Korean Express #2 in El Paso, TX

Korean Express #2 is a 2,600 square foot tenant improvement project located at 7722 Paseo Del Norte Blvd, Suite A, in Northwest El Paso. The renovation is being undertaken by Tommy Hwang inside the existing Paseo Del Norte Building shell. The filing, registered with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) in February 2025, lists an estimated cost of $180,000, or $69 per square foot.

The project was scheduled to begin construction in March 2025 with a planned completion date of July 2025. Fan Studio Architect PLLC serves as the design firm of record, and Eckhard Fennig is the registered accessibility specialist. PDN BK LLC is the owner of record, a developer that also registered a Tropical Smoothie Cafe project in El Paso County. The work is privately funded on private land.

Scope and Local Context

The scope is strictly defined as tenant improvement for new restaurant space. At $180,000, the cost is close to the median of $204,000 for similar renovation filings in El Paso County. The 2,600 square foot size is below the county median of 3,500 square feet, while the $69 per square foot cost is close to the median of $66. The 122-day build window is also close to the county median of 120 days.

PDN BK LLC has one other TDLR-registered project totaling $350,000, which is closed. Fan Studio Architect PLLC has six other registered projects totaling $1,235,000, including work at 9477 Dryer and George Dieter Plaza. The surrounding area includes established food service businesses such as Wingstop, Church's Texas Chicken, and BOSS Tenders, Dogs & Custard.

TDLR completed plan review in February 2025 and construction was scheduled to finish in July 2025; TDLR has not yet recorded a final inspection, so the current state of the site is not confirmed in the public record. The project status remains listed as Review Complete in the public registry.