Oak Lawn

[lakewoodhobo]

Remember when Good Eats closed a few years ago, they mentioned that they were looking for a new location? I assume by now that they've abandoned those plans and are focused on running Lucky's instead.

Good Eats could've been the first of what I wish were a mass migration of businesses from Oak Lawn to Oak Cliff, but given that Oak Cliff is still perceived as a hipster bubble in a sea of Hispanic culture, maybe businesses like Zaguán and Kaliente should move first. It's only a matter of time before these places are pushed out of Oak Lawn.

I would say the most endangered business in all of Oak Lawn right now is Grapevine Bar (Ojeda's may not be far behind). I hope they've been eyeing spots for a future relocation.

[DPatel304]

The time has arrived and we will begin working on the café space tomorrow, March 27th.
The demolition of this area will create some noise, the extent of which is difficult to determine. It should last no more than 2 (two) days.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we undertake this new amenity for the Renaissance on Turtle Creek

Well, this is a very small bit of news, but I received an e-mail today from my building (3225 Turtle Creek). This is referring to a small bit of retail space in the building that faces Cedar Springs Rd:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/3225+ ... 96.8047905

It has been vacant since I bought my place in 2012 and probably even earlier than that. I'm skeptical anything can do well here, since there is hardly any foot traffic. I don't even think there is any dedicated parking for the place, so they would have to rely 100% on nearby foot traffic.

Anyway, seems like there is still a ways to go with this, but I'm curious to see if this will actually happen and how well the retail will do.

[lakewoodhobo]

I would think that there are enough residents nearby to support a grab-and-go, bodega or wine bar type of business here, but I won't pretend like the small and poorly lit sidewalks in that stretch of Cedar Springs invite pedestrians.

[Dmkflyer]

E1670B41-1444-40B8-B2D9-4AF0B4F4FE1A.jpeg

I was driving down hood between cedar springs and fairmount and came across these, which are in addition to recently-announced towers.

[joshua.dodd]

I like that midrise.

[ContriveDallasite]

The buildling looks great. I lived in Oak Lawn for a years and always enjoyed the mid-century modern townhomes that were so frequent in the area.

While I enjoy the type of product Crescent will ultimately develop, I personally am afraid of seeing Oak Lawn go Uptown with the Miami-esque style. But perhaps, I'm out on a limb here.

[Dmkflyer]

Just to be clear. They are 2 separate buildings, but both along Hood.

[DPatel304]

And they are both condos, too, which is something the urban core severely lacks.

[R1070]

I saw these. that area is going to continue to blow up! We need a lot more infill like this and cut back on cookie cutter Texas Donut apt complexes.

[lakewoodhobo]

Demolition for the new Starbucks began yesterday and continues today.

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[R1070]

Ugh... I hope Starbucks makes this one interesting to make up for ruining any chance of urbanity right there.

[Tnexster]

What was that?

[DPatel304]

The massively popular brunch chain Snooze an A.M. Eatery is bringing its creative breakfast twists to its most central location in Dallas yet: Oak Lawn.

The Denver-based chain, which made its Dallas debut in Addison in June, will open a restaurant at 3211 Oak Lawn Ave, near the intersection of Cedar Springs Road, in what was previously Hypnotic Sushi, which had been closed for some time.

http://dallas.culturemap.com/news/resta ... wn-avenue/

I went to this place once in Austin and didn't really get the hype. For whatever reason, it's an extremely popular brunch spot and I think it's definitely an improvement to the area.

[flyswatter]

Ate there recently in Addison. Was weird to get a plate of french toast with no sides when it was essentially thin slices of Mrs. Baird's bread. Don't think I have ever walked out of a breakfast place wishing I ordered more food. Place was empty on a Monday morning but the bartender told me on weekends they regularly have 2 hour waits. The cocktail options weren't too bad though, and that is likely what makes it so popular. Instagrammable food and boozy cocktails!

[DPatel304]

It Looks Like Matt McCallister Is Planning a New Neighborhood Restaurant in Oak Lawn

A weirdly mysterious new Instagram account created for a restaurant called Homewood indicates that chef Matt McCallister is likely planning his new venture.

