Downtown News

Iconic downtown Dallas building gets remodel, new name, and 2 restaurants

New name: Dallas Arts Tower.

Courtesy photo

A downtown Dallas building is getting a glorious makeover that will result in the addition of two new restaurants.

The building is Chase Tower, the 55-story skyscraper at 2200 Ross Ave., and moving forward will be rebranded as Dallas Arts Tower. The renovation will include a new lobby that will be home to two restaurants by Milkshake Concepts (Vidorra, Stirr, The Finch, Harper's):

A European-style, all-day café featuring a robust coffee program, daily baked goods, wine, and a diverse menu with items that can be taken to go or consumed on site; they'll be open for "early evening meals."
A Greek restaurant, located in The Rotunda, with fish, grilled meats, sides, and dips, open for lunch and refined dinner.

In a statement, Milkshake Concepts founder and CEO Imran Sheikh calls 2200 Ross "an iconic building in the heart of Dallas," and says this has been in the works for a while.

"We've been hard at work on two concepts that we believe fit perfectly into the newly designed lobby and the unique, eye-catching Rotunda that sits so visibly at the front of the development," Sheikh says.

Rebranding
New York-based Fortis Property Group, the building's New York-based owner, worked with Stream Realty Partners to devise a name that pays tribute to the neighborhood and amplifies the district’s mission to unify culture and commerce in one destination. Stream has leased Dallas Arts Tower since Fortis purchased the building in 2016.

The skyscraper has seen several significant updates including a new motor court, water features, and landscaping on the Ross Avenue-facing frontage; the addition of a sky lounge and meeting center on the 40th floor; and a new state-of-the-art fitness center.

Fortis plans to add an art gallery displaying pieces from local artists and commission art installations throughout the newly redesigned lobby and other public spaces with new lighting and flooring to showcase the artwork. Elevator cabs also will receive a refresh.

Current amenities include an executive tenant conference center, Starbucks coffee shop, convenience store, on-site shoeshine, full-service car wash, and sky bridge that connects to the Dallas Marriott Downtown and DART Light Rail station.

“Fortis is excited to reimagine the former Chase Tower into the gold standard of commercial real estate in Dallas,” said Fortis CIO Terrence Storey. “Over the coming months, this landmark building will have new dining areas, an upgraded lobby, and modern public areas to complement the already best-in-class tenant amenities.”

Construction is expected to start in late summer, with an early 2024 completion.

openings downtown

Deep Ellum News

Mexican 'vibe' restaurant from California to open in Deep Ellum Dallas

Mama Por Dios

A buzzy concept from California is coming to Dallas: Mama Por Dios, a Mexican restaurant chain known for its vibe, will open its first location in Texas in Deep Ellum in the Epic development at 2525 Elm St., taking over the former La Neta space, which shuttered in May.

According to a spokesperson, the restaurant will open in early to mid-January.

Mama Por Dios was founded in Southern California in 2020 by chef Misael Guerrero, who famously got his start selling Mexican sushi out of his garage.

Since those early days, he's gone on to form a restaurant empire called Emme Group, with concepts that include Los Amores de Julia, El Rincon de Los Dolidos, and Culichi Town, a lower-priced chain known for Sinaloa-style Mexican sushi & seafood, which has a local presence: It opened a location in Mesquite in 2022.

Mama Por Dios — which translates to "Mother of God" — describes itself as modern Mexican, offering a unique blend of steakhouse, sushi bar, and seafood. The menu includes favorites like tacos and enchiladas, alongside luxe dishes like lobster with spaghetti, lobster enchiladas, and a surf & turf featuring a lobster tail balanced atop a skirt steak. Prices range from $18 for birria tacos to $48 for a bacon-wrapped filet mignon with mashed potatoes and asparagus.

But they also have a showy side that includes flamboyant presentations such as the bacon-wrapped shrimp which come strung on clothespins; or the trompito al pastor, served on a personal spit, as well as servers who walk around with shots while dancing with patrons.

There's a Gold Burger for $65 featuring Prime beef on a brioche bun garnished with 24k gold leaf, and a similarly gilded tomahawk steak for $400 that brings to mind the good old days of Salt Bae. Decor is swanky with low lighting, and there'll be a serious brunch offering on weekends.

Cocktails such as the Al Agua Pato — served in a mini bathtub with a rubber ducky — are made for Instagram. They offer margarita and mezcalita flights with flavors such as mango, tamarindo, and strawberry, and intriguing sips like Carajillo, a Spanish cocktail with Licor 43, espresso, and 43 different fruit, citrus, aromatic, and herbal ingredients.

There’s also a $20 per-person minimum spend, and the menu comes with a warning that everything is cooked to order — meaning some dishes may take 30 to 40 minutes. For many diners, waiting will surely be part of the experience.

deep-ellum tex-mex openings