70. Dallas Rose on Mileta, Midland Station, and the Making of a Modern Lexington

DevelopLex

In this episode of DevelopLex, we sit down with Dallas Rose, a Lexington native whose bold approach to real estate and hospitality is helping redefine what’s possible for the city. From launching Mileta, one of Lexington’s most ambitious new restaurants, to co-developing Midland Station, a transformative downtown housing project, Dallas shares his vision for building a modern Lexington rooted in culture, creativity, and long-term growth.Whether he’s assembling complex capital stacks or crafting a pasta-forward menu, Dallas brings together national experience and local love to push Lexington forward. We explore why the city is ripe for next-level development, how public-private partnerships can unlock real opportunity, and why Lexington doesn’t have to lose its soul to grow.

---Core Themes Discussed:Lexington’s Untapped Potential: The city has all the ingredients to be world-class - it just needs bold leadership and smart development.Visionary Entrepreneurship: Dallas blends private equity strategy with a passion for culture-building through restaurants and real estate.Challenges of Local Development: Generational land ownership and fragmented parcels make it hard to build here - but that’s changing.Public-Private Collaboration: How tools like IRBs and PILOTs can drive large-scale projects like Midland Station.Preserving Identity While Growing: Growth doesn't mean giving up what makes Lexington special - especially its horse farms and historic charm.---Highlights:Why Fayette Mall was a strategic move for Mileta (not a gamble)A behind-the-scenes look at Midland Station and what makes it transformativeWhat IOS (Industrial Outdoor Storage) is—and why it’s a niche worth watchingHow Lexington compares to Sunbelt markets Dallas invested in at Goldman SachsWhy the next wave of developers must balance risk with long-term cultural investment---Guest Bio:Dallas Rose is the founder of Jade Investments, co-owner of Mileta, and a development partner on Midland Station. After years in real estate private equity at Goldman Sachs and Marlin Spring, he returned to Lexington to help shape its next chapter - with a plate in one hand and a site plan in the other.Hosted by Weston Lockhart & Ross BoggessDevelopLex is proud to be supported by:SVN Stone Commercial Real EstateCommunity Trust BankCraftsman Contractors