One of Dallas’s favorite central neighborhoods is the Design District, just northwest of downtown. Once a collection of warehouses, in recent years it has become a magnet for those seeking a thriving urban lifestyle. The area is known for fine dining, a happening nightlife, and luxury apartments. It takes its name from the many art galleries spread throughout the district so it obviously has a strong appeal for art lovers, but it offers attractions for everyone—the Trinity Strand Trail for lovers of the outdoors, a wide variety of upscale retailers, even, according to the Dallas Observer, the best bowling alley in the city. (Yes, really. Even if bowling isn’t normally your thing, consider checking out Bowlounge, a funky warehouse space with where you can enjoy craft beers and cocktails as you bowl in the vintage-style lanes.)
If you’re considering moving to the Design District, here are a few apartments to check out.
The Alta’s biggest draw may be its many community living spaces. A game room offers billiards, plasma TVs, a media center with Wii systems, and vintage arcade games. There’s a resident lounge featuring a fully stocked coffee and tea bar, a business center, and a 24-hour fitness center. All shared spaces offer wi-fi. However, perhaps the most attractive space is outdoors—a private garden courtyard with a gas grill, outdoor fireplace, a fountain feature, a two-story terrace and lounge with a spectacular view of the skyline, and a resort-style pool. The Alta is pet-friendly, and boasts a quarter-mile-long dog run. Services include valet trash collection with recycling pickups, nightly security patrols and 24-hour emergency maintenance.
Apartments include studios and one- and two-bedrooms. Units boast faux-wood flooring, living room ceiling fans, and ample storage space. The open kitchens include granite countertops, tile backsplashes, and stainless steel appliances. All have washers and dryers and security alarms. A wide range of upgrades allows you to choose the space that fits your needs. Options include walk-in closets, patios or balconies, built-in computer desks with bookshelves, garden soaking tubs, and woven bamboo flooring.
The Bell does not hold back when it comes to amenities to attract—and keep—its tenants. Even its standard apartments are decorated and equipped in luxury. Apartments are one- or two-bedroom. Kitchens are gorgeous, featuring stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, Spanish mosaic tile backsplashes, and pendant lighting. Bathrooms feature European-tiled showers and garden soaking tubs. All units have washers and dryers and walk-in closets. Many offer patios. Optional amenities include 42-inch flat screen TVs, in-wall iPod docking stations, and in-ceiling speaker stations.
One of the Bell’s more unique communal amenities is a pristine saltwater pool with underwater speakers. The saltwater involves less chlorine than standard pools, and thus is much easier on many people’s eyes and skin. There’s also a high tech fitness center, a media center, and a game room with billiards. The apartment is pet friendly and offers two outdoor pet parks. Parking is offered in a direct-access gated garage.
Video-monitored bike storage is available.
Trinity Loft is a gated community designed on the unique live-work principle, where living and work spaces are integrated seamlessly within one community, a perfect design for entrepreneurs. Amenities to promote this approach include an on-site conference room, wi-fi in public spaces, and retail showrooms for rent right on the premises with direct client access.
On the living side of things, Trinity offers a TV lounge, a fitness center, a dog park, and a rooftop terrace lounge with view of downtown and the Trinity River. Indoors you’ll find a three story atrium that serves as a comfortable communal living space.
Units come in studio size all the way up to three bedrooms. There 22 different floor plans to choose from, and each offers something a bit different, but in general the apartments are spacious, open, and beautifully designed.
The first thing you’ll notice about the Hi Line is that it is absolutely gorgeous. Every detail of the building, the landscaping, and the interior design is coordinated with consideration. The saltwater infinity-edge pool with underwater sound system overlooks the Dallas skyline, lined with comfortable cabanas with iPod docking stations, and nearby you’ll also find a fire pit lounge area and barbeque pits. At some distance, nestled among the trees, you’ll find a quiet relaxation/reading area. Further afield, the pet promenade offers a covered walking area for dogs. Indoors, residents enjoy the Skyline Lounge, with an executive conference center that can be reserved for special events, flat-screen TVs, and a catering-quality kitchen. There’s a fitness center, and wi-fi is available throughout.
Apartments are available with one or two bedrooms, with or without a separate den. In each unit you’ll find floor-to-ceiling glass windows, hardwood floors, private terraces, and gourmet kitchens with granite countertops and top-of-the-line appliances. Every unit boasts a surround sound speaker system. Bathrooms feature oversized walk-in showers, and premium units include Jacuzzi tubs.
The Southwestern’s unique draw lies in its history—the historic 1928 building was updated with modern features and reopened as a luxury apartment community in 2013, boasting the environmentally sound LEED certification. Crafted with reclaimed brick, glass, art and metals, these one- and two-bedroom units nonetheless offer the finest modern design elements—gourmet kitchens with granite countertops and tile backsplashes, frieze carpet accompanied with rich wood plank flooring (with an option to upgrade to stained concrete floors), designer lighting, bathrooms with spa-type showers and optional soaking tubs, and much more. Private patios or balconies feature storage accessible from your own unit.
Community amenities include a relaxing outdoor loggia, courtyard with seating, a saltwater pool, and al fresco grilling stations, and a pet park for the pooches. Indoors you’ll find a club lounge, 24-hour gym, and gaming area. A business center is complemented by study and meeting suites and an onsite conference room. All common areas offer wi-fi. Concierge services and dry cleaning are available.
