1. real estate
2. apartments

NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
US POSTAGE
PAID
DALLAS TX
PERMIT NO. 2311
2808 McKinney Ave.
Suite 100
Dallas, TX 75204
uptown seen
AT RIGHT:
Mike Turner and Ruth Sanders.
ABOVE:
Maryanne Preston and
Billy Hartwell.
ABOVE:
Angela Hunt and
Judy Smith Hearst.
AT LEFT:
Gail and Leon
Morvay.
AT RIGHT:
Ben and Bonny-Kate Ralston.
page 8
LOOK I NG U P TOW N
vol ume 3, number 2
v o l u m e 3, n u m b e r 2 s j u n e 2 0 11
LOOKING UPtown
The Crescent Celebrates 25 Years
In April 1986, history was made as The Crescent complex opened doors to the first mixed-use
development of its kind in Texas. The 10-acre project was the brainchild of Stephen Sands,
son of Caroline Rose Hunt, and world-renowned architect and designer Phillip Johnson.
The massive development forever changed the image of Uptown, setting the once sleepy
neighborhood on an economic spur of expansion and success.
In the early 1980s, Uptown was comprised of hole in the wall restaurants, used car
dealerships and some of the most affordable land this side of Downtown Dallas. Cheaper
land per square foot was one of the reason’s Stephen Sands identified the area, at the
crossroads of Cedar Springs, Maple, McKinney and Pearl, as the ideal location to construct
the most impressive and expensive complex in Dallas history. The project broke ground in
1983 and was a striking undertaking from day one. The plans for the project included three
office towers, a hotel, and retail space. The Crescent project was constructed with the
simple philosophy of impeccable service, a keen sense of style and unparalleled attentionto-detail. This thinking is reflected in the design of the building, which took three years
to build, utilizing thousands of workers, slate roofing from Wales, marble flooring from
Italy and Spain and one of the largest construction holes on record, to accommodate an
underground parking garage for 4,000 cars. The Crescent also holds the world record for
second largest amount of limestone used, falling short only to The Empire State Building. The
cast aluminum that gives romance to Rosewood Crescent Hotel’s exterior took over a year to
be forged and is believed to be one of the largest assemblages of cast aluminum in the world.
FROM CONCEPT TO COMPLETION,
The Crescent complex forever changed
the image of Uptown.
Uptown Dallas, Inc. congratulates
The Crescent on a quarter century
of success and looks forward to
their future developments.
Continued on page 2...
The of f icial newsletter of Uptown Dallas, Inc., a non-prof it corporation dedicated to representing and promoting business and social life that is uniquely Uptown.
The Crescent
...continued from page 1.
LEFT: Massive
construction cranes
begin to create The
Crescent Complex.
CEO
Report
The Uptown/Dallas Police Department surveillance camera
program has been a resounding success. Through May 6,
2011 there have been 348 camera-involved calls to the DPD
resulting in 29 arrests. Most calls involving the cameras are
not for events that require an arrest, but for other reasons
such as accidents. However, these 29 arrests would not have
RIGHT: The Spa at The Crescent was
a revolutionary idea for a hotel
in the 1980s.
occurred as promptly as they did without the surveillance
On April 6, 1986, the extraordinary complex had a spectacular
cameras identifying the offenders.
$2 million party to announce the grand opening of the Rosewood
The fact that we have a camera system that is monitored
24/7 by the DPD and is prominently advertised via signs on
each block of McKinney Ave. has helped further reduce the
already low crime rate in Uptown. With the large presence
of DPD officers, several off-duty DPD officers (employed by
Uptown) the eyes and ears of our Block Captains, and the 16
cameras, we have kept the crime figures in Uptown at a very
low number. Our goal is to maintain this low incidence of
crime and reduce it even more.
Crescent Hotel, The Crescent Spa, The Crescent Club, in addition to
the retail and office space. The extravagant event was attended by
a who’s who of Dallas 25 years ago, with the guest list including
Larry Hagman, who played JR on Dallas, Barbara and Trammell S.
