By Salah Izzedin

What is the Dallas Design District?

If you haven’t visited Dallas’ famed Design District, it’s time to go! Located right in the heart of the city about two miles northwest of Downtown, the Design District is an industrial-chic mecca for all-things-design and much, much more. 

Bordered to the southwest by Trammell Crow Park and the east by US 35E, the sprawling district is home to myriad high-end furniture showrooms, art galleries, shopping, and restaurants. 

The District has always been a hub for interior design-oriented spaces, but has been experiencing a recent surge in popularity as a trendy locale for up-and-coming art galleries and innovative restaurants. In fact, the Design District now boasts the highest concentration of art galleries in the city! 

Check out our list of must sees, dos, and eats in the hipster playground known as the Design District.

Top Places to Visit in Dallas Art District

Art in the Dallas Design District

The Design District has its roots in, well, Design, and there is no shortage of design-oriented  places, including wholesale furniture showrooms and specialty interior shops. 

But the arts scene has blossomed in the Design District as a natural companion to the design world. Art galleries in the Design District center on Dragon Street, and extend throughout the district. There is something for every taste, from Contemporary collections to French Impressionism.  

The Goss-Michael Foundation

Standing out from the sea of excellent art galleries in the Design District is the Goss-Michael Foundation. This incredible cutting-edge art gallery was co-founded by George Michael (yes THAT George Michael) and Kenny Goss in 2007, and has been called one of the top private contemporary art museums in the nation. 

The foundation space exhibits works owned by Kenny Goss, including works by important artists like Damien Hirst, Tracy Emin, Michael Quinn, and Sir Michael Craig-Martin. Their mission includes an artist-in-residence program, and they also have a special exhibits gallery to show the work of international artists on a rotating basis. 

In addition, the Goss-Michael Foundation has an active charitable schedule, and has been especially dedicated to supporting artists through the COVID-19 crisis. 

Design District Events

There’s always something happening in the Design District, from Art Walks to wine tastings to gallery openings. The Design District’s website has a full calendar of events available, but here’s what we’re looking forward to:

The Bauhaus in Texas

Now on view at the PDNB Gallery on Manufacturing Street, The Bauhaus in Texas exhibition showcases the work of women artists from Texas, specifically, three artists who were featured in the Women in Abstraction exhibition at Centre Pompidou in Paris: Carlotta Corpron, Ida Lansky and Barbara Maples.

Beverly Wilgus and György Kepes are also included in the exhibition. The exhibition centers on abstract photographs that evoke the influence of the legendary Bauhaus in Germany and its Chicago iteration, The New Bauhaus. 

The Bauhaus in Texas is now on display at the PDNB Gallery through April 2, 2022

Dallas Shopping & Dining 

After a long day of gallery hopping and events, you’ll be glad to know that the Design District offers a first-rate shopping and dining experience. 

Shops on Slocum Street sell French and Classical antiques and mid century-modern furniture. Vintage and thrift shops are to be found on near-by Howell Street, and boutique clothing shops are popping up everywhere. 

The dining options in the Design District are nearly as diverse as the shopping. There is a robust craft brewery scene, with many, like the Community Beer Company, offering gastropub fare alongside their brews. The Meddlesome Moth is another popular gastropub destination.

The Cookery Dallas lets you cook your own gourmet, multi-course dinner under the supervision of a trained-chef, after which you can enjoy the fruits of your labor family-style with friends. Wherever you choose, you will most likely be treated to first-rate food and gorgeous views of the Dallas skyline.

Design District Development

We’ve barely touched on what’s available to see and do in the happening Design District. Development is booming: as the district grows in popularity, Dallas residents are looking to relocate permanently. Boutique hotels and apartments are springing up, with more future buildings planned to allow for a truly unique live-work-play experience. Visit their website for more info, and plan your visit!  

About Salah Izzedin

Salah Izzedin has lived in Dallas for over twenty years. He is a successful businessman and enjoys exploring all the city has to offer.