There are so many great places to live in Dallas that it helps to have an expert on your side. The Neighborhood Guide presented by Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty gives you insider access from the agents who live and work there, providing in-the-know info about your possible new community.

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When Melissa Frantz-Ellerman, Global Real Estate Advisor with Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty, moved to the Knox area in 2020, it didn't take her long to fall in love with this Dallas neighborhood. Coming from a 26-year real estate career in Atlanta, she now sings the praises of the Knox District to her friends, family, and clients.

"I love the sense of community in this area, the small-town feel in the middle of a large metro area," Frantz-Ellerman says. "Plus there's the Katy Trail, lots of local restaurants and shops, and it's adjacent to Highland Park."

Knox Street is a vibrant lifestyle destination, offering a unique and elevated vision with more than 80 shops and restaurants — all just steps away from the Katy Trail.

"From chic retail brands to one of Dallas’ most exciting dining scenes, the undeniably energetic and outgoing Knox Street neighborhood is where live, work, and play seamlessly converge," she says. "A curated collection of the trendiest names in fashion, home decor, and wellness are anchored by truly distinct local boutiques and eateries that have continued to welcome generations of patrons."

Frantz-Ellerman describes this energetic area as welcoming, manicured, and safe — so safe, in fact, that she sold her son, a 2021 SMU graduate, a townhome right in the heart of the Knox District.

Frantz-Ellerman offered up a few of her personal favorites about life in the Knox District. Here's her guide to the area:

Where to eat & drink
Distinct dining is at the core of Knox Street's vivacious culture, posting an extremely elevated collection of revered restaurants and cocktail bars, each bringing individuality and an unparalleled experience.

Opening January 29, 2027, The Knox marks the first Dallas property for Auberge, the ultra-luxe hospitality group behind Austin's Commodore Perry Estate, Fort Worth's Bowie House, and celebrated destinations in Aspen and Napa Valley. Designed by the acclaimed Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, the hotel will feature 140 rooms and suites, along with two- and three-bedroom residential-style accommodations for longer stays. The larger development will also connect the Katy Trail directly to Knox Street through a pedestrian passage and a half-acre park.

Among the most anticipated dining arrivals is Sant Ambroeus, the iconic Italian café founded in Milan in 1936. Its first Texas location will bring an all-day European café experience to Knox, complete with espresso, pastries, cocktails, pasta, and gelato. Whether stopping in for a morning cappuccino or settling in for dinner, it promises to become a neighborhood favorite.

Other exciting additions are on the way. The Main House, a new neighborhood restaurant from the team behind il Bracco, will bring Kennedy-era Americana vibes to the former Mashburn space in 2027. Théa Mediterranean Rooftop is also slated to open in 2027, bringing its signature Mediterranean-inspired dining and rooftop atmosphere to Dallas.

For something more casual, El Camino Royale, from Katz Bros. Hospitality (Beverley's, Clifton Club, and Green Point), is bringing a new Tex-Mex concept near the Knox Hotel and Katy Trail. And sports fans can look forward to Victory Tap, a Lombardi Concepts sports bar that has transformed the former Mar Y Sol space.

Wellness-minded diners will have another reason to celebrate with Sunlife Organics, the Malibu-born superfood café expected by the end of 2026. Its menu will feature cold-pressed juices, acai bowls, coffee, and wellness shots.

Of course, Melissa has her established neighborhood favorites, too. Rose Café at The Terminal remains her home away from home. She loves its warm, inviting atmosphere, creative menu, and easy access to the Katy Trail.

Duro Hospitality has opened several restaurants that she frequents, including Mister Charles, situated in the center of Knox. It has been a big success, Frantz-Ellerman reveals, given its location was the iconic former Highland Park Pharmacy.

"I love how they preserved the historic facade on the outside while the interior boasts opulent design, indulgent French and Italian dishes, elevated cocktails, and rare wines," she says.

Another exciting culinary update: Chef Julian Barsotti has opened Caffe Lucca, a Sicilian-inspired restaurant featuring Palermo-style and busiate pastas. And for a relaxed afternoon or evening outdoors, the Katy Trail Ice House remains a must-visit, with its tree-shaded beer garden, extensive beer selection, and dog-friendly patio.

Where to play
Shopping on Knox Street is about to become an entirely new experience. With a remarkable collection of luxury fashion, jewelry, activewear, and home-design brands opening their doors, the neighborhood is quickly becoming one of Dallas' most exciting retail destinations.

