Project includes office, retail, restaurants, a residential tower, and boutique hotel in historic Union Bankers Building
Westdale and KDC have started construction on The Epic, a mixed-use, transit-oriented development in Dallas’ most unique and authentic neighborhood – Deep Ellum.
“The Epic will complement Deep Ellum and provide state-of-the-art office space, residential and hospitality to the neighborhood, further contributing to Deep Ellum’s resurgence and sustainability as Dallas’ most unique urban neighborhood,” said Joe Beard, CEO, Westdale.
The Epic will be developed on an eight-acre site which is currently occupied by the historic Union Bankers Building located at Good Latimer Expressway and Pacific Street, adjacent to the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Deep Ellum Station. The project, which will feature an office building, residential tower, and boutique hotel, will transform the western end of Deep Ellum on land Westdale has owned for more than 20 years.
“This is one of the most unique projects KDC has ever undertaken, and we are thrilled to be working with Westdale on this special and exciting project,” said Steve Van Amburgh, CEO of KDC. “The Epic will attract millennials and tenants looking for the authenticity that comes with adaptive re-use projects, but also the modern efficiencies and amenities of new construction. Plus, the views of Deep Ellum and Downtown Dallas are absolutely phenomenal.”
KDC is developing the 250,000-square-foot office tower, which will have average floor plate of 25,000 square feet on 10 office floors – each with unobstructed views of Downtown Dallas to the west and Deep Ellum to the east. Amenities include a modern lobby designed to reflect the art, culture and energy of Deep Ellum, along with a rooftop café and amenity deck with a fitness center. Retail space will line the ground level of the office building, along with the first floor of the future multifamily tower in a pedestrian-oriented internal streetscape designed to mimic the existing scale in Deep Ellum.
KDC plans to seek LEED Gold certification for the core and shell of the office building. Perkins + Will is the architect for the office tower and Balfour Beatty is the general contractor. CBRE’s Dennis Barnes, Tommy Nelson and Kenzie Killgore will lease the office tower.
“Set in the heart of Downtown Dallas with an urban vibe, this transit-oriented development will be ideal for companies looking to meet the needs of young, creative employees,” said Ron Stelmarski, design director for Perkins + Will. “Tenants will have direct access to major highways and a DART station within walking distance, not to mention several retail options in the same building.”
The new Pittman Hotel will be built within the existing Union Bankers Building, a century-old registered landmark that was once the Knights of Pythias Temple and originally designed by noted black architect William Sydney Pittman. Completed in 1916, it doubled as a life insurance company and provided office space for many of Dallas’ African American doctors, dentists and professionals. The 164-room boutique hotel will be designed to reclaim and evoke the unique history of the location and keep its Beaux Arts structure with tall, arched windows and a neo-classical façade and ballroom on the fourth floor. Vine Street Ventures, Inc. is the developer for the Pittman Hotel and the contractor has yet to be awarded.
“Considered one of the most distinctive buildings in Deep Ellum, we have been careful to keep its integrity intact as we adapt the space for 21st century needs,” said Jeff Cohen, CEO, Vine Street Ventures, Inc. “After sitting vacant for 20 years, we are honored to have the opportunity to bring this building back to life while keeping its rich history at the forefront so that guests can appreciate its transformation.”
The Epic will also include a 300-unit residential tower developed by StreetLights Residential. At 20 stories, it will be the second tallest building in Deep Ellum. Craig Henry from Looney Ricks Kiss is the architect for the residential tower, 5G Studio is the interior designer, and StreetLights Residential is the general contractor.
“The Epic residential tower is inspired by the classic architecture of Main Street and the industrial buildings in Deep Ellum,” said Doug Chesnut, CEO, StreetLights Residential. “The building will have two personalities with the Elm Street façade reflecting an early industrial aesthetic and the inner façade that we call ‘the music,’ reflecting the musical and artistic energy of the district.”
Kimley-Horn is the civil engineer for the entire project. The office tower, Pythias Hotel, and the residential tower are slated for completion in late 2019.
About KDC
KDC is a leading corporate build-to-suit development and investment firm for companies across the country. Within the last 27 years, KDC has produced approximately 30 million square feet valued at over $5 billion. KDC addresses the future of Corporate America by developing walkable, mixed-use urban environments anchored by notable clients, and specializes in datacenter and broadcast studio build-to-suits. KDC's portfolio includes developments for Toyota North America, Liberty Mutual, State Farm (Dallas and Atlanta offices), FedEx, Raytheon, and J.P Morgan Chase. KDC is headquartered in Dallas and is supported by a national team. For more information, please visit kdc.com.
About Westdale Properties
Westdale is a strategic real estate investment firm that owns, develops and manages commercial projects across the country. Since 1991, Westdale has acquired 200 commercial properties in 30 cities, representing a total capitalization of greater than $4 billion. With in-house property management, leasing and construction services, Westdale’s 1200 employees effectively drive a leading, top 50 U.S vertically integrated commercial real estate firm. Westdale is headquartered in Dallas and has offices nationwide. For more information, kindly visit www.westdale.com.
About StreetLights Residential
StreetLights Residential specializes in new urbanist apartment homes and mixed-use developments. Its business plan focuses on building around neighborhoods with the highest home prices (price per square foot). With in-house development, design and construction expertise, the StreetLights team focuses on building custom luxury communities which rival the experience, lifestyle and amenities of living in an urban boutique hotel. StreetLights has numerous urban infill projects throughout the country with more than 9,400 multifamily units completed, in progress or projected in 11 cities across six states. Since StreetLights’ inception in 2011, the company has grown to more than 150 employees in its development and construction companies and has offices in Dallas, Austin, Houston; Atlanta; Orlando, Fla; Phoenix; and, San Diego. For more information, visit www.streetlightsres.com.
About Vine Street Ventures
VSV is a privately held company, headquartered in Dallas with a primary focus on the development of upper-upscale, design driven hospitality and mixed-use projects in high-barrier domestic urban markets. VSV develops these properties with institutional partners and is intentionally positioned as a “low volume, high margin” firm in which flexibility, speed and its critical core competences are emphasized. VSV uses a “best practices” philosophy and believes in both brand and sponsorship as fundamental aspects of development which occupy equal stature with location and design. VSV’s portfolio includes developments in Nashville, Dallas, Los Angeles and Philadelphia. For more information, please visit www.vsvinc.net.
