At present, the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau is HQ'd out of the Republic Center on N. St. Paul. But the city just sent word: The DCVB late yesterday signed a deal (amount undisclosed) with developer Jack Matthews to move into a yet-to-be constructed office complex next to the convention center hotel. It's a 20-year lease, and the convention and visitors bureau will take 29,000 square feet on the top two floors of the four-story building, which, says DCVB president Phillip Jones in the release that follows, will also feature two restaurants and retail. DCVB's Dustin Clark tells Unfair Park "this is a regular lease transaction for us, as our lease in the building we're currently in is expiring."
Jones is especially giddy about the move, which he says will make it easier to sell the city -- in large part, he says, because "we will have usage rights over an additional 4,000 square-foot rooftop
deck with great views of the city skyline, which will be built out as a
prime reception and event space." Nice. To which Mayor Tom adds: "With its prime location, its stunning views and the anticipated growth
in that part of downtown, this facility gives us a competitive edge that
will translate into solid convention and tourism business for the
city."
Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau Headquarters To Move to Convention Hotel Development in 2012
DALLAS (December 17, 2010) -- The Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau (Dallas CVB) announced that it has signed a 20-year lease to move its headquarters into a new office building to be constructed in the eight-acre development that showcases the new Omni Dallas convention hotel, effective mid-2012.
"The Dallas CVB will occupy 29,000 square feet on the top two floors of the new, four-story building that is built to suit our business needs, from the board room to meeting spaces that capitalize on design efficiencies," said Dallas CVB President/CEO Phillip Jones. "Plans include two restaurants, a business center and retail on the first floor, and we will have usage rights over an additional 4,000 square-foot rooftop deck with great views of the city skyline, which will be built out as a prime reception and event space.
"It's a perfect move for us across from the new convention center hotel and adjacent to the Dallas Convention Center. This will make it much easier for us to showcase the Dallas Convention Center and sell the city," Jones said.
The agreement between the Dallas CVB and developer Matthews Southwest was finalized late yesterday, signaling the company's newest initiative stretching from the civic district to the company's nearby Southside on Lamar, Gilley's and Palladium Ballroom.
"This development is perfectly situated to be the premiere showcase for both the Dallas Convention Center and our city," said Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert. "With its prime location, its stunning views and the anticipated growth in that part of downtown, this facility gives us a competitive edge that will translate into solid convention and tourism business for the city."
In the 15 months following the hotel announcement, the Dallas CVB doubled its city wide bookings compared to the 15 months prior. The bureau has already confirmed 18 city-wide conventions for 2012 and another 19 city-wide meetings for 2013, which is significant considering the historic average for the city of Dallas is 14 such conventions annually.
