Dallas-based developer Tony Chron learned to tend horses at Abilene Christian University's Allen Farm.

Years later, he is riding herd on a mix-used development at the same location that is transforming a major welcoming point to the city.

Since ground broke in June 2019 on the Allen Ridge Lifestyle Village shopping complex, the north side's restaurant and retail options have expanded.

The 95-acre parcel of land is roughly shaped like a slice of pie, with East Ambler Avenue as the crust and North Judge Ely Boulevard on the southwest side and Interstate 20 access road (East Stamford Street) on the northeast side.

The boardwalk-style shopping complex at the southwest corner has several building nestled along a pond with fountains. The 30,000-square-foot center includes multiple outdoor seating areas, fire pit, playground, trail and event lawn for entertainment.

Also part of Allen Ridge are Coleman County State Bank and Hendrick Urgent Care, both of which opened in the 800 block of East Ambler Avenue to the west.

ACU "needed a front door for recruiting students and staff, and this gives them that," Chron said of the Allen Ridge Lifestyle Village.

On the horizon is The Lofts at Allen Ridge at 2541 N. Judge Ely Blvd., a 241-unit gated apartment community under construction across from Abilene Christian Schools. Target opening is spring.

The Allen Ridge Lifestyle Village is ready to celebrate phrase one Saturday with a family-friendly grand opening and ribbon-cutting.

Why not Abilene?

The rise of Allen Ridge Lifestyle Village over the past three years is a long time in the development world.

Part of the delay is attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic that brought day-to-day activities to a virtual standstill in March 2020. Supply chain disruptions and staffing issues continue to plague construction projects.

"I never would have in my former life been able to stay on a project this long just because the whole thing is to get in and out and get them operating," Chron said.

In reality, though, Allen Ridge Lifestyle Village has been many more years in the making for ACU, from which Chron graduated in 1976.

His former life includes directing real estate ventures for Pier One and The Michaels Company, as well as other acquisition, development and investment projects as an executive with other companies or as principal and founder of Transition Development LLC.

Chron's portfolio includes involvement in the 900-acre Alliance Town Center in far north Fort Worth, a transformative mix-used venture from Hillwood, controlled by the Perot family.

"This would not have happened without Tony Chron," said Kelly Young, vice president at Abilene Christian Investment Management Company (ACIMC) about the Allen Ridge development. "He is one of the best developers in the state of Texas for things like this."

ACIMC is a wholly owned subsidiary of ACU to manage its endowment's energy interests and real estate holdings.

"This one, for me personally, because it's my alma mater and I'm winding my career down, took a special signification," Chron said about the Allen Ridge development. He visited Abilene at least once every two weeks to keep close tabs on the project.

Young, a 1985 ACU graduate, estimates that the development's idea first germinated in 2002 or 2003 after he had returned to his alma mater to become associate chief financial officer, and then later CFO. He previously worked as controller for Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.

As an employee, Young appreciated aesthetic improvements to the campus since he attended in the 1980s. But, he thought the area around the campus was ripe for improvements with restaurants and retailers available around universities in other cities.

In Los Angeles, people drive to mixed-use developments at 5 p.m. and spend all evening for a meal, shopping or relaxing on an outdoor patio enjoying the views, Young said.

"We saw that in other cities and thought, 'Why would we not be able to do that here?', while at the same time realizing we're not a metroplex. So, we had to do it to fit Abilene-sized needs," Young said.

Seeding an idea at Allen Farm

Young shared a few ideas for reimaging Allen Farm with Phil Schubert, who would become ACU president.

Located between the north side of ACU and I-20., the farm was gifted to ACU by S.N. Allen and his wife in the 1940s. It was used until the 1990s by ACU's Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

About 50% of the sloping land is in a floodplain around Rainy Creek.

For the next 10 years, developing Allen Ridge remained an idea discussed periodically, Young said.

Germination took root after administrators approached the ACU Foundation about the project, leading to creation of the limited liability company ARL Retail to own, develop and operate the venture.

Chron came on board in 2015 to assist with the request for proposals process. He then was asked to lead the project, he said.

Chron envisioned a place with restaurants, stores, drought-tolerant landscaping, views and overall vibe that not only accentuated ACU but also drew people from across the city.

Turning a challenge into an amenity

The starting point for transforming the parcel of land was a 50-acre floodplain with pond.

"Rather than letting it be a hindrance, we wanted it to be an amenity, and we think it has been," Young said.

The floodplain was "a tricky challenge," Chron said, "but it gives us an amenity like no other because our views are amazing on the pond side."

Along that pond is the shopping complex of linked buildings with modern industrial facades softened by xeriscaped patios and vibrant murals.

"I brought my really world-class teams of designers out of Dallas that I've used on multiple projects, from the architects to the landscape guys, and introduced them to the university. They're the guys I wanted to use because they get it," Chron said.

Another challenge was convincing potential tenants of the economic viability of Abilene's north side. Much of the city's growth in recent years has been in the opposite direction.

"Convincing restaurants and retailers that the north side of town would be a good place to do this was difficult," Young said. "Convincing them that the look and feel of this was a good thing was not a hard sell at all."

Among the first tenants to open were Phoenix Pho restaurant, a second location for Fuzzy's Taco Shop, HOTWORX fitness center and Abilene Nail Bar. Other tenants are Apricot Lane Boutique, Bahama Bucks, The Biscuit Bar, Summer Moon Oak Roasted Coffee and Twisted Root, which opened this week.

Cork & Pig Tavern, original to San Angelo, is expected to open in January.

"It'll be our only restaurant that you can actually sit at a table and order, so it'll be for your nicer date nights and stuff," Chron said.

The mix of restaurants is intentional.

"We wanted to have a wide variety that people can think whatever they want, they can come down to Allen Ridge and find it," Young said.

And, that means maybe dinner at one location and dessert at another, he said.

Welcomed response

Tenants have embraced the vision, with only one retail spot now available, Chron said.

Customers have gravitated to the complex for not only its tenants but also its playground, trail and patios with such frequency and longevity that a parking lot with 115 spaces was built across the street, he said.

"I want the children begging their parents to come here. I've walked out there, and grandmothers told me they were here Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The kids are bringing them," Chron said.

"There were stroller moms here a week ago that had an event here. They were all over this place walking around our trail. Where else in Abilene are you going to do that in the same way?"

Anecdotal reactions show ACU alumni have embraced the evolution of their alma mater's neighborhood, Young said.

"It was what we hoped for, we just didn't know if it would really pan out, and so we've been very pleased that it has met our expectations," Young said.

Additions to Allen Ridge Lifestyle Village will include a hotel on the north side of the pond and a proposed senior living facility west of the East Ambler Avenue and North Judge Ely Boulevard intersection.

"We're not in a hurry. We've owned this since the 1940s," Young said. "... We want it to be done right more than to be done quickly, but we do have a master plan. We would like to bring in more retail, probably some entertainment of some kind."

Allen Ridge Lifestyle Village grand opening celebration

When: Saturday

Where: Corner of East Ambler Avenue and North Judge Ely Boulevard

What: Festivities kick off at 11:30 a.m. with a ribbon cutting, followed by activities throughout the day free to the public, including face-painting, storybook characters, balloon art and scavenger hunt. Closing out the activities is a 6 p.m. concert.

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: ACU's Allen Ridge Lifestyle Village draws traffic to north Abilene