Crow and of course Caroline Rose Hunt, among other celebrities
and socialites. The guests were treated to a glimpse of the
Crescent lifestyle that evening, which included 1.25 million square
feet of office space in the three Crescent towers, 175,000 square
feet of retail space and 226 hotel rooms and suites. Over the years,
The Crescent has housed many exciting businesses including the
Many Uptown residents and businesses have inquired
famous Beau Nash restaurant, where Nobu is now, which catered
about expanding the camera system. Presently the 16 cameras
to many famous palates and was the “it” spot in the ’80s and
are deployed evenly from Blackburn to Akard along McKinney
’90s. In 1991, Caroline Rose Hunt opened the Lady Primrose’s Royal
Ave. We have the capability to expand the system to other
Bathing and Skin Luxuries Store, whose inventory of antiques
locations in Uptown and would very much like to do this.
she specially picked out on her frequent visits to Europe. Over
In order to expand, we are seeking private donations and
the past 25 years the Rosewood Crescent Hotel has played host
funding for the system. If you live or work in an area not
presently covered by the system, please contact me and I can
give you the particulars on how much an expansion to your
area would cost and solicit your help in finding funding for
your area. I can be reached at [email protected] or
guests that have stayed in the luxurious hotel suites, dined in
the decadent restaurants, and shopped at the fabulous Stanley
Korshak department store, which has been a part of the complex
since its opening in 1986.
The three office towers were bought by a real estate development
214-871-2825.
We find that as soon as an area is covered by a camera, the
incidence of offenses start to diminish. It is our goal to have
all of Uptown covered by the system. I hope you can help us
accomplish this.
to some of the hottest celebrities, all-star athletes and A-list
firm in 1994, which named their company after the inspiring
complex becoming Crescent Real Estate Equities. Joseph Pitchford,
Senior VP of Development at Crescent Real Estate Equities said,
“The development of the Crescent complex set Uptown on a path
of redevelopment, attracting a higher-end clientele to the area.
Without The Crescent there would be no Ritz-Carlton, Rosewood
Jim Reagan
CEO, Uptown Dallas, Inc.
Court or other luxury developments. The Crescent is the critical
element of success for the Uptown area.” With a tenant roster
made up of financial powerhouses like Goldman Sachs, who has
been there for the past 25 years, Smith Barney, Citibank, JP
Morgan, Merrill Lynch, and many more, it is easy to see why The
Crescent complex continues to enjoy success in Uptown.
page 2
LOOK I NG U P TOW N
vol ume 3, number 2
The Katy 5K
More than 5,000 people participated in the Michelob Ultra No.
13 Katy 5K on May 12. The fun-filled event helps raise money to
maintain and improve the Katy Trail through participant signups.
The party continued on after the 5K run with one of the best
post-race parties in town, Katy’s Picnic. A stellar roster of local
restaurants provided free samples from their menus and the
Live80 band got people into the groove by playing 1980s pop
hits. Although it is a city park, the Katy Trail relies heavily on
private donations for 95 percent of its annual operating budget.
Uptown Dallas, Inc. is a proud partner of the Katy Trail and
sponsors extra police patrols to help maintain safety on The Trail.
BOARD PROFILE:
Al Chapman,
UPID Public Safety Committee Chair
“Please do not park where it says No Parking” is one of the mantras of Uptown
Public Improvement District Public Safety Committee Chair, Al Chapman. An Uptown
resident since 2003, Al Chapman has a passion for helping others and spreading safety
awareness wherever he goes. The Texas native grew up in Arlington and graduated
from Texas A&M in 1998 with a degree in communications and a minor in business.
After graduation, Al found his calling with pharmaceutical sales at Abbott Labs, where
he is able to combine his passion for helping others into his professional life.
Al became involved with the Uptown Public Improvement District through a zoning issue that he helped his Home Owners
Association with and immediately found his calling with the Public Safety Committee. As the Public Safety Committee Chair for
the past two years Al has worked diligently to improve and maintain the safety of Uptown. Under his leadership he was able to
implement the Block Captain program, which gives a voice to the residents in Uptown and provides a platform to communicate
issues with the Dallas Police Department. Al was heavily involved with the establishment of the McKinney Ave. camera system,
which is monitored 24/7 by the Dallas Police Department. Raising funds for more cameras in Uptown is one of Al’s goals for the
Public Safety Committee this year. He also wants to bring awareness to Cyber Crime and educate people on how they can better
protect themselves. With Al at the helm of the Public Safety Committee, Uptown is in good hands.
j u n e 2 0 11
LOOK I NG U P TOW N
page 3
Uptown Celebrates, Renovates & Updat
WEST VILLAGE HITS DOUBLE DIGITS
The West Village Shopping Center celebrates its 10-year anniversary in 2011.
The project was a joint venture between Urban Partners and Phoneix Property
Company, with construction beginning in 1997. The urban development offers
over 200,000 square feet of retail space and was created to provide the Uptown
neighborhood with a premier walkable district that embodies the Uptown motto:
Eat, Live, Work and Play.
