“Great design has a way of lasting. If you look at Johnson and Burgee's other Dallas building–The Crescent–it has stood the test of time and like Comerica Bank Tower, remains one of the top buildings in the city,” said Moczulski.

In the past, the success at the property has largely been based on the design–but now the neighborhood has caught up to the building with numerous conversions of obsolete product in the area. During the past several years, the adjacent space has quietly turned into the top walkable amenity base in the city. In fact, its 97 WalkScore surpasses the amenities provided in Uptown or the Arts District. The Walkscore is based on the distance to the closest amenity in each category.

“The conversions of the older, obsolete structures surrounding the building along with the top walk score in the city have given the building added appeal,” Mike Silliman, senior vice president of leasing with M-M Properties tells GlobeSt.com. “I see this building in photography and the signage gives it branding and prominence on the skyline. The design really was ahead of its time.”

The neighborhood appeal is only expected to increase during the next six months with the completion of many conversions and relocations. Those include the Statler Hotel & Residences conversion, Dallas Morning News' relocation to the old Dallas Public Library, St. Elm Hotel opening, Corgan lofts conversion and UNT law school's move to the recently restored municipal building.

“I think in the next six months we are going to begin to see a shift in demand as tenants realize you can get one of the top three buildings in the city, the top walkable amenity base in the market, all at a $10 to $25 per square foot discount to comparable options in the Arts District and Uptown,” Silliman adds.

The choice of the building by Comerica for its headquarters is noteworthy beyond face value, says the leasing team. It also aids in leasing other similar-type companies.

“Retaining the HQ for the bank fits perfectly with our strategy of recruiting professional service firms to the building,” says Joel McCarty, senior vice president with M-M Properties. “The bank's success at the building should send a message to other firms that you can recruit and retain top talent from this location.”

Comerica Bank

DALLAS—Comerica Bank Tower was designed by the architectural team of Philip Johnson and John Burgee. The building at 1717 Main St. was completed in 1987 and is the second tallest skyscraper in Dallas.

Comerica Bank made its original commitment to the downtown building in 2007 when it relocated its corporate headquarters to Dallas. Recently reaffirming its commitment to Dallas, Comerica has extended its lease of 222,000 square feet at Comerica Bank Tower through September 2028.

“Comerica's recommitment to downtown is very exciting and an indicator of the positive improvements that have occurred and are ongoing in the neighborhood around the building,” says Ken Moczulski, founder and CEO of M-M Properties.

The building was originally designed for another bank, Mercantile Bank, and has a unique building-within-a-building design, giving the bank separate elevators and entrance, combined with a series of the now popular super floor plates (45,000 square feet). It was this forward-thinking design that provided the optimum space solution for Comerica in its original selection of the building and the design still works today.

“Great design has a way of lasting. If you look at Johnson and Burgee's other Dallas building–The Crescent–it has stood the test of time and like Comerica Bank Tower, remains one of the top buildings in the city,” said Moczulski.

In the past, the success at the property has largely been based on the design–but now the neighborhood has caught up to the building with numerous conversions of obsolete product in the area. During the past several years, the adjacent space has quietly turned into the top walkable amenity base in the city. In fact, its 97 WalkScore surpasses the amenities provided in Uptown or the Arts District. The Walkscore is based on the distance to the closest amenity in each category.

“The conversions of the older, obsolete structures surrounding the building along with the top walk score in the city have given the building added appeal,” Mike Silliman, senior vice president of leasing with M-M Properties tells GlobeSt.com. “I see this building in photography and the signage gives it branding and prominence on the skyline. The design really was ahead of its time.”

The neighborhood appeal is only expected to increase during the next six months with the completion of many conversions and relocations. Those include the Statler Hotel & Residences conversion, Dallas Morning News' relocation to the old Dallas Public Library, St. Elm Hotel opening, Corgan lofts conversion and UNT law school's move to the recently restored municipal building.

“I think in the next six months we are going to begin to see a shift in demand as tenants realize you can get one of the top three buildings in the city, the top walkable amenity base in the market, all at a $10 to $25 per square foot discount to comparable options in the Arts District and Uptown,” Silliman adds.

The choice of the building by Comerica for its headquarters is noteworthy beyond face value, says the leasing team. It also aids in leasing other similar-type companies.

“Retaining the HQ for the bank fits perfectly with our strategy of recruiting professional service firms to the building,” says Joel McCarty, senior vice president with M-M Properties. “The bank's success at the building should send a message to other firms that you can recruit and retain top talent from this location.”