The specialty retail space at The Drever will be unlike anything that is offered in Dallas street retail today, says CBRE. Some of the targeted uses include specialty food users, such as an urban small gourmet products grocer, and specialty apparel and accessories concepts. Adding to its appeal and cross-shopping possibilities is fact that the property is within walking distance of the flagship location of Dallas-based Neiman Marcus and renowned boutique Forty Five Ten.

Dallas-based architects, Merriman Anderson/Architects, are the lead architects and designers designing the interior and exterior. Andres Construction has been named construction manager and Architectural Arts Company is serving as the fine arts consultancy.

“Both CBRE and Lincoln saw the ownership's vision and new direction for this landmark project in our city's center,” said Jerry Merriman, president of Merriman Anderson/Architects, architects and designers for the renovation of The Drever. “What made them both stand out were the teams' reputations and documented track records delivering the strongest mix of retail tenants and attracting the multifamily residents that will propel the building to world-class stature.”

Sitting on an entire city block bounded by Elm Street, Pacific Avenue, Akard Street and North Field Street, the location offers the building's residents the convenience to go from their front doors to the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Akard Street Station. The Drever is within walking distance of the Dallas Arts District, Klyde Warren Park, downtown restaurants and office towers. The building's 95 walkability factor is attractive to renters desiring a central location where cars are not needed for daily work commutes and errands.

“The Drever is an iconic building on its way to arriving,” said Gosnell. “We are scanning nationally and internationally for top restaurants to anchor the proudest corner of the whole development, Elm and Akard. Because of the high-quality finishes and second-to-none design throughout the building, this will quickly become a notable location. Retailers are attracted to the careful attention to quality, detail and design that is going into every inch of this mixed-use project, along with the value proposition of the built-in customer base of the building's boutique hotel, luxury apartments and surrounding residential and office buildings.”

The residents will enjoy ample parking, shared amenities with the hotel and access to a wraparound entertainment and relaxation deck on the ninth floor that will include a pool, fitness center, luxurious spa, dog park and dining options with sweeping views from floors 23 to 48. The residential tower begins where most Dallas high-rise apartments top out. The finishes will become more sophisticated and unit sizes will increase as the floors rise, with penthouses planned for the top three floors.

“Because of the significant investment by the Drever family and other investors in this building, we diligently reviewed multifamily management companies and commercial real estate companies that would deliver the level of expertise that our investors deserve in this classic Dallas building in its downtown district,” Frank Marro, CEO of Drever Capital Management, tells GlobeSt.com. “Both CBRE and Lincoln embraced our new direction and offered valuable guidance to help deliver a sought-after residential, retail and restaurant destination unlike any other in the city. Both teams of experts understand what's needed to bring the building to life again and add value to the downtown community as well as create favorable results to our investment in The Drever.”​

DALLAS—Leasing activity is buzzing at The Drever, even though the architectural landmark still under construction. In the end, it will be redeveloped into a luxury high-rise combining retail, office, hotel, residential, spa and restaurants located in the core of downtown.

Plans for The Drever focus on reimagining an office building that has been vacant for several years and holds a lot of Dallas' most storied history. It will be transformed into a community-driven gathering place for living, working, shopping, visiting and relaxing. Inviting art installations are planned throughout the building to enhance the city's adjacent culturally rich arts district.

A soon-to-be approximately 40,000 square feet of retail space at the 1.5-million-square-foot tower is in the process of identifying tenants. CBRE Inc. has been appointed by owner and developer Drever CapitalManagement as the exclusive retail space leasing agent. The CBRE leasing team of Jack Gosnell, senior vice president, retail consultant and leasing broker, and Amy MacLaren, vice president, retail consultant and leasing broker, are leading the marketing group. And, Lincoln Property Company has been awarded the management and leasing of the 324 multifamily units on floors 22 to 48 of the mixed-use 52-story conversion project which is expected to be complete in spring 2018.

“The retailers we plan to target for this project include specialty food and amenity service retail to benefit not only the residents of the building and downtown, but the visitors and tourists that will visit the hotel,” said MacLaren. “Our initial marketing efforts have uncovered both national and international restaurateurs that have interest in the project.”

The specialty retail space at The Drever will be unlike anything that is offered in Dallas street retail today, says CBRE. Some of the targeted uses include specialty food users, such as an urban small gourmet products grocer, and specialty apparel and accessories concepts. Adding to its appeal and cross-shopping possibilities is fact that the property is within walking distance of the flagship location of Dallas-based Neiman Marcus and renowned boutique Forty Five Ten.

Dallas-based architects, Merriman Anderson/Architects, are the lead architects and designers designing the interior and exterior. Andres Construction has been named construction manager and Architectural Arts Company is serving as the fine arts consultancy.

“Both CBRE and Lincoln saw the ownership's vision and new direction for this landmark project in our city's center,” said Jerry Merriman, president of Merriman Anderson/Architects, architects and designers for the renovation of The Drever. “What made them both stand out were the teams' reputations and documented track records delivering the strongest mix of retail tenants and attracting the multifamily residents that will propel the building to world-class stature.”

Sitting on an entire city block bounded by Elm Street, Pacific Avenue, Akard Street and North Field Street, the location offers the building's residents the convenience to go from their front doors to the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Akard Street Station. The Drever is within walking distance of the Dallas Arts District, Klyde Warren Park, downtown restaurants and office towers. The building's 95 walkability factor is attractive to renters desiring a central location where cars are not needed for daily work commutes and errands.

“The Drever is an iconic building on its way to arriving,” said Gosnell. “We are scanning nationally and internationally for top restaurants to anchor the proudest corner of the whole development, Elm and Akard. Because of the high-quality finishes and second-to-none design throughout the building, this will quickly become a notable location. Retailers are attracted to the careful attention to quality, detail and design that is going into every inch of this mixed-use project, along with the value proposition of the built-in customer base of the building's boutique hotel, luxury apartments and surrounding residential and office buildings.”

The residents will enjoy ample parking, shared amenities with the hotel and access to a wraparound entertainment and relaxation deck on the ninth floor that will include a pool, fitness center, luxurious spa, dog park and dining options with sweeping views from floors 23 to 48. The residential tower begins where most Dallas high-rise apartments top out. The finishes will become more sophisticated and unit sizes will increase as the floors rise, with penthouses planned for the top three floors.

“Because of the significant investment by the Drever family and other investors in this building, we diligently reviewed multifamily management companies and commercial real estate companies that would deliver the level of expertise that our investors deserve in this classic Dallas building in its downtown district,” Frank Marro, CEO of Drever Capital Management, tells GlobeSt.com. “Both CBRE and Lincoln embraced our new direction and offered valuable guidance to help deliver a sought-after residential, retail and restaurant destination unlike any other in the city. Both teams of experts understand what's needed to bring the building to life again and add value to the downtown community as well as create favorable results to our investment in The Drever.”​