No address is listed for the secretive new eatery, which isn’t directly connected to McCallister. Renderings of the restaurant uploaded to the website for Design Hound, an Austin interior design firm, indicate that it will open somewhere in Oak Lawn. The real smoking gun is McCallister’s use of a hashtag that’s been exclusively used by the chef in conjunction with this forthcoming restaurant.

https://dallas.eater.com/2018/8/6/17657 ... rmongering

Some more (potential) restaurant news for Oak Lawn. I hope to see more and more activity in this area, as I think there is a lot of potential here (specifically along Oak Lawn Ave and Cedar Springs Rd).

[Matt777]

It Looks Like Matt McCallister Is Planning a New Neighborhood Restaurant in Oak Lawn

A weirdly mysterious new Instagram account created for a restaurant called Homewood indicates that chef Matt McCallister is likely planning his new venture.

No address is listed for the secretive new eatery, which isn’t directly connected to McCallister. Renderings of the restaurant uploaded to the website for Design Hound, an Austin interior design firm, indicate that it will open somewhere in Oak Lawn. The real smoking gun is McCallister’s use of a hashtag that’s been exclusively used by the chef in conjunction with this forthcoming restaurant.

https://dallas.eater.com/2018/8/6/17657 ... rmongering

Some more (potential) restaurant news for Oak Lawn. I hope to see more and more activity in this area, as I think there is a lot of potential here (specifically along Oak Lawn Ave and Cedar Springs Rd).

Judging from the shape of the building in the rendering, I can say with 99.7% certainty that it's going to be in the old Beck's Prime space at Oak Lawn Ave and Avondale. Looks nice.

[deweast]

Also appears the Firebird Restaurant Group is remodeling the out of business Marina space for a new entry named Tullum Kitchen. No details on what sort of menu, but it is coming. Marina was located in The Shops of Highland Park.

[lakewoodhobo]

Judging from the shape of the building in the rendering, I can say with 99.7% certainty that it's going to be in the old Beck's Prime space at Oak Lawn Ave and Avondale. Looks nice.

I'd be willing to bet that you're right.

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[cowboyeagle05]

The Union coffee house at the Methodist Church at Cedar Springs and Oak lawn has started.

332186DC-54C7-4152-9546-5C2997BDC9B9.jpeg

[DPatel304]

The Union coffee house at the Methodist Church at Cedar Springs and Oak lawn has started.

332186DC-54C7-4152-9546-5C2997BDC9B9.jpeg

Their website is a little vague, but it sounds like The Union is 'moving', and this isn't a second location:
http://www.uniondallas.org/

It's hard to say for sure, though, as it seems a little vague. I'm very close to this new location though, so I'm excited for it to open.

[Matt777]

Also in Oak Lawn news, The Argyle is wrapping up remodeling and is now leasing units. The refreshed interiors look cool (sans the cheap cabinets) but dang, those are some high asking rents for Oak Lawn especially without the big complex amenities.

https://indiomgmt.com/property/The-Argyle/

[flyswatter]

They must be place holders or something because those rents are atrocious. The parking is in the Centrum parking garage too with no direct access to the building and lacks a lot of amenities that buildings nearby have for the same price/less.

[DPatel304]

Yeah, wow that is insane. Nobody will ever pay those kinds of prices.

[Cbdallas]

425 sq. ft. for 1350 per month. Micro mini size for NYC pricing. They better hope we get Amazon.

[itsjrd1964]

I was wondering what would happen at the Argyle if it were ever dolled up or sold, as far as rents go. The more new/remodeled apartments with high-$$$$ rents close to the DTD there are, the farther out I'll probably end up.

[Matt777]

425 sq. ft. for 1350 per month. Micro mini size for NYC pricing. They better hope we get Amazon.

Don't forget no pool or onsite parking!

On a serious note, these would make lovely condos. I feel like this building is far better set up for owners vs. renters.

[Tivo_Kenevil]

We need 400-600 SQ ft micro units for $500-$800.

