With suites that peek down into the courtyard of the Dallas Museum of Art and other nearby attractions, the JW Marriott Dallas Arts District officially opened today in downtown Dallas.

This is the first hotel in Dallas by JW Marriott, the high-end luxury brand named after Marriott’s founder. It’s just a stroll away from the DMA and the Nasher Sculpture Center, Crow Museum of Asian Art, Meyerson Symphony Center, Moody Performance Hall, and the Winspear Opera House.

The 267-room luxury hotel features three restaurants, two lobby spaces, and over 20,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. Fitting its arts district environs, the hotel’s 11th floor sky lobby is “a double volume museum-esque space” with a floating staircase and glass railing. It offers displays of monumental original artworks, including a brass and metal installation created by Dallas-based artist Chris Judy.

Marriott describes the hotel as “a jewel box of fine art, reflected throughout its architecture, design, dining, and amenities, all while honoring JW Marriott’s principles of prioritizing the mind, body, and soul.” More than 20 original artworks in various mediums were commissioned for the hotel’s public areas, representing “the nuances of the North Texas region.”

Designed by HKS and Looney Associates

Vincent’s at JW Marriott Dallas Arts District [Image: JW Marriott]

Built with architectural inventiveness over a massive parking garage, the hotel was designed by Dallas-based HKS, with Looney & Associates designing the interiors. DPR Construction served as general contractor on the project.

Bruce Rohr, global brand leader for JW Marriott, said his company is “excited to bring JW Marriott’s legacy of extraordinary hospitality, thoughtful design, and enriching experiences to the Dallas Arts District.”

“Much like the introspective way guests explore the hotel’s neighboring cultural institutions, JW Marriott Dallas Arts District will provide travelers with even more ways to enjoy every moment to the fullest and find inspiration and moments of mindfulness during their stay,” Rohr added in a statement.   

Margaret’s, Vincent’s, and the 800 North cocktail lounge

Margaret’s at JW Marriott Dallas Arts District [Image: JW Marriott]

Earlier this month, Dallas Innovates previewed three key attractions of the JW Marriott Dallas Arts District: Margaret’s, a ranch-to-table concept featuring “elevated” breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus (it was named after the late Dallas philanthropist Margaret McDermott); Vincent’s, a Van Gogh-inspired open-air, sky-level terrace bar; and 800 North, a street-level cocktail lounge on North Harwood Street offering “sophisticated yet approachable ambiance where hotel guests and locals will enjoy inventive beverages.” 

You can find out more about all three of these attractions in our preview article here.

‘Mid-air’ pool, a ballroom with ‘knife’s edge’ ceiling detail, and more

800 North at JW Marriott Dallas Arts District [Image: JW Marriott]

Some of the hotel’s other features include a “mid-air pool and deck” with cabanas, offering stunning views of downtown; the nearly 8,000-square-foot Harwood Ballroom, featuring a contemporary “knife’s edge” ceiling detail for lighting; and a Blank Canvas Room dubbed the Pearl Room—a customizable, all-white, 3,555-square-foot meeting room with hardwood flooring.

Encouraging a sense of mindfulness, four “serene spaces” are tucked into niches within the hotel’s lobby and pre-function areas, created by the hotel “for guests to discreetly step away, take a break, or connect with their thoughts. Soft upholstered seating in meditative colors and textures offer a brief respite for those in need of one.”

“Guests arriving at JW Marriott Dallas Arts District are sure to be wowed by the spectacular design, works of art, and breathtaking views, but the experience doesn’t stop there,” Mike Culver, the hotel’s GM, said in a statement. “Our expert associates look forward with great anticipation to welcoming our guests and surpassing their expectations for warm, inviting luxury in this cultural hub neighborhood.”

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