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

Coming attraction

J. Alexander’s to debut in Plano with famed steaks and carrot cake

Courtesy J. Alexander's

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Tennessee-born upscale dining chain J. Alexander’s is set to make its Dallas-Fort Worth debut in Plano, with an extensive menu of hand-cut steaks, sandwiches, Asian-influenced appetizers, and its famous carrot cake.

J. Alexander’s will open the doors at 3980 Dallas Pkwy. on Monday, January 26, marking its first location in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

For those who are unfamiliar with J. Alexander’s, the chain opened its first location in Nashville, Tennessee in 1991, and has since expanded to nearly 40 outposts across the country. It is known for an upscale vibe and classic American cuisine, similar to a spot like Houston’s or Perry’s Steakhouse.

The Plano location is the 39th for the chain, which was acquired in 2021 by SPB Hospitality, which also operates Logan’s Roadhouse and fast-food chain Krystal, among other eateries.

“Bringing J. Alexander's to the Dallas-Fort Worth area is a meaningful step in our continued growth and reflects our confidence in the state,” says G.J. Hart, SPB Hospitality CEO, in a release. Hart added that the chain already has plans to open a second location, in Prosper, later this year.

When it opens in Plano, J. Alexander’s will serve a “polished yet approachable” menu that’s mostly centered around its wood grill. A number of beefy options will be on offer, including teriyaki-marinated Steak Maui and slow-roasted prime rib, along with lighter options that include trout almondine, seared ahi tuna, and a shrimp Louie salad.

Shareable snacks include deviled eggs and the “Avocado Bomb,” a striking dish of hand-cut ahi tuna and crab salad with thin slices of avocado wrapped around it to resemble the whole fruit.

It's also known for its icing-topped carrot cake, which many insist is the best they've ever had — numerous copycat recipes for the treat exist online.

On the boozy side of the menu, J. Alexander’s will serve an extensive list of wines, plus cocktails like the Midnight Margarita, mixed with black cherry jam, reposado tequila, and pink Himalayan salt. A lineup of handcrafted martinis will also be available, including the cheekily-named Red Headed Rita (mixed with pomegranate juice and blanco tequila) and the Fleur-de-Lis, made with sparkling wine, St. Germain, and grapefruit juice.

When it debuts on January 26, J. Alexander’s will be open Monday-Saturday from 11 am-10 pm, and Sunday from 11 am-9 pm. As part of the opening day festivities, J. Alexander’s says that it will make a donation to the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County, a nonprofit that provides assistance to those impacted by child abuse.

steakhouse openings j. alexander's plano