DTD: 1600 Main Street

[FoUTASportscaster]

Was out for an evening stroll today and it looks like another low-rise building is in the process of being rehabbed. This is between the Joule and O-Bar.

[BigD5349]

^Here's a couple of shots from yesterday... workers removing the beige panels from the facade....

[jsoto3]

Isn't that where La Duni is supposed to be coming in?

[Dr. Thunder]

I heard that it's going to be La Duni on the right and a new deli on the left.

[FoUTASportscaster]

Yeah, more restaurants. :(

[MarkL2023]

Why the sad face? DT is still in a stage where anything opening is a huge positive.

[FoUTASportscaster]

No, there are plenty of restaurants to chose from at this point with little else. I can come up with 20 restaurants just on Main Street, but little of anything else.

For a truely pedestrian experience, there has to be a mix of offerings. That's one reason malls are successful. They have people to make sure there is a variety and mix of retail offerings. If we continue at the pace we are in, Main Street will be viable during lunch and dinner hours, further complicating bringing in a variety.

[amshepar]

a deli would be a great addition downtown. there is currently nothing by way of fresh sandwiches downtown. Which wich and subway are good but the meat is not sliced after ordering like a true deli. A little bit like NM Cafe but with bigger meat/bread/cheese selection. La Duni and a deli will bring good change to what is available on Main Street too. Currently there are 2 italian places, 2 mexican, 2 greek, and 2 bars that serve lunch, plus which wich and Luqa.

[Mballar]

:director: How about a real news stand, convenience store, floral shop, dry cleaners, coffee shop, bookstore? Can we get some hot dog vendors DT, too. I think they would make a killing. . .Now that I think about it, maybe I'll start a fleet of my own. :inclouds:

[gshelton91]

I may catch crap for this and i know it is purely personal opinion but... seems to me that with all the restaurants none are really killer places... (noted exceptions of the high end ones)

Restaurants like: Mi Cocina, Patrizios, Fireside Pies, Monica's,

i am not saying these should move downtown... just saying we really need a restaurant that people will drive downtown to dine in.

[BigD5349]

I think the dynamic will change when the Merc comes on-line, the parks are built, and Mosaic/Metropolitan/Republic/3rd Rail fill up with residents.

I do agree that we need "something to do" other than eat and drink. And drink some more. :)

[jsoto3]

Can we get some hot dog vendors DT, too. I think they would make a killing. . .Now that I think about it, maybe I'll start a fleet of my own. :inclouds:
There has been a hot dog vendor at the NE corner of Pacific and Ervay (just outside RTKL's front door) for almost two months now. He has polish sausages as well.

[Tnekster]

There has been a hot dog vendor at the NE corner of Pacific and Ervay (just outside RTKL's front door) for almost two months now. He has polish sausages as well.

Does he have Slots Hots?

[Spjz]

No, there are plenty of restaurants to chose from at this point with little else. I can come up with 20 restaurants just on Main Street, but little of anything else.

For a truely pedestrian experience, there has to be a mix of offerings. That's one reason malls are successful. They have people to make sure there is a variety and mix of retail offerings. If we continue at the pace we are in, Main Street will be viable during lunch and dinner hours, further complicating bringing in a variety.

Unfortunately the kind of small retail businesses that DT should have are being driven out of business by Big Box stores and the internet. I live near Bishop Arts and I hardly ever go into the shops down there. The restaurants I frequent all the time.

[DalLove444]

No, there are plenty of restaurants to chose from at this point with little else. I can come up with 20 restaurants just on Main Street, but little of anything else.
Agreed. I think its because some years ago, either the City of Dallas or former Central Dallas assoc. (now DOWNTOWNDALLAS) (or both) was restricting the types of retail that can come into Main st via incentives and using some sort of point system determining which types of retail were eligible for these incentives.

Dont take my word for it, but thats the reason i feel we have few types of retail such as restaurants. I could be wrong, feel free to add something :)

[Dr. Thunder]

a deli would be a great addition downtown. there is currently nothing by way of fresh sandwiches downtown. Which wich and subway are good but the meat is not sliced after ordering like a true deli. A little bit like NM Cafe but with bigger meat/bread/cheese selection. La Duni and a deli will bring good change to what is available on Main Street too. Currently there are 2 italian places, 2 mexican, 2 greek, and 2 bars that serve lunch, plus which wich and Luqa.

Lenny's has the best Roast Beef sandwich in town!

[amshepar]

there are 2 hot dog stands now downtown. One is by Iron Cactus. The other is by Beyond the Box. I do agree that once the Merc is done, and Bank One Center's interior redo is done, then you will see quite a bit of retail/restaurant expansion. There is quite a bit of retail in the tunnels though that most people miss/unaware of. There are two convenient stores in the tunnels, and the one at 1700 pacific has a great selection of cards. Also, in that building is a starbucks, taco bell, a&w, subway. Too bad they are not open later though.

