Reunion Tower, the blinking ball on the skyline of downtown Dallas, finally has a new tenant: Called Crown Block, it's a steak and seafood restaurant from Las Vegas group Blau + Associates, and according to a release, it'll open in spring 2023.

This one-of-a-kind space in the sky with 360-degree views has been empty since 2020, when the prior restaurant Five Sixty By Wolfgang Puck closed at the height of the pandemic.

Blau Associates consists of husband-wife hospitality veterans Elizabeth Blau and chef Kim Canteenwalla, whose portfolio includes Las Vegas restaurants Honey Salt and Buddy V's Ristorante at the Venetian.

A judge on CNBC's Restaurant Startup, Blau has beein involved with iconic properties around the world such as the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center and creating the restaurant portfolios at both Bellagio and Wynn, which transformed Las Vegas' food & beverage scene.

Canteenwalla is the former executive chef for MGM Grand in Las Vegas and has led restaurants and resorts around the world including Singapore, Thailand, Dubai, Bali, Toronto, and Montreal. In addition to their Las Vegas concepts, he's conceptualized and developed multiple food & beverage outlets in Vancouver, Canada which he continues to operate today.

“Kim and I discovered our love of Dallas and instantly felt welcome with the world-famous Texas hospitality,” Blau says in the release. “We are excited to bring our longstanding philosophy drawing from the culture, landscape, and culinary traditions of the region to partner with the Hunt family on this exciting new endeavor for the city.”

In a statement from Hunt Realty Investments, Inc., which owns Reunion Tower, CEO Chris Kleinert notes that the team behind Crown Block has oodles of experience.

“When looking for the ultimate restaurant partner for Reunion Tower, these two hospitality industry veterans [Blau and Canteenwalla] stood out with more than three decades of global, guest-driven success and experience,” Chris Kleinert, CEO Hunt Realty says. “Dining at Crown Block will be unequivocally as iconic as Reunion Tower itself.”

Their goal is that Crown Block will surpass the typical steakhouse, celebrating "all things grilled, seared, and roasted." There'll also be seafood and plant-based cuisine, with ingredients from regional farms, ranches, and the Gulf of Mexico.

Highlights include:

• a "Rare Steak" program with choices from Prime Beef, Texas Wagyu, and Japanese A5 Wagyu
• a sushi and chilled seafood display
• a dessert bar with pastry chefs in action
• a substantial wine list
• a carefully curated cocktail program

When they use the word curate, you know it's serious.

Crown Block will come with a separate event space on the 17th floor of the Reunion Tower with its own striking views, available for private receptions for up to 175 seated guests or 250 standing guests. For inquiries, email events@crownblockdallas.com.

Reunion Tower became an instant landmark when it opened on April 15, 1978, through efforts led by Ray Hunt. Leading the charge on the restaurant is Hunt grandson Tyler Kleinert, who expresses confidence that Blau and Canteenwalla are up to the task.

“From the start, identifying the perfect restaurant partner for Reunion Tower was essential,” Tyler Kleinert says. “We take great pride that Reunion Tower has served as Dallas’ top destination for milestone events and celebrations spanning six decades. Crown Block will continue to invite the community, residents and tourists alike, to gather and celebrate, living up to and exceeding my Grandfather’s original vision. The overall experience that Elizabeth, Kim and their Crown Block team are going to deliver will ensure Reunion Tower’s legacy and strong connection with the city continues for years to come.”