Dallas Virgin
A new Dallas Virgin: Swanky chain plans first Texas hotel in major expansion
Virgin Hotels, the lifestyle hotel brand by Virgin Group founder Richard Branson, has confirmed it will open a hotel in Dallas, in one of the city's hottest neighborhoods: the Design District. The property will be located on Hi Line Drive and Turtle Creek Boulevard, and it is expected to open in 2018.
The company was considering a number of locations, but Virgin Hotels CEO Raul Leal said in a release that the company is "ecstatic" to be part of the Design District.
"With chic stores, eclectic galleries and upscale restaurants, we expect Virgin Hotels to move into the neighborhood seamlessly, as its aesthetic and offerings will attract growing local creative class and business travelers," Leal said.
The "lifestyle" hotel will have more than 200 rooms, including grand chamber suites. The property will offer multiple dining and drinking outlets, including its flagship Commons Club, a rooftop terrace with a pool, gym and spa.
This continues Dallas' ongoing love affair with Branson, whose Virgin America airline is now flying out of Love Field, with lots of nonstop flights and competitive fares that benefit travelers to and from Dallas.
Virgin Hotels Dallas will be a new build located within the 33 acres that developer Dunhill Partners and its founder Bill Hutchins acquired in 2014. In addition to Dunhill, the property will be developed by Vinculum Partners and the Crosland Group; it will be managed by Virgin Hotels.
Virgin is opening hotels in all the major cities. The most recent opening was in Chicago, with Nashville and New York next. The company is looking at cities such as Austin, Boston, Los Angeles, Miami, Seattle, San Francisco, Washington D.C. and London, be it conversions or ground-up development.