With all this development downtown, dallas is going to have to revamp public transportation from uptown to downtown (the trolley system). it would be great to be able to hop on the trolley from west village and be dropped off at the Pearl or St. Paul light rail stations. It would make it easier to attract someone to come eat downtown and not have to valet or pay for parking just to go eat.

[FoUTASportscaster]

Lenny's has the best Roast Beef sandwich in town!

Lenny's was the first thing that came to mind too, though it does close at 6.


I do agree that once the Merc is done, and Bank One Center's interior redo is done, then you will see quite a bit of retail/restaurant expansion. There is quite a bit of retail in the tunnels though that most people miss/unaware of. There are two convenient stores in the tunnels, and the one at 1700 pacific has a great selection of cards. Also, in that building is a starbucks, taco bell, a&w, subway. Too bad they are not open later though.[quote]

We have enough restaurants now to accommodate all the things above. We need a variety of other things to make downtown a vibrant scene, similar to West Village. The tunnels don't help, though that is a discussion for a different thread.

[quote]With all this development downtown, dallas is going to have to revamp public transportation from uptown to downtown (the trolley system). it would be great to be able to hop on the trolley from west village and be dropped off at the Pearl or St. Paul light rail stations. It would make it easier to attract someone to come eat downtown and not have to valet or pay for parking just to go eat.

Agreed. MATA is around the corner from beginning its expansion down Olive near Pearl Station.

[cowboyeagle05]

It seems they have started another level of work on this building. I was walking down Main Street which was rather active tonight and they have built a wood framed structure about 2 feet in front of the current stucco like facade. It hangs over the street but it looks like they are going to build a fake facade in front of the current one kinda like a Wild West Movie set. I am not sure about this at all but maybe they are just trying to make it look nicer since its next to the new only Dallas designer hotel the Joule.

They took down the La Duni signage a while ago but who owns this building does the Oil tycoon that paid for the Joule Hotel own it and wants it to become a better neighbor? I personally would love to see La Duni actually open in Downtown. They are a home grown business that I would love more people to see as a showcase of Dallas culture and small business. Main Street will continue to be showcase to Dallas visitors in town for what ever the event so I would support establishing a La Duni cafe on our showcase street and people can further discover the larger La Duni and bigger Dallas culture past just Main Street as they choose.

Saying all that I agree with FoUTASportscaster past comments about diversifying between these semi-showcase restaurants and neighborhood services and retail. I do think that Main Street when filled up will change dramatically in its usage as it eventually becomes more of a retail shopping zone and daytime lunch and dinner street while side streets like where the Urban Market is will have more neighborhood services along with the regular reasonably priced restaurants whether chain or homegrown business.

Right now I expect they all will benefit locating near each other in a focused area to encourage all kinds of pedestrian activity day or night. I even think within ten years that CVS might move to another space not on Main Street and a more destination retailer might take the main street space. Not because a lack of business but because Main Street will be the destination and most other streets surrounding will be more neighborhood.

Main Street store front space will eventually cost more once its established as a regional destination which is what some groups are pushing for. Also as there will be even more in the loop residents feeding neighborhood services retailers and they do not have to be so clumped together on one main street to remain in business.

[DallasMan]

^wait, so is La Duni not opening on Main? I realize its been forever since it was announced, but i just assumed it was a long-term announcement.

[palchik]

LaDuni has shut down its DFW Airport location (in the new international Terminal D).

[monogodo]

No, there are plenty of restaurants to chose from at this point with little else. I can come up with 20 restaurants just on Main Street, but little of anything else.

For a truely pedestrian experience, there has to be a mix of offerings. That's one reason malls are successful. They have people to make sure there is a variety and mix of retail offerings. If we continue at the pace we are in, Main Street will be viable during lunch and dinner hours, further complicating bringing in a variety.
Yes, there has to be a mix of offerings. Most of the restaurants on Main between Ervay & Field that I can think of are either Italian or Mexican cuisine. Another restaurant with a different cuisine would be very welcome, especially if it has a reasonably priced menu.

[Tierdallas]

Sorry if i'm off topic but whats happening with 1400 main st prev. Euphoria

[elmstreetdallas]

Sorry if i'm off topic but whats happening with 1400 main st prev. Euphoria


It looks like a new club is going in that space.

[Tierdallas]

Jazz , Blues or salsa? we need a venue like that. 1400 is a pretty big space.

[elmstreetdallas]

Not sure what kind of club it's going to be, but the sign in the window says the name of the club is "Posh." So it wouldn't be surprising if it's similar to Obar and Mantus.

[aygriffith]

So from the looks of it on Monday, 1600 Main is well on its way to being demolished. 1600 is the storefront that The Joule covered with the Joule purple covering. They've partially removed some of the top purple boards and you can see through the windows on the 2nd floor of the building and through to the sky. So there is no more roof on the building. I didn't walk around to Commerce to see if theres a back to the building but judging from the demolition company trucks outside I don't think there is going to be any more of 1600 to speak of.