In the past ten years of being open West Village has already expanded its
borders to include properties across McKinney Ave. at Cityplace West in 2004
and then again in 2006 with another phase of construction on Blackburn.
TOP: Construction of the West Village
Shopping Center.
ABOVE: Shops and apartments coexist at
West Village.
BELOW: The Magnolia Movie Theater.
West Village serves as the pulse of Uptown with its stylish collection of
boutiques, bars, restaurants, salons, an art house cinema and so much more.
With its tenth anniversary on the horizon, West Village continues to grow with
the vibrant Uptown neighborhood. Constantly bringing in new-to-market and
homegrown retailers, as well as distinctive dining to build a stronger tenant
roster than ever. Uptown looks forward to seeing what West Village has in store
for the next ten years.
page 4
LOOK I NG U P TOW N
vol ume 3, number 2
LOOKING UP town
tes
A publication of
UPTOWN DALLAS, INC.
CLYDE ALLEY REDESIGNED
Earlier this year Uptown Dallas, Inc. identified an abandoned alley that was in
need of some extra care. Clyde Alley, which is located between Hallsville St./Thomas
Ave. and Allen St./Clark St., is in a visible part of town leading down to Griggs Park.
The Uptown Public Improvement District Maintenance Committee worked hard to
come up with a solution to make the unsightly alley more attractive and eco-friendly
at the same time. The result was an eye-catching Xeriscape landscape project made
up of native plants that do not require much water or maintenance. Clyde Alley is
now home to Knockout Roses, Mexican Feather Grass, Asian Jasmine Groundcover
and Desert Willow Trees, which provide the alley with a beautiful and safe new look.
2808 McKinney Ave., Suite 100
Dallas, TX 75204
469.341.1199 office
214.871.7193 fax
w w w. u p t o w n d a l l a s . n e t
EDITOR
Shazia Shafi
Marketing Coordinator
[email protected]
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
John Armstrong
George Marks
Armstrong Berger
Huitt-Zollars, Inc.
Mikel Bowers
Patricia Meadows
Bell Nunnally &
Martin LLP
Art Connections
Richard Brink
CareTinuum
Richard Brown
REB Consulting
Robert Carrozza
Center City, Inc.
Albert Chapman
Abbott Laboratories, Inc.
Phil Cobb
Cobb Companies
Micki Costello
Uptown Resident
OLD BRIDGE FINDS NEW HOME
Bob Edmonson
Allie Beth Allman
& Associates
Telemachus Evans
Construction is moving at a fervent
Office of Economic
Development
pace at the location of the trolley
Edward Hamilton
turntable. Over the past several weeks the
The Hanover Company
“pit,” which will support the base of the
Judy Smith Hearst
turntable was excavated to 45 feet by 17
feet and then leveled to a depth of 15 feet.
A former Texas Electric bridge structure,
the base of the turntable itself. The reuse
of this trestle will allow the McKinney Ave.
Transit Authority to use larger trolley cars,
which they will be able to turn 180 degrees
in approximately 90 seconds, through
the use of a computerized drive system.
Construction of the turntable should be
completed by the end of October, 2011.
j u n e 2 0 11
ABOVE: Foundation base for the trolley
turntable.
LOOK I NG U P TOW N
Judson Pankey
Prescott Realty Group
Paula Peters
Communities Foundation
Todd Petty
Greenway Investment Co.
Joseph Pitchford
Crescent Real Estate
Equities
James Reeder
Technology Enablers, Inc.
Gary Rice
Gary R. Rice, P.C.
Hank Rossi
Uptown Insurance
Donna Sampson
Celerity
Neal Sleeper
Jack Irwin
Cityplace Company
JCIA, Inc.
Cheryl Thompson
Dennis King
Uptown Resident
Michael Turner
Koons Real Estate Law
J. Elmer Turner
Realtors, Inc.
Paula Lambert
Tiffany Wharton
Mozzarella Company
Gables Residential
Kathy Koons
the railroad into the late 1980s, will form
Adrian Norbury
Rosewood Crescent Hotel
Friends of State-Thomas
Rosewood Property Co.
which was built in 1909 and was used by
Danika Mendrygal
Haynes and Boone, LLP
Jeffrey Manning
Laura VanLoh
Manning Wellness Clinic
Post Properties, Inc.
© 2011 Uptown Dallas, Inc.
All rights reserved.
