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.
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.
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.
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.
2014
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.
2015
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.
2016
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.
2017
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.
2018
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.
2019
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.
2022
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.
2023
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.
2024
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.