Downtown Dallas’ Comerica Bank Tower is set for a major redevelopment that will convert the 60-story skyscraper into a mixed-use complex. Slate Asset Management, based in Toronto, acquired the 1.5 million-square-foot building at 1717 Main Street last year and has partnered with Stream Realty Partners to oversee the transformation.
The project will add residential units, hotel rooms, and retail space while retaining a portion of the existing offices. Stream Realty Partners plans to reconfigure approximately 600,000 square feet of office space on floors 19 through 42. About half of the tower will be adapted for new uses.
Plans include a 242-room hotel on floors nine through 18, topped by 240 apartments—10 percent of which will be designated as affordable housing—and over 10,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space. The design by Dallas-based HKS leverages the building’s three lobbies to create separate entrances for office tenants, residents, and hotel guests.
“Fortunately, the building lays out extraordinarily well for introducing multiple uses,” said Ramsey March of Stream Realty Partners. He added that the plan aims to bring “around-the-clock activity” back to downtown Dallas.
The Comerica Bank Tower was built in 1987 and designed by Phillip Johnson. Currently about half-leased—with Comerica Bank occupying much of it—the bank’s future tenancy is uncertain due to its pending acquisition by Fifth Third Bank. Stream Realty Partners expressed hope that Comerica would remain but acknowledged uncertainty.
HKS intends to preserve Johnson’s architectural features such as arches and barrel vaults while updating interiors and public spaces.
One controversial aspect is an eight-story parking podium replacing the banking hall and plaza along Ervay Street. After criticism from Dallas’ Urban Design Peer Review Panel, Stream revised its design to include a glass-and-fluted façade as well as a rooftop ballroom and pool deck. The new podium will provide about 400 additional parking spaces atop the existing underground garage with 700 spots—a change considered vital for long-term site viability.
Stream aims to begin construction next summer pending City Council approval and further tax increment financing. The two-year redevelopment effort will involve Balfour Beatty as general contractor and Mike Paneri Consulting advising on hotel strategy.
“Fortunately, the building lays out extraordinarily well for introducing multiple uses,” said Ramsey March of Stream Realty Partners. “The plan is meant to bring ‘around-the-clock activity’ back to a downtown long dominated by vacant office floors.”