While it may have been in bad shape, I really hope it isn't now the Joule's new valet lot right on Main St. The last thing Main St needs is Valets trying to pull cars in and out of a lot on a overcrowded Main St weekend night. It took such a long time to get rid of the last lot on Main St between Harwood and Griffin where the CVS/Jason Deli lofts now are. Guess that was a short lived experience...

[cowboyeagle05]

Its possible they are planning to rebuild the historical facade. An example in Downtown Garland right now a historical one story building removed the stucco 70/80's facade that was a past modernization from the exterior. After doing so the old historical brick mortar was like butter and the stucco work was basically the only thing holding it together. So they took the facade down brick by brick and rebuilt it with new mortar to look like the original facade, soon it will be reopening as a Coffee shop on the Historic Downtown Square.

We already know the Joule hotel was paid for by an energy baron whats his next step. I honestly don't think he would build in a driveway in its place. I think he would rather lure a leaser that adds more value to the hotel like the original planned La Duni Cafe or a exclusive retailer maybe.

I'll catch some video tomorrow while I'm downtown of what work is being done.

[dfwcre8tive]

I noticed the lack of roof tonight too. Perhaps they will restore the front facade wall and rebuild behind it (like what was done in Sundance Square). I hope a good bar/restaurant goes in the former Obar space.

While they are at it they should buy the connected 1604 Main and make that additional hotel rooms or Joule apartments :)

[dfwcre8tive]

Well, today the facade is on its way out too. It looks like the whole building will be gone very soon. Is this where the Joule's spa will go?

[aygriffith]

I don't believe the Joule owns that lot. The same people who own 1600 own also own 1604 too I believe... Westmount Reality (or something like that). Its the people who owned Riverside Commons in Las Colinas and made quite a bit of money selling it to their tennant, RIM for their NA HQ.

They even said on their own website they were holding those properties till something better materialized. Hopefully its truly something better.

And to those who said it couldn't be a Valet lot... never underestimate a hotelier's desire to make sure all things are convenient to his guests. The guest's decision may factor more of its a pain to get my vehicle back than it does with if theres a continuous facade along Main St.

[dfwcre8tive]

I thought it was owned by Tim Headington, the same person who developed the Joule.

[cowboyeagle05]

A friend took this picture recently
http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/5840/joule.jpg (http://img43.imageshack.us/my.php?image=joule.jpg)

[DalLove444]

:mad: ANOTHER TEAR DOWN FOR A SURFACE LOT!!! :mad: OMG

[NThomas]

If I'm reading this right, the city just spent $1.5 million in TIF for this building in '04?

Check out page 5 (G-49 in the footer) in this pdf (http://www.dallascityhall.com/pdf/FY05AdoptedBudget/Capital/EconomicDevelopment.pdf) from dallascityhall.com.

[tamtagon]

I keep confusing 1600 Main with 1600/1604 Elm... :2orbit:

[Dbadger]

I thought it was owned by Tim Headington, the same person who developed the Joule.
You are right. He does.
According to the front desk, this area will be built out for more space for the hotel functions.
It will also house their future Spa.
It will not be a parking lot.

[cowboyeagle05]

Well we look forward to seeing the design of the new addition.

[lakewoodhobo]

Does anyone know how the Joule is doing financially? I guess they can't be hurting much if they're expanding into the space next door.

[xen0blue]

You are right. He does.
According to the front desk, this area will be built out for more space for the hotel functions.
It will also house their future Spa.
It will not be a parking lot.

This is great news...is it going to be a high-rise or are they just re-building the existing building? so many questions...

[SDORN]

another old building or remains to be photographed.

[dfwcre8tive]

If it's any higher than the current building it would wall in the guest room windows of the Joule, so it's probably only 2-3 floors. Wonder what they will do with the former Obar space and back patio.

[cowboyeagle05]

I can not find the thread but the in Retail spaces between the Magnolia Hotel and Neimans Parking Lot now have a new "Now Leasing" sign up on the building.

[SDORN]

Hey DFW You used to take lot f great shop now I haven't seen many. I don't get into Dalllas often enough, can you tote your cam and take some pix for us. Now back to topic 1600 main.

[slaurel]

I took these a couple of days ago... From the back, through the Neiman valet lot and from the front on Main St.

[dfwcre8tive]

Since Tim Headington is the man behind this and the Joule, maybe he could create space here to display the Mercantile murals that he saved during demolition. Or, maybe that's better suited for a small gallery in the Arts District.

[cowboyeagle05]

Since Tim Headington is the man behind this and the Joule, maybe he could create space here to display the Mercantile murals that he saved during demolition. Or, maybe that's better suited for a small gallery in the Arts District.

Or sadly it might be that the mosaic murals will be incorporated into the inside of the coming spa for those high paying customers to view only. The Mosaic Murals did depict some of the local energy industry so considering the hotel theme is Joule(energy) they would fit in rather nicely as decorations for a spa.

[BigD5349]

Any updates here? I noticed they put up a wall of plywood facing Main Street. Hope they get moving on construction soon.