The Renaissance Dallas Hotel finished a $35 million renovation in June, which upgraded existing meeting and event space as well as added 30,000 square feet of new space. The hotel, whose distinctive shape stands out along North Stemmons Freeway, now boasts more than 50,000 square feet of meeting space. It includes the new 16,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom, which seats 1,800 theater-style or holds 1,500 for receptions, as well as the new City View and City View Terraces, connected spaces that measure 10,900 square feet total. The expansion was built to achieve a LEED Silver rating from the U.S. Green Building Council.
A new lounge at the Joule Dallas hotel, Midnight Rambler opened in October. The design in the stylish subterranean space has a rock 'n' roll vibe that reflect the space's namesake Rolling Stones song. Its features include terrazzo checkerboard flooring, brass bar tops, and a custom walnut barreled ceiling. Cocktails include distinctly local flavors such as Texas blue corn whiskey, chipotle peppers, and mineral water from the nearby Mineral Wells. Two bars accommodate 20 guests total, and the lounge areas seat 77.
Located in the Dallas Arts District, Proof & Pantry gets its name from its extensive beverage menu—the "proof"—and its seasonal menu. Opened in late August, the restaurant seats 65 inside and about 65 on its patios. A private dining room seats 16. Breckinridge Taylor and Café Build designed the space and incorporates weathered metals, distressed wood accents, and a marble-topped bar. The concept comes from restaurant group Misery Loves Company.
Fort Worth's massive outdoor venue Panther Island Pavilion has added an indoor component called the Shack, which hosted its first event in September. Housed in a former subway maintenance warehouse, the Shack is an indoor concert venue that has a stage, multiple bars, and paneled walls. It holds about 4,500 people.
The 299-room Hilton Dallas/Plano Granite Park opened in August in the master-planned community of Granite Park north of Dallas. The hotel connects via a pedestrian boardwalk to a conference center where the meeting and event space includes the 14,400-square-foot Prairie Ballroom, which holds 1,440 theater-style or 1,350 for receptions.
The 506-room Westin Dallas Fort Worth Airport renovated its 38,000 square feet of meeting space as part of a $1.6 million refresh of the property that finished in September. Working with Meeting Professionals International, the hotel reconfigured the space to consolidate it on the ground floor. Other updates included new carpet, wall vinyl, lighting, art work, paint, woodwork, and chairs for all 19 meeting rooms. The largest space, the 10,540-square-foot Trinity Ballroom, holds 1,200 for receptions or 840 for banquets.
Frisco Gun Club, an upscale shooting range with amenities such as a café and retail shop, is adding new decor to its meeting and event space. The 45,000-square-foot club, just over a year old, has a conference space that holds 100 people classroom-style and comes with audiovisual equipment. A private restaurant in the V.I.P. Club can also be used for events and seats 70 or holds 100 for receptions. The club can arrange to include time at its 40 gun ranges with meetings and events.
Hotel Palomar is now the Highland Dallas, the first hotel in Hilton’s Curio Collection of distinctive properties. The hotel, located in Highland Park, made the switch in August. The 198-room property has 9,000 square feet of flexible event space and remains home to chef John Tesar's Knife restaurant and Exhale Spa.
Pinstack, a bowling alley and entertainment venue, is scheduled to open in January in West Plano. The 51,000-square-foot facility will hold 2,000 people for full buyouts and have 28 bowling lanes, a laser-tag arena, a rock-climbing wall, and a high-ropes course. For smaller events, the venue will offer a private meeting room that holds 250 guests for receptions or 150 guests at banquet rectangles and connects to 10 semiprivate bowling lanes. The V.I.P. space, which will have eight private bowling lanes, will hold 180 guests for receptions or 115 guests at banquet rectangles. A 2,500-square-foot covered patio will have its own 20-foot bar, along with high-definition TVs. It will hold 190 guests for receptions. The venue also will include a full-service restaurant.
Kent & Co. Wines, a Fort Worth wine bar and retail shop owned by the Frank Kent Family of car dealerships, opened in June. It contains a 1,500-bottle wine cellar and a rotating collection of Frank Kent Motor’s new and classic cars. The entire space holds 120 for receptions. For outdoor events, an enclosed patio holds 60 for receptions.