[DPatel304]

Yep. Condos and Micro-units are two things this market is severely lacking. I understand the lack of micro-units though, since we aren't even close to being on New York's level, but I don't understand why there is a lack of condos coming on to the market.

[DPatel304]

Bellini's Italian Cafe and Pizza (3810 Congress Ave.) is relocating to the Design District and the former location is being torn down.
https://www.dallasobserver.com/restaura ... n-11062363

Here is the building being torn down:
https://www.google.com/maps/@32.807412, ... 312!8i6656

There is no information about what the future plans are for this location, but that is a decent sized lot on some prime real estate.

[Dmkflyer]

I heard it will be a Total Wine built when the strip center is torn down

[ContriveDallasite]

I heard it will be a Total Wine built when the strip center is torn down

What a fantastic replacement. This city really takes one step forward and half a step back sometimes.

[cowboyeagle05]

Yeah, Total Wine is planning a store right at the corner of Oak Lawn and Congress but much like the CVS on McKinney Ave it will still put a blankish back to the corner and parking will be located inward on the site where the entrance will be. The Oak Lawn Committee hasn't made final approval yet since the store hasn't submitted final design plans but I believe they requested Total Wine make it at least look more finished at the corner.

[lakewoodhobo]

I needed something from Goody Goody recently but happened to be traveling SW on Oak Lawn. Even with the relatively light Sat morning traffic, it was almost impossible to turn around, and it's not like you can park on the street and just walk in that area.

The way Oak Lawn is designed, you'll be obligated to stop at Total Wine no matter how much you'd rather support Goody. Brilliant location for them given those circumstances, I suppose.

[DPatel304]

I heard it will be a Total Wine built when the strip center is torn down

How disappointing if true, but this wouldn't surprise me. For whatever reason, Oak Lawn Ave. is still very suburban and car-oriented.

[Cbdallas]

Both Oak Lawn and Lemmon Ave. both retain much of their 1970's to 1980's suburban character sadly.

[Hannibal Lecter]

I managed that center back in the 80's (yes, before most of you were born). It was the original location of Chiquita's restaurant. When they moved the space became Jugs, which was a hit. I read somewhere that when it closed it was the oldest operating lesbian bar in the country.

[LongonBigD]

Almost forgot about Juggs. Speaking of long gone girl bars in Oaklawn... I still remember The Unicorn at Lemmon and Douglas, now Uncle Julio’s.

[lakewoodhobo]

Almost forgot about Juggs. Speaking of long gone girl bars in Oaklawn... I still remember The Unicorn at Lemmon and Douglas, now Uncle Julio’s.

From 1984

July 27 1984.jpg

[princecy]

Yep. Condos and Micro-units are two things this market is severely lacking. I understand the lack of micro-units though, since we aren't even close to being on New York's level, but I don't understand why there is a lack of condos coming on to the market.

Its because people from out of town are coming and building cheap apartments. Once they get their money(apartments are more profitable than townhouses or condos)..they'll bail. Were stuck with apartments that will look outdated in 20-30 years.

The apartments we build now...will be gone in 30 years. The 3 to 5 story apartment buildings now....they will be torn down for apartments that will be 15+ stories or more in the year 2050.

Oh well.

[R1070]

I'm pretty sure Oak Lawn Ave has specific set back rules so hopefully this won't look too awful. Seriously anything is going to be better looking than that current strip that's there. Though I hope someone reminds OLC that the CVS on McKinney was a complete design disaster that should have NEVER been approved.

[DPatel304]

Its because people from out of town are coming and building cheap apartments. Once they get their money(apartments are more profitable than townhouses or condos)..they'll bail. Were stuck with apartments that will look outdated in 20-30 years.

The apartments we build now...will be gone in 30 years. The 3 to 5 story apartment buildings now....they will be torn down for apartments that will be 15+ stories or more in the year 2050.

Oh well.

Seems that way. I guess it's not exactly the worst thing in the world, as long as these apartments do eventually get replaced before they age too much. In 20-30 years, land will be a lot less limited in the urban core, so I'm hoping all of these cheaply built apartments are replaced with something better when the time comes.

