Cottonwood Valley is a gated golf community in Las Colinas, Irving, known for homes set along an 18-hole golf course, rolling terrain with skyline views and a central location between Dallas and Fort Worth. Developed in the 1980s, it has about 450 homes ranging from smaller ranch houses to large estates, many along the Cottonwood Valley course, according to a May 2023 D Magazine feature. It is one of several residential neighborhoods within Las Colinas, the master-planned development that began on former ranch land in 1972.
At The Agency Dallas, our agents work with buyers and sellers across Dallas and the mid-cities. This guide covers what Cottonwood Valley offers and what buyers and sellers should know.
Where is Cottonwood Valley?
Cottonwood Valley sits within Las Colinas in Irving, about midway between downtown Dallas and downtown Fort Worth. Las Colinas was one of the earliest large planned communities in the country. At its largest, the development covered more than 12,000 acres, and today it includes about 3,400 single-family homes along with major office campuses, the Mandalay Canal and the Toyota Music Factory area.
The location is a draw for:
- Executives working in the Las Colinas office corridor, which hosts many corporate headquarters
- Frequent travelers, given quick access to both DFW International Airport and Dallas Love Field
- Buyers who split time between Dallas and Fort Worth
- Golfers who want a course at the doorstep
For more on choosing a neighborhood around where you work, see how to choose a DFW neighborhood based on where you will work.
What makes Cottonwood Valley distinctive?
- Golf course setting. Many homes sit along the 18-hole Cottonwood Valley course, part of the resort and sports club complex in Las Colinas.
- Gated entry. The neighborhood is gated, adding privacy in a busy part of the metroplex.
- Range of homes. About 450 homes span modest ranch-style houses to large estates, giving buyers several price points within one community.
- Views. Rolling terrain means some homes have views of multiple skylines.
- Established landscaping. Developed in the 1980s, the neighborhood has mature trees and a settled feel.
How does Cottonwood Valley compare with other Las Colinas neighborhoods?
Las Colinas includes several residential areas with different characters:
- University Hills predates the larger Las Colinas development, with construction beginning in 1963 around Las Colinas Country Club.
- Fox Glen dates to the mid-1970s, with about 100 homes on large lots, nearly all with some golf course frontage.
- Cottonwood Valley followed in the 1980s with its own course and a broader range of home sizes.
- Other neighborhoods, including Hackberry Creek and The Lakes of Las Colinas, add additional options.
What should buyers know before buying in Cottonwood Valley?
- Golf access. Owning a home along the course does not automatically include playing privileges. Ask about current club membership options and costs.
- Golf course lots. Check fencing rules, easements and stray-ball exposure on course-side lots.
- HOA layers. Las Colinas has a master association as well as neighborhood-level associations. Review dues, rules and reserves for each. See how HOA fees work in North Texas.
- Age and systems. Homes from the 1980s may need major updates. Match inspection scope to the age of the house.
- School assignment. Las Colinas spans more than one school district. Confirm the district and campuses for the specific address.
How should Cottonwood Valley sellers price and prepare?
With a wide range of home sizes inside one gate, sellers need comparables that match their home's size, lot and course position, not neighborhood averages. A practical plan:
- Price against closed sales of similar homes inside the gate and in comparable gated golf communities nearby
- Update or disclose dated systems before buyers' inspectors find them
- Show the course setting and views clearly in marketing
- Reach relocating executives, who are a natural audience given the nearby headquarters
For pricing approaches when comparable sales are thin, see how luxury homes get valued when there are few comparable sales.
Who buys in Cottonwood Valley?
Cottonwood Valley appeals to executives working in the Las Colinas office corridor, frequent travelers who want quick access to both major airports, golfers and buyers who split time between Dallas and Fort Worth. Its range of home sizes also draws downsizers who want a gated setting in a smaller home and move-up buyers looking for an estate within the same gate. Because Las Colinas hosts many corporate offices, relocation demand helps keep buyer interest steady through the year. Buyers relocating for work should tour at commute hours to confirm drive times to the office and airport.
When comparing Cottonwood Valley with other gated golf communities, buyers often look at dues, course access, home age and lot position side by side. A home on a quiet interior street may suit a family better than a course-side lot, while golfers may pay more for frontage. Listing the features that matter most before touring makes the comparison faster and clearer.
How The Agency Dallas works in Las Colinas
The Agency Dallas is an independently owned North Texas luxury real estate brokerage serving buyers and sellers across Dallas-Fort Worth, with a Relocation division for executives and families moving to the area. Our agents prepare written valuations, and our in-house marketing team builds the campaign for each listing. For companies drawing employees to the area, see which companies are moving to DFW in 2026 and where their employees live.
Frequently asked questions
What is Cottonwood Valley in Las Colinas known for?
Cottonwood Valley is known for its gated setting along the 18-hole Cottonwood Valley golf course in Las Colinas. Developed in the 1980s, it has about 450 homes ranging from ranch-style houses to large estates, with rolling terrain that gives some homes skyline views.
Is Cottonwood Valley gated?
Yes. Cottonwood Valley is a gated community within Las Colinas in Irving. Gate procedures can affect showings, inspections and contractor access, so buyers and sellers should check current rules with the neighborhood association before scheduling visits or work.
How many homes are in Cottonwood Valley?
A May 2023 D Magazine feature put the count at about 450 homes. Las Colinas as a whole has about 3,400 single-family homes across several neighborhoods, including University Hills, Fox Glen, Hackberry Creek and The Lakes of Las Colinas.
When was Las Colinas developed?
Development of Las Colinas began in 1972 on former family ranch land, making it one of the earliest large planned communities in the United States. At its largest it covered more than 12,000 acres. The Las Colinas Association was founded in 1973.
Does buying in Cottonwood Valley include golf membership?
No, not automatically. The course is part of the resort and sports club complex, and membership is handled separately from home ownership. Buyers who want to play should ask the club about membership categories, costs and any waitlist before buying.
Sources: D Magazine, Las Colinas 50th anniversary home tour preview, May 2023; Wikipedia, Las Colinas, Irving, Texas. Accessed October 30, 2026.
