DALLAS — Read this story and more North Texas business news from our partners at the Dallas Business Journal
Construction work has finally begun to restore a long-shuttered restaurant space in the center of downtown Dallas, where a restaurant concept from Chicago could make its Texas debut.
The City of Dallas issued building permits for the renovation of the former Iron Cactus restaurant space at 1520 Main St. downtown March 26. The Tex-Mex restaurant closed during the Covid-19 pandemic and does not appear to have reopened since, though it still has locations in Austin and San Antonio.
Both city and state documents point to The Hampton Social as the new tenant. The New England-style seafood restaurant chain was established in 2015 by Chicago-based Parker Hospitality. In addition to Illinois, the brand has since opened several locations in Florida and one in Nashville.
Frisco-based firm Gilmon Fox, which confirmed to Dallas Business Journal that interior demolition has started, is listed as the contractor.
A separate filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in August estimated the build-out cost at $1.2 million. The project — on which Harrison USA is listed as the design firm — covers just over 18,000 square feet, according to the filing.
The menu for Hampton Social's new Miami location includes lobster rolls, clam chowder and seafood towers. The restaurant’s bar offers a wide variety of cocktails, wine and beer. The brand boasts a “Rosé All Day” concept and has an extensive selection of traditional and sparkling rosés.
A company connected to Dallas-based Headington Cos. acquired the restaurant property in 2022. Headington also owns the Joule Hotel next door and other properties throughout downtown Dallas, including land on Field Street where it's working a 30-story tower with another prominent downtown developer, Pacific Elm.
Headington and Hampton Social executives could not immediately be reached for comment.