What concerns me more is these same cheap apartments being built in the suburbs. Land isn't as sparse in the suburbs, so it is much more likely that these cheap apartments won't be replaced and will eventually end up being a blight on the surrounding area.

[itsjrd1964]

I'm pretty sure Oak Lawn Ave has specific set back rules so hopefully this won't look too awful. Seriously anything is going to be better looking than that current strip that's there. Though I hope someone reminds OLC that the CVS on McKinney was a complete design disaster that should have NEVER been approved.

ITA, that strip has been dumpy for a while. When Stop & Go stores were here, that corner food mart thing was previously a Stop & Go. Also, the long-time but sadly now gone, VVV Records was in that strip also. Should be interesting, despite any suburban look/feel, how Total Wine & More will do there.

[cowboyeagle05]

Yeah, the only thing people seem to be reminiscing about is Bellini's. It's not like the shopping center was an architectural beauty of times gone past. I was surprised some townhomes didn't come for it first but Congress is an active intersection worthy of commercial/retail traffic so I am not surprised we are getting a pad type one story development. Just be glad it's not a drive-thru restaurant I guess.

[flyswatter]

I may be overestimating the average sizes of Total Wines but this is a pretty long and narrow lot. Wonder if they could build a long, narrow store with an underground garage. Easy foot traffic access and can still have a large store without compromising parking in a super car-centered area.

[cowboyeagle05]

Just because it could be engineered doesn't mean its likely to happen in this universe. The OLC is more concerned about small nips and tucks related to their area of ability to push back than pushing for a pricey underground garage option. The garage alone could cost several million and not worth the sales so it would have to be done as part of a larger project. Besides if they are going to allow Starbucks to build another location with a large drive-thru across the street why would they hold Total Wine to some denser accountability over Starbucks?

[flyswatter]

I didn't say they would. The city just wants something to replaced an outdated strip mall. I wouldn't expect anything more than the bare minimum from a company that operates almost exclusively out of big box strip malls.

[killervirgo]

Bellini's Italian Cafe and Pizza (3810 Congress Ave.) is relocating to the Design District and the former location is being torn down.
https://www.dallasobserver.com/restaura ... n-11062363

Here is the building being torn down:
https://www.google.com/maps/@32.807412, ... 312!8i6656

There is no information about what the future plans are for this location, but that is a decent sized lot on some prime real estate.

When I was at Bellini's a few days ago, I was told that the lot would be redeveloped as a CVS location. They were fairly confident about this development, but the location seems too small.

[Hannibal Lecter]

When I was at Bellini's a few days ago, I was told that the lot would be redeveloped as a CVS location. They were fairly confident about this development, but the location seems too small.

According to Candy's Dirt it is Total Wine. They're having to get a variance due to proximity to a church.

https://candysdirt.com/2017/11/15/weirs ... -hardware/

(about 3/4 of the way down).

[cowboyeagle05]

The church is moving away you can see the banner on the building now if you drive by. Last I heard Total Wine was still in play so I hope it's not CVS. The last thing we need is another one right here. Starbucks and CVS the destroyers of our neighborhoods.

[Matt777]

In Candy's Dirt's update about Oak Lawn projects, it was mentioned that the 2999 Turtle Creek high rise expansion project is being eyed by a "5 star Asian Hotel." Sounds like Mandarin Oriental to me. Finally!!!

From Article: https://candysdirt.com/2018/09/04/turtl ... -property/
"Built in the 1990s by developer John Eulich, the property changed hands last July, being purchased by Lincoln Property Company. The plan was to retain the French Renaissance building while constructing a high-rise behind. There’s plenty of space on the two-acre dog-leg parcel. Word comes to CandysDirt.com that plans are firming up for the high-rise with a five-star Asian hotel rumored to have signed a deal. If true, it would mark the third five-star hotel within a block – The Mansion flanked by 2999 and Prescott’s unnamed hotel at 2727 Turtle Creek. I wonder if 2999 Turtle Creek will also have bazillion dollar condos? Stay tuned."