Downtown Dallas will see a vintage building on Main St. reimagined into a new lounge and event space from Hospitality Alliance.
1519 Main, named after its address, will be located across the street from Joule Dallas in the heart of the Central Business District. Kevin Lillis’ Hospitality Alliance is leading the project to revitalize the two-story property, which the Dallas County Appraisal District dates back to 1928.
“I fell in love with the building,” said Lillis, who also helped create the hi-tech AT&D Discovery District.
“It had so many original features like the rose-and-cream marble floors from the 1920s. I could immediately see a sophisticated lounge on the first floor. It became viable because I have a friend who was looking for office space, so we’re partnering on it, and he’s leasing the second floor,” Lillis said, per CultureMap Dallas.
Once open, patrons can expect exotic cocktails from mixologist and author Brian Van Flandern, who you might recognize from shows like Barefoot Contessa and Bar Rescue. Flandern is also the brains behind the cocktail program at the Palm Court at The Plaza Hotel in New York.
“Brian had done the Plaza Hotel and has a taste for a concept like this, with sophisticated cocktails and 3-Michelin-star service that will match the beautiful space,” Lillis says.
The lounge has been in the works for two years and needed a special use permit before it could officially proceed. The ambitious plan also required the buy-in from neighbors like the St. Jude Chapel, ensuring the project would not substantially impact the area.
Scott Remphrey, CEP of The Brytar Companies and current co-owner, purchased the property from an oil and gas company. Before he acquired it, Bank of America used it, complete with offices and a conference room.
At one point, the vintage property even housed a Planters Peanut Shop before it moved to Elm Street.
Lillis says the refresh will attempt to keep “as much of the original features as possible.”
If all goes to plan, 1519 Main is expected to open in late spring.