No portion of this publication may be
reproduced in any form in any media
without the express written permission
of Uptown Dallas, Inc.
page 5
MADEWELL WOMAN
2509 Thomas Ave.
www.madewellobgyn.com
Dr. Yolanda Lawson specializes
in women’s health and is calling
all women to visit her new OBGYN
practice in Uptown. Whether you are
looking for a wellness exam or have
a particular issue you need addressed
the specialist at MadeWell Woman
can help.
KATY TRAIL ICE HOUSE
3136B Routh Street
www.katyicehouse.com
Many have wished for a restaurant
right off The Katy Trail and the KT Ice
House has finally granted those wishes.
The garage style eatery offers a large
patio, full bar, burgers, tex-mex,
smoothies and will soon be serving
breakfast and weekend brunch.
SOL BEN
2404 McKinney Ave.
www.solbenhairstudio.com
Need a hair salon that is open when
you need it to be? Then look no further
than Sol Ben Hair Studio. The new salon
is open 7 days a week, until 8:30 pm
on Wednesdays and Thursdays, with
stylists specializing in color, cuts,
hair extensions, Balayage highlights
and Brazilian Blowouts.
PIERMARINI BOUTIQUE
LUXE DENTAL
33000 Blackburn St.
www.luxedentaldallas.com
Your comfort is the priority at Luxe
Dental. Dr. Tracy Nguyen provides a
luxurious dental experience aided
by the precision of state-of-theart technologies, equipment and
techniques. Free WiFi and iPads are
available in the lobby for you to use as
you await your appointment.
page 6
2701 Hibernia St.
www.piermariniboutique.com
Calling all fashionistas! A brand new
boutique has opened doors on Hibernia,
featuring the latest styles from all over
the world. Stop by and try on fashions
from up-and-coming designers and find
that one-of-a-kind piece to add to your
wardrobe.
VERIZON WIRELESS
2222 McKinney Ave.
www.verizonwireless.com
“Can you hear me now?” If not
stop by and upgrade your phone at
the recently opened Verizon Wireless
store in Uptown Plaza. The corporate
store offers the latest in mobile and
broadband technologies as well as
home phone solutions.
LOOK I NG U P TOW N
vol ume 3, number 2
Post Celebrates
40 Years of Leasing Gold
When you talk about Uptown it is impossible not to mention Post Apartment
Homes given that the company, specializing in luxury apartments, has played a
large part in making Uptown Dallas what it is today. The dynamic company based
out of Atlanta, GA, is celebrating its 40th anniversary and 20 years of real estate
leasing bliss in Uptown.
Having opened doors to the first apartment community on April 15, 1991 with
the completion of Post Meridian located at 2427 Allen Street; Post Apartment
Homes hit leasing gold and it has not slowed down since. Post Meridian broke
ground in 1990 and was ninety percent leased before doors even opened on the
fifteenth of April. Following the success of Post Meridian, the company started
construction on their second project in the Uptown area, Post Worthington, in July
1991. Post Worthington, located on the corner of McKinney Ave. and Worthington,
is one of Post’s larger communities and was completed in 1993. Post went on to
build eight more apartment communities between 1993 and 2000 to give them
a total of ten different locations and 2,079 apartment homes in Uptown Dallas
alone.
Post Apartment Homes was a true pioneer of Uptown Dallas when they were
able to anticipate the growth and high-end lifestyle this area would attract. Laura
Vanloh, Senior Vice President of Post Apartment Homes, said, “Our original intent
was to be a part of developmental efforts that would turn the then-desolate
part of town into a new up-and-coming area, thus attracting young professionals
and businesses to the heart
of the city.” That is exactly
what they did. Post brought
an era of redevelopment to the
neighborhood by foreseeing
the potential of a live-workplay urban community. The
results are apparent in the
mixed-use luxury apartment
communities that are also home
to restaurants, boutiques and
offices. Laura Vanloh said, “Post
bases the abundant magnitude
of success we have enjoyed on
three important assets: best
product, best locations and the
best associates in the industry,
who provide excellent customer
service.”
TOP: Post Meridian was the first Post
apartment complex in Dallas.
ABOVE: One of the luxurious pools found
at Post properties.
BELOW: Uptown looked quite different
20 years ago when Post first completed
its developments.
Uptown Dallas, Inc. commends
Post Apartment Homes on their
40-year anniversary and 20-year
presence in Uptown.
j u n e 2 0 11
LOOK I NG U P TOW N
page 7