construction area with dirt roads, construction vehicles, and equipment, with a highway and urban area in the background.

2024

Black and white image of modern cityscape with tall buildings, a river, and parks with trees.

Wilks Development commenced construction on Firefly Park, a 217-acre mixed-use destination centered around a 45-acre park. Designed to bring together residential, hospitality, office, retail, dining, entertainment, and public gathering spaces, Firefly Park represents the company's vision of creating places where everyday moments become lasting memories.