Dallas City Hall has been named one of Texas’ most endangered historic places, intensifying debate over the future of the landmark downtown building as city leaders consider relocation plans and possible redevelopment of the site.
Preservation Texas announced that Dallas City Hall was included on the nonprofit’s 2026 list of Texas’ Most Endangered Places. The organization said the annual designation is intended to raise awareness and build public support for preserving historically and culturally significant sites across the state.
Designed by internationally known architect I.M. Pei and completed in 1978, Dallas City Hall at 1500 Marilla St. is considered one of the nation’s most recognizable examples of Brutalist civic architecture. Its sloping, inverted pyramid-style design and large public plaza became part of Dallas’ effort to reshape its identity in the years following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
Preservation Texas said Brutalist buildings from that era are increasingly vulnerable to demolition and redevelopment pressures.
“Brutalist-style buildings of this era are especially threatened, and each demolition further erases a chapter of Texas’ architectural and civic legacy,” Evan Thompson, executive director of Preservation Texas, said in a statement, per Candy’sDirt. “Despite deferred maintenance, the structure remains seemingly sound and capable of continued use.”
The listing comes as Dallas officials continue evaluating whether to renovate the aging building or relocate city operations elsewhere. While city leaders generally agree the structure remains fundamentally sound, debate continues over the potential cost of repairs and modernization.
Earlier this year, city staff presented a proposed $1 billion accelerated repair program for City Hall. In response, the Dallas City Council requested additional analysis, including a phased 10-year repair option that city officials are expected to review next week.
Supporters of relocation argue that redeveloping the City Hall property could help revitalize the southern section of downtown Dallas. The discussion has also drawn attention due to speculation about the Dallas Mavericks’ future home. The franchise is widely believed to be interested in the City Hall site and nearby acreage if it remains within Dallas city limits, though the former Valley View Center site in North Dallas has also been mentioned as a possible location.
Preservation Texas noted that City Hall has served as a gathering place for public meetings, protests, and community events for nearly five decades.
Advocates for preservation argue that demolishing the structure would erase a significant piece of Texas architectural history at a time when many Brutalist buildings nationwide are disappearing.
The Dallas Express is asking readers to share their views on the future of Dallas City Hall through a 16-question poll available here.
Dallas City Hall was one of six locations named to the 2026 endangered list. Other sites include Houston’s Garden Oaks Theatre, Austin’s Barton Springs Bridge and the Old English Field Terminal in Amarillo.