Melissa lives just steps from The Knox project, and as someone who loves to shop, she couldn't be more excited about what's coming. One of her personal favorites is The Conservatory, the two-story, 10,000-square-foot sister concept to the Highland Park Village boutique opened by Dallas retail veteran Brian Bolke. The new store will feature an expansive outdoor deck and a bar and restaurant concept, making it as much a place to linger as it is to shop.

The incoming retail lineup reads like a luxury shopper's wish list. Alo, a Melissa staple for activewear, is adding a third Dallas-area location, while Addison Bay has made its Texas debut on Knox Street. Bachendorf's is preparing to open its fifth location, with a full-service bar and rotating designer residencies planned for the space.

Fashion lovers will have plenty more to discover. Cult Gaia is bringing its distinctive architectural silhouettes and signature handbags to a permanent Dallas location, while Los Angeles-based Dôen will make its Texas debut. Staud is opening its first standalone Texas store, and Stockholm-based Toteme will bring its understated, polished wardrobe staples to Knox.

Other notable additions include ME+EM, the London-based women's fashion brand; TWP, the New York luxury womenswear label; and Julia Amory, the Palm Beach-based lifestyle brand whose first Texas store will feature interiors by designer Mark D. Sikes.

For something a little different, Hart has already opened its doors with playful, customizable jewelry, while KD Biel has brought its distinctive collection of high-end home furnishings and accessories to a second Dallas location. Visual Comfort has also opened its first Dallas storefront outside the Market Center, giving design enthusiasts a new destination for elevated lighting.

And the neighborhood's appeal extends well beyond shopping. The Katy Trail remains a major draw for runners, cyclists, and anyone looking to enjoy the outdoors. Melissa and her husband regularly take weekend bike rides and weekday walks along the trail, often with their dog along for the ride.

The area's walkability is another major selling point, with fitness studios, wellness destinations, and personal care concepts all close at hand. It's this combination of convenience, outdoor access, and an increasingly impressive mix of shopping and dining that makes Knox so special.

As Melissa puts it, the pedestrian-friendly area still has “some of the hottest real estate in the city” and is “the closest thing to a European street that Dallas has to offer.” With The Knox development bringing even more world-class hospitality, shopping, dining, and public green space to the neighborhood, that appeal is only growing.

Where to live
One of Dallas’ most ambitious Knox Street projects is a mixed-use development that will feature an Auberge Resorts Collection Hotel and Residences, restaurants, retail, luxury rental building, a boutique office building, and a new park space. In it will be the first Texas location of Sant Ambroeus, the iconic Milanese restaurant that's also popped up in Palm Springs, Aspen, and The Hamptons.

"It will be amazing to have its world-class dining options, from a morning cappuccino to a celebratory dinner, right here in this special neighborhood," says Frantz-Ellerman.

Also not to miss, The Knox, Auberge Collection introduce a new chapter of city living at the center of it all. It's intimate collection of 47 homes are brought to life by acclaimed designer Chad Dorsey, and pair refined finishes and timeless palettes with expansive, seamlessly flowing spaces for entertaining and everyday life.

This area has an eclectic mix of townhomes, single-family homes, and apartment/condo buildings, making it an ideal spot for every stage in life. Frantz-Ellerman lives with her husband, who builds custom homes in the Park Cities, in a home just steps from the Katy Trail.

A new era is on the horizon with Knox Villas, a limited collection of 12 luxury, single-family, three-story residences with private outdoor spaces and terraces. Buyers will be drawn to the private outdoor spaces, elevators, and garages, Frantz-Ellerman says.

As one of the first agents to represent a buyer at Knox Villas, Frantz-Ellerman was ahead of the curve in one of Knox Street’s most exciting luxury residential developments. With her deep knowledge of the neighborhood and insider expertise, Melissa connects discerning buyers with exceptional homes in this highly sought-after Dallas enclave.

Whether you're an SMU grad like Frantz-Ellerman's son, just building your foundation in Dallas, or an out-of-towner looking for the perfect spot to start the next chapter, the Knox District has something for everyone, and Frantz-Ellerman has the passion, experience, and bespoke service to get you there.

If you see her on the Katy Trail or along Knox Street sporting her Sotheby's swag, be sure to stop her for a chat about her favorite neighborhood in Dallas.

The Katy Trail also has a striking new addition: The Loop Plaza, featuring sculptural rust-colored steel arches that take on a whole new look when illuminated after dark. Opened in October of 2026, the plaza offers a beautiful new gathering space for walkers and cyclists.

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Melissa Frantz-Ellerman lives, works, and plays in the Knox District. For more information on buying and selling a home in the area, click here, email mfrantz@briggsfreeman.com, or call 404-791-3686.

Photo courtesy of Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty

Modern floorplans are found throughout the district.