Well, That Was Quick: The Old Downtown Post Office, Courthouse Set to Reopen October 7

Seems like only seven months ago, give or take, that we were told of developer Shawn Todd's plans to restore the built-in-'30 U.S. Post Office and Courthouse at 400 N. Ervay, easily one of downtown's brightest jewels. Said the announcement, which was hailed by politicians and preservationists, Todd would convert the federal facility into "luxury living," with 6,000 square feet of residential amenities (including a theater) topped off with a 20,000-square foot rooftop deck. That was January 28. On October 7, the place actually opens -- at least, that's when the first move-in's scheduled.

You can see what Todd's done with the place here; take the virtual tour. They're now taking reservations if you're interested, with rents opening at 'round $1,300 -- or, what 1401 Elm's new owner would call "affordable."  Reason I found out it's opening soon: Preservation Dallas has been invited to tour the building next week, and we just may tag along for a slide show tour. Amy Laws, the owner's rep, says 400 N. Ervay should be fully opened by year's end.

And, yes, the post office remains open. "It brings some really nice life to the lobby," says Laws, who adds that Todd plans to fill in remaining 6,000 square feet of ground-level retail sooner than later ... perhaps with "an upscale grocery," kind of like an Eatzi's. "Shawn's talking to people every day," she says this morning, about filling the first floor.