Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson’s lifestyle hotel brand announced the official opening of its highly anticipated third property, Virgin Hotels Dallas.
Located in the Dallas Design District on 1445 Turtle Creek Blvd, the new-build hotel features 268 Chambers that includes two penthouse suites, The Pool Club, a fourth-floor rooftop terrace with pool, and multiple dining and drinking outlets, including the brand’s flagship restaurant, bar and lounge, Commons Club and Funny Library Coffee Shop. The hotel also offers over 15,500-square-feet of versatile indoor and outdoor event space.
“I’ve always had so much fun visiting Dallas, so I’m thrilled that Virgin will have a home in this exciting city. Our hotel in the Dallas Design District will have all the signature features of a Virgin Hotels including the Commons Club, our beautiful Chambers and my personal favorite, the Yes button. But I think I’m most excited to take a dip in our wonderful rooftop pool,” said Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group.
The hotel features collaborative designs from the interior designer of record Dallas-based SWOON, the studio and Austin-basedJoel Mozersky Design, who oversaw the design for the hotel’s junction (lobby), Commons Club, Funny Library Coffee Shop and Penthouse Suites. Under SWOON, the studio’s creative vision, the hotel embraces an artful design sensibility that celebrates Dallas’ vibrant arts and culture scene while creating a strong sense of place through natural textures and materials, hand-crafted elements and touches of fun and whimsy.
“I could not have found a more perfect hotel for the Design District and everything it offers to the city of Dallas than Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Hotels. Pinpointing a location for Virgin Hotels Dallas was simple since Virgin Group identifies with so many of the same edgy characteristics that make the Design District popular. It will be the heartbeat of the hottest entertainment district and the biggest jewel in our crown,” said Bill Hutchinson, President and CEO of Dunhill Partners and Developer and Owner of Virgin Hotels Dallas.
“Guests of Virgin Hotels that visit Dallas will notice a lot of key brand features like our flagship Commons Club and Funny Library Coffee Shop, but this property will feel inherently Dallas with our first rooftop pool deck overlooking the Dallas skyline complete with a Secret Garden,” said Raul Leal, CEO of Virgin Hotels.
Ranging from 323 to 1,395-square-feet, Chambers are bright and airy with warm textiles and Design District-sourced accessories and lighting. The Dressing Room includes a full vanity tucked between two white oak closet systems, sit-down makeup desk with mounted illuminated mirror, and an extra-large shower with a bench. A sliding wooden door (complete with peephole) separates it from The Lounge, which features Virgin’s patented ergonomically designed bed with a channel-tufted headboard, a red SMEG® mini-fridge stocked with street-priced snacks, High Definition TV and yoga mat. Other design touches include striped flannel wallcoverings, crisp white bedding trimmed in red piping, a plush curved sofa and sculptural brass fixtures. All Chambers feature custom lighting on sensors that automatically illuminate when guests move and ample outlets for smartphones and other electronic devices.
The hotel offers guests three dining and drinking options including, Commons Club, a dynamic restaurant, bar and lounge designed to feel like a modern social club in a playful, sophisticated environment. Commons Club includes The Kitchen by Matt McCallister, where the celebrated chef showcases a refined seasonally driven menu with French influence. The Bar offers a cocktail program rooted in classics and features specially curated live entertainment. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, the ground-level restaurant features an open kitchen with community chef’s table, wrap-round dog-friendly patio and The Shag Room, a ’70s-inspired space ideal for cocktails or an intimate reception.
Located on the ground floor, Funny Library Coffee Shop pours coffee by Laughing Man®, the brand co-founded by actor Hugh Jackman and offers a mix of pastries and fresh and healthy lite bites. The coffee shop is a communal workspace that houses an assortment of whimsical and funny books and games. Walnut wood-paneled walls and a coffered ceiling with brass inlays intermingle with checkerboard tables to create a playful environment to work or recharge.
The Pool Club is a lush, magical rooftop space located on the fourth floor with a stunning pool overlooking the Dallas skyline where guests can relax in a social setting amidst greenery and trees with hanging Moroccan lanterns. A Secret Garden covered in vines can be accessed through a custom-designed gate illustrating Texas clichés to find a hanging chair, hot tub and a pierced steel illuminating bar. Adjacent to the outdoor space is The Pool Club bar, which features glass walls that slide open in beautiful weather. The luxe rooftop bar includes brass seamed terrazzo flooring and a bar covered in different marbles with a dramatic black steel and glass vitrine laden with plants.
