Hotel News
Thompson Dallas Hotel restores glory to historic downtown building
There's an opening date for an exciting new hotel in an important downtown Dallas building. Thompson Dallas, part of the lifestyle hospitality brand Thompson Hotels, will open on November 14 at 205 N. Akard St. in the historic George Dahl-designed building now known as The National.
Developed by award-winning firm Todd Interests, Thompson Dallas was a $460-million preservation project that involved restoration and reuse of salvaged materials.
Thompson Dallas will exist alongside The National Residences, 324 luxury high-rise apartments with amenities such as room service and housekeeping.
Todd Interests partner Philip Todd says in a release that Thompson will bring a sophisticated, luxurious, and international flair to town. "It's what you might see in the best neighborhoods in Manhattan or in Mayfair, London, while remaining authentic and true to Dallas," he says.
The building was originally designed by George Dahl, responsible for iconic Dallas establishments such as the art deco buildings of Fair Park and Neiman Marcus Downtown.
Its historic elements include restored original wood panels inlaid with brass that line the walls of the ninth floor and the original 17,555 hand-cut exterior marble panels sourced from the same quarry as the marble used for the Parthenon.
Rooms
Thompson Dallas will open with 219 rooms, including 52 suites, and two penthouse suites. Guestrooms average over 700 square feet and will feature:
- walnut and brass headboards
- blue lacquered walls
- leather upholstered furniture
- Frette robes
- Sferra linens and custom duvets
- DS & Durga Bowmakers bath amenities
A ballroom on the fourth floor has 14,000 square feet of uninterrupted space, three walls of floor-to-ceiling windows, 20-foot ceilings, private suites, and the ability to load-in directly to the ballroom.
Two acres of indoor-outdoor space are located on the ninth floor, which is also home to a full-service spa, fitness and wellness center, and a resort-style pool.
Restaurants
The food & beverage program will be led by Culinary Director Jeramie Robison, formerly of Uchi and The Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek; and Director of Restaurants, Bars, and Events Jonathan Geffrard, a 12-year veteran of Hillstone Restaurant Group. Eateries will include:
- Nine at The National, a chic but casual daily dining venue on the ninth floor serving breakfast and lunch
- Catbird, an elegant and buzzy restaurant, lounge, and rooftop bar, located on the 10th floor
Other in-house offerings include Tondeo Hair Lounge, a three-chair barbershop helmed by Derek Ortiz; and a floral design studio and workshop, The Botanical Mix, both located in the hotel’s lobby.
Art
More than $2 million of art and one-of-a-kind furnishings from Frieze London, PAD London, and internationally recognized galleries were personally selected by interior designer Caroline Todd and are spread throughout the property.
These include David Yarrow photography, paintings by Dallas artists David Bates and JD Miller, sculpture by Raul Maura, and furniture designed by Barlas Baylar, Hervé Langlais, and Ad Hoc.
The lobby offers a big dose of design: chandeliers from NYC’s Hudson Furniture, a marble and brass Hervé Langlais coffee table from PAD London, Kelly Wearstler lighting, and custom textured wallpaper from Dallas-based Craft Wallcovering.
The Clara Hotel is now open at 8201 Preston Rd., Plano.Photo by Greg Ceo Studio
Clara ceviche at Field & Vine.Photo by Dan Padgett
Cocktails at The Archer.Photo by Dan Padgett
