Investor Mike Hoque has bought 15 acres on downtown Dallas’ near south side.

A Dallas investor who has recently purchased several blocks in downtown Dallas has snapped up another large property south of the central business district.

Dallas restaurateur and entrepreneur Mike Hoque has purchased about 15 acres on Corinth Street at Cesar Chavez Boulevard for redevelopment.

The purchase includes the shuttered Pilgrim's Pride plant south of downtown. The chicken processing plant closed in 2011.

Hoque, who owns several successful downtown restaurants and businesses, said he wants to redevelop the land as a mixed-use project. He's talking with builders about a variety of projects.

"It took us almost 27 months to assemble on the land," Hoque said. "We have been talking to townhome developers, office developers and breweries. We saw an opportunity to be next to the Farmers Market and close to downtown. And be near Deep Ellum."

Hoque said with real estate prices rising in other close-in neighborhoods he felt the purchase on downtown's near south side was ideal.

"There is an opportunity to build affordable housing there," he said. "A lot of people are being pushed out of Deep Ellum because rents for apartments and art studios are going up. It's the same thing in the Design District."

The area along Corinth is seeing a new interest in development.

Developer Saeed Mahboubi just paid the Dallas Independent School District more than $1.2 million for the historic Lamar School building. He's going to convert it into apartments.

And developer Zad Roumaya is building apartment and retail on the north side of Corinth at Akard Street.

Houston builder Frank Liu, meanwhile, is working on a large townhouse project next door on Lamar St. just north of Corinth.

Early this year, Hoque bought up three blocks near Dallas' City Hall now used for parking. Hoque said he's holding the property for future development.

"Mike Hoque has been a stalwart force in the revitalization of downtown starting with his commitment over the last 10 years in bringing retail and restaurants to the urban core," said John Crawford with Downtown Dallas Inc. " His commitment to this site and others in the center city is a welcome addition based on his previous successes."

Hoque owns several successful eateries including Dallas Fish Market, Chop House Burger, Dallas Chop House and Wild Salsa.

In 2015, Hoque's FAQ Capital LLC bought the 27-story Adolphus Tower on Main Street. He's been working to remodel the 62-year-old downtown Dallas tower.

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