About

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About

In a city full of fascinating neighborhoods and trendy developments, the Dallas Design District has carved out an identity all its own. Eclectic yet upscale, the Design District is a key piece of Dallas’ cultural fabric comprised of its namesake interior design showrooms, art galleries, fine dining establishments, and most recently, luxurious apartment homes with a vibrant live-work-play community.

But the Design District has grown to become much more than the design industry, the area is now seeing its first apparel retailers who are selling everything from custom tailored men’s suits to women’s fashion. Art galleries have been migrating to Dragon Street and the farthest corners of the Design District for nearly a decade, making the area the epicenter of the gallery scene in the city, and a place for art lovers to find everything from French Impressionism painting to contemporary installation art. Slocum Street, sandwiched between Dragon to the west and Hi Line to the east, is internationally renowned for its antique shops which still define the street, but Slocum too has diversified in recent years away from predominantly French and classical antiques (although there are still plenty of those to choose from) to also include mid-century modern furniture and just steps away on Howell Street, some of the coolest vintage and thrift shops in the city!

As the Design District continues to expand to the west over the next few years into the new and old Trinity Districts that abut the Trinity River, look for more residential and mixed-use development.

Entertainment options have diversified with the recent addition of a bowling alley and plans for a large outdoor entertainment facility on Irving Blvd. Long term plans originally called for a boutique hotel and the District will finally host their first, Virgin Hotel.

History

Great American cities all share similar characteristics. I'm talking about San Francisco, Boston, New York and even Los Angeles. They all have " pocket neighborhoods". Enclaves of interesting areas that you come across that make you feel like you discovered them yourself. Your own little secret! After exploring them to your content, you enjoy sharing your discovery with your friends. These pocket neighborhoods are never master planned by developers, but they rather evolve slowly, over time, until they become what feels just right. Like a fine wine, this process cannot be rushed. The more pocket neighborhoods a city has, the richer the experience becomes when learning about a new city, or even your own city. The design district is exactly one such destination. It was born in the early 1950's as a cheap area to build showrooms and warehouses in the low lands along the banks of the Trinity river. It has evolved over the last 65 years into one of the coolest urban enclaves in our city. Trammell Crow didn't do it. We didn't do it. It happens over generations, it happens on its very own. And now you can discover it… your own little secret.
What You'll Find Today

The Dallas Design District is where it’s at! Everything cool, everything new, and everything artsy is happening here. Located at the heart of the city, the “Dallas Design District” has come from a “to the trade only” warehouse district to a hip, blossoming community that attracts life and creativity. It’s known as a thriving and eclectic community that offers residents many shops, boutiques, and bistros, as well as access to over 370 shops and art/design showrooms. The Dallas Design District is different! There are no chains or national retailers here. The district, a key piece of Dallas’ cultural fabric, is comprised of its namesake interior design showrooms, art galleries, fine dining establishments, and most recently, luxurious apartments with an overall vibrant live-work-play community. Individuals and wealthy families have even started to snatch up real estate in the high profile area for personal investment and adaptive use projects. Don Henley, the famous musician and member of the renowned band, Eagles, purchased a small non-descript building and has converted it to a personal recording studio. The Karpitas family, a wealthy Greek family who made their forture in the shipping business, purchased 1532 Hi Line Drive in the heart of the Dallas Design District and has completely restored their building by renovating the interior to serve as a private family office and art gallery.
Future of the District

As the Design District continues to expand to the west over the next few years, into the new and old Trinity Districts that abut the Trinity River, look for more residential and mixed-use development. Entertainment options have diversified with the recent addition of a bowling alley and plans for a large outdoor entertainment facility on Irving Boulevard. Long term plans originally called for a boutique hotel so who knows, in a few years the Design District could very well undergo another significant change but one thing is for sure, development doesn’t look to be slowing anytime soon.
District Love

"I’m so impressed, In the 11 years I have been in this center, no one has been as motivating and involved as… Bravo!" - Yvette G., The Bright Group
Hi Line Connector - The Loop Dallas

The Hi Line Connector, a one-mile urban trail, will expand the iconic placemaking of the Katy Trail through Victory Park and the Design District to the Trinity Strand Trail. Learn more at https://theloopdallas.org/trails/hiline-connector/

Press

Sister Property: Laguna Design Center

Laguna Design Center is Southern California’s premier destination for home furnishings and design expertise. LDC provides a beautiful shopping experience for designers and consumers across Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Palm Springs. We invite all to shop and experience the quality and variety of our high end products and design services.

The Laguna Design Center has 40 showrooms and offers truly unique luxury products for every style from chic modern to timeless traditional. Our showrooms proudly carry more than 1500 lines of contemporary, sophisticated, and traditional styles of furniture, fabrics, lighting, wall coverings, flooring, window treatments, mattresses, bedding, tile, fixtures, art, antiques, and accessories of the most exceptional quality.

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