High-Rise News

High-rise in Dallas Design District comes with cool pool and restaurant

Do those pool floats look like avocados?

Urby Dallas

A new residential development has landed in Dallas' Design District, that comes with its own restaurant, open to the public.

Called the Urby, it's a 27-story building with 383 apartments located at 1930 Hi Line Dr., across from the Virgin Dallas hotel. According to a release, leasing is underway.

It'll also be home to a neighborhood bistro called Charley, opening in late November-early December.

Urby features studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments with rents starting at $1,956 for a studio on the low end, and topping out at $3,467 for a two-bedroom two-bath unit, with most rents in the $2,200-$2,600 range.

Amenities include a fitness facility with yoga studio, dog park, dog wash, and a prismatic pool inspired by pools found in Yellowstone National Park. Pool-wise, that is reaching pretty high.

Urby Kind of an MCM vibe going here.Urby Dallas

In addition to the restaurant Charley, there'll be an accompanying lounge for residents only called The Salon, plus a private dining room with communal table for foodie events or work meetings. A library, which residents can use as a workspace, will offer a menu serviced by Charley.

There's no info yet on chef or menu, but the design is by Shawn Hausman Design, a restaurant and boutique hotel designer whose portfolio includes The Standard, Chateau Marmont, Le Diplomat, and Little Doms, for groups like André Balazs Properties, Standard Hotels International, and Stephen Starr Restaurants.

According to a spokesperson, all Urby properties come with an in-house restaurant or cafe. For Charley, Hausman drew inspiration from Austrian cafes, from classic Viennese cafes to offbeat spots in Graz. Decorative features will include historic European furniture and an "unexpected" color palette.

Founded in 2016, Urby is part of a chain by president and CEO David Barry, a New York developer whose prior properties include the Standard East Village, Chiltern Firehouse in London, and W Hotel in Hoboken. Dallas will be the sixth Urby, but the first outside the New York area. Current Urby buildings are in New York, Jersey City, Harrison NJ, and Stamford, Connecticut, with Philadelphia, Miami, and Washington DC also in the works.

The Dallas property will ultimately include more than 900 apartments in three residential towers on a four-acre site. So two more buildings are coming.

Lots of windows create a light, bright space.Urby Dallas

Urby apartments include:

bright and airy floor plans
walk-in closets with built-in storage
sustainable flooring
upscale kitchen finishes and appointments
large, nearly floor-to-ceiling windows
smart technology systems, including Latch keyless smart phone entry and Amazon package lockers

Some units have balconies.

“We are delighted to officially begin leasing at Dallas Urby which we believe is a fantastic residential complement to the Design District,” David Barry says in a statement. “We look forward to welcoming our first residents this month and introducing them to our thoughtful design, engaging experiences and community connection.”

openings hotels

Closing News

Family-run Greek Cafe in Dallas' Bishop Arts closes after 13 years

The Greek Cafe

The Greek Cafe, RIP.

A revered family-owned restaurant in Dallas' Oak Cliff has closed: The Greek Cafe, which had been open more than 13 years, shut down, according to a heartfelt note from co-owner Joanna Tatakis.

"It is with great sadness I announce that we have closed and will not be able to open back up," she said. "I’m sorry it has taken me so long to tell everyone, but every time I sat down to say goodbye, it was just too hard."

The Greek Cafe was founded by Joanna's parents, Emmanuel "Mike" and Maryann Tatakis, and was known for Greek classics, including their signature gyros and Greek-style French fries with oregano and feta. Other popular items included dolmas and baklava.

The couple initially opened in Duncanville in 2008, then opened a second location in Bishop Arts in 2009; sadly, Maryann died in 2013.

The cafe struggled through the pandemic and the ensuing rising costs to do business.

Then Mike became ill, and was sent to hospice care - putting great strain on Joanna, who was not only running the restaurant single-handedly, but was also her father's sole caretaker. A GoFundMe was established in April to try and lighten her load. (Donations are still welcome.)

"To our neighbors, from all the gyros ordered, the get well soon card passed around for my dad, the many things borrowed, the hugs and encouragement, to the late night brain storming sessions, you know who you are," she said. "Thank you always for the support. It was an honor to be part of the community."

oak-cliff closings