Graduate Dallas hotel quietly debuts with chef-led restaurant to come

A groovy hotel with a collegiate theme has quietly debuted in Dallas: Called Graduate Dallas, it's a boutique chain that embraces a school theme, and has opened in the former Hotel Lumen, at 6101 Hillcrest Ave. across from Southern Methodist University.

According to a representative from the brand, the hotel softly initiated its transformation this week, with a bigger announcement scheduled for later this year.

They've also begun a renovation of the Front Room Tavern, the former restaurant for Hotel Lumen. The new in-house dining option will become a barbecue-Tex-Mex restaurant called Los Charros, led by Dallas chef Julian Barsotti (Nonna, Sprezza, Fachini). It's slated to open in May.

Graduate Hotels is a collection of hotels that reside in university-anchored towns such as Seattle, Berkeley, and Nashville, with each each hotel reflecting the motif and culture of its nearby college. There are currently more than 35 Graduate Hotels open or in the pipeline across the U.S. and the U.K.

Room rates at Graduate Dallas start at about $250 per night for a "Graduate King" with one king bed, writing desk, and lounge chair, with "decor that pays tribute to the Highland Park area and invites guests to reminisce about SMU's century-long history."

They aspire to five-star status with nice amenities and friendly service, but their uniqueness comes from the way they incorporate nods that reference the heritage and history of the university and its hometown.

Their lobbies come with a strong dose of whimsy and loads of cheerful color. Most locations feature one-of-a-kind antique furniture and historical photos on the walls. The concept has a subtle retro vibe, from the vintage font used for its logo to its nostalgic celebration of the youthful optimism of school days.

The Lumen debuted in 1963 as a motel which it remained until 2012 when it was transformed into a boutique hotel by owner Tim Headington; he sold it to AJ Capital Partners in 2019.

The conversion from Hotel Lumen to Graduate has been in the works since 2021. Graduate Dallas was initially anticipated to debut as part of the Graduate Hotels collection in Spring 2022.

In 2024, the Graduate Hotels brand was acquired by Hilton, joining Hilton’s fast-growing lifestyle portfolio alongside Canopy by Hilton, Curio Collection by Hilton, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, Tempo by Hilton, and Motto by Hilton – each launched within the last 10 years to respond to growing demand from travelers for localized travel experiences. The transaction was called one of the “most influential hotel industry deals in 2024” according to Hotel Investment Today.