Union Dallas Targets Two-Year Completion Plan

The mixed-use project is a connection point for the city’s business and residential districts.

DALLAS—Construction is officially underway for The Union Dallas , the approximately 800,000-square-foot office, residential and retail project that is scheduled to be completed in 2018. First announced in May 2014, RED Development , the project developer, is leading the overall design, development and construction of the two-tower mixed-use project that offers 417,000 square feet of class-A office space, a 309-unit residential high-rise building and 87,000 square feet of retail space. Strategic project partner, StreetLights Residential , is leading the design and development for the 23-floor residential tower offering 309 luxury apartment homes and distinctive amenities. Tom Bakewell, StreetLights’ president of development, announced the name of the residential tower, The Christopher . “The Union perfectly embodies StreetLights’ mission of creating quality mixed-use developments with community-driven design at the forefront,” said Bakewell. “Our team is working hard to create a warm, inviting space at The Christopher for future residents and the area, while adding value to the surrounding neighborhoods and the city of Dallas. We are committed to the project’s success as both a partner and a tenant, and moving our headquarters here reinforces our investment in this project.” Plans were also announced at the groundbreaking ceremony to welcome Dallas’ first restaurant location of The Henry, a Sam Fox restaurant that will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. The new restaurant will also feature a full coffee bar open daily at 6:30 a.m. serving breakfast and lunch items with a convenient pickup window for coffee, pastries and more. The approximately 10,000-square-foot restaurant will be the first location outside Phoenix, where the restaurant group is based. The Henry will be the second Sam Fox restaurant in Dallas, joining the successful True Food Kitchen . “The Henry is a true reflection of everything we stand for, from innovative food to creating a gathering place where the community can come together,” said Sam Fox, founder of Fox Restaurant Concepts . “Our team is proud to have the opportunity to bring this restaurant to a city that has some of the most highly respected culinary talent in the country.” Two premier professional services firms were previously announced to be moving to The Union Dallas. One of the nation’s largest law firms, Vinson & Elkins , announced plans late last year to move its firm to the project in 2018. Vinson & Elkins will lease approximately 82,000 square feet and occupy three floors of the signature office building. Weaver, the largest independent accounting firm in the Southwest, will move its Dallas office to approximately 58,000 square feet and two floors in the office tower. Located at Field Street and Cedar Springs Road, the mixed-use project is a connection point for many of Dallas’ most vibrant business and residential districts including Downtown, Uptown, the Arts District and Victory Park neighborhoods. Located within walking distance of Dallas’ premier sports, entertainment, museum and outdoor park venues, the signature 22-story office tower offers sweeping views of the city with conveniences and amenities to tenants. Designed by Dallas-based architect, HKS Inc., with DPR as the general contractor, the project will include a 60,000-square-foot Tom Thumb grocery store on the ground floor to provide on-site grocery shopping. A 21,000-square-foot green space and events plaza created by top Texas landscape designer, James Burnett , will be surrounded by other retail stores and dining options on the street level ranging from white tablecloth to fast-casual. The central plaza will include water features, seating areas, trees and a performance area. Mike Ebert, managing partner, Jeff Moloznik and Paul Rowsey with RED Development are leading the development team; Mike Kallner with RED Development oversees retail leasing along with CBRE/UCR’s urban retail and leasing team; John Brownlee and Sarah Hinkley with Peloton Commercial Real Estate are leasing and marketing the office tower. Ebert tells GlobeSt.com: “RED wanted to design a place that connected office, retail and residential spaces, where people work and live, near neighboring developments such as Uptown, Victory Park, Downtown, Klyde Warren Park, Katy Trail and the museums. That’s why we came up with the name The Union. It is uniquely situated at the intersection of five city streets and connects these areas. It allows people the opportunity of work, live, play.”