The Exchange at the AT&T Discovery District will officially open to the public on Friday, June 25. The launch marks the first food hall in downtown Dallas and the long-awaited full opening of the AT&T Discovery District. AT&T launched the project in 2018 to create a world-class workplace and help revitalize downtown Dallas.
“The vibrancy we’re seeing in downtown Dallas is exciting and we’re thrilled to open this final piece of our vision for the AT&T headquarters,” said Melissa Phillips, Director, AT&T Discovery District. “The AT&T Discovery District was built to create connections for our employees and the community. We hope the diversity of food and beverage experiences found at the food hall will be as well received by visitors as they have been across the District over the past several months.”
Owned by AT&T and managed by Hospitality Alliance, the 26,700 square-foot food hall will house 16 eateries featuring some of the city’s most beloved chefs and operators. Some restaurant partners already on board include: Regino Rojas (Revolver Taco), Waddell Hodges (Bobbers Burgers & Whips), Andrew Chen (Monkey King Noodle Co.), Caleb & Bryan Lewis (Press Waffle Company), Yaser Khalaf (Baboushi), Valerie Jean-Bart (Val’s Cheesecake), Brett Curtis (The Dock), Richard Blankenship (Attalie), and Dunia & Espartaco Borga (La Duni).
The Second Floor at The Exchange features Ounce, Ichi Ni San and Hard Shake, which have been open to the public since early 2021. The casual dining experience offered from The Second Floor provides sweeping views of The District.
“We gave Dallas a taste of what to expect with The Second Floor and are ready to drive even more attention to the area with the food hall,” said Hospitality Alliance CEO Kevin Lillis. “The collaboration with our restaurant partners has created a singular venue that showcases Dallas’ diverse and exceptional dining scene, hosting our favorite restaurateurs and foods in one spot.”
Located within the building that once served as a telecommunication call center, the name “The Exchange” is a nod to the old phone exchange boards used by AT&T during the building’s former life as a data center for its telecommunications operations.
In collaboration with Gensler as the architect of record for the exterior build, The Johnson Studio at Cooper Carry oversaw the interiors for the adaptive reuse into two levels of bars, eateries and indoor-outdoor dining spaces overlooking the District’s central Plaza. The facades for each stall were designed to reflect the distinct offerings and personality of each concept, creating a fun and vibrant experience.
Facing The Plaza, an entire wall of operable glass garage doors and six additional entryways make it easy for people to pick up a meal to-go, while a variety of seating options like intimate nooks, comfortable lounge areas and outdoor terraces to appeal to everyone.
Upstairs, a relaxing lounge will appeal to daytime workers as well as evening diners. Clusters of soft seating in various sizes create intimate opportunities for small groups to meet or individuals to find quiet focus zones — a contrast to the more dynamic and bustling environment of the ground floor. At the heart of the food hall, a walnut clad staircase with blackened metal accents provides a central connection between the first and second floors, and the cohesive use of materials like wood, bronze metals and industrial-inspired light fixtures evokes a warm, welcoming, modern feel throughout The Exchange.
To complement the standout eateries, Double Tap offers unique cocktail creations served on draft to meet the fast-paced needs of the food hall. Hospitality Alliance Beverage Director, Alex Fletcher explains, “We built the bar for maximum efficiency and based the whole beverage menu around cocktails, beer and wine, all served on tap. Our belief is that if you have to wait for food, we don’t want you to wait for drinks.”
The cocktail program will offer classics like an Old Fashioned and a Traditional Margarita, as well as some creative takes on fan favorites, like their Frozen Espresso Martini and Pineapple Ranch Water. Cocktails are served in a 12 oz glass with the option to “make it double” and upgrade to 16 oz.
In addition to the eateries, the Discovery District’s 4-block, 2.4 acres includes The Plaza with a lawn, tables and chairs for the public; a 104-foot-tall, 6K Media Wall; a 30’ tall interactive Globe; the AT&T Experience Store, featuring the latest products and services alongside fun showcases like the “Central Perk” set from FRIENDS; the AT&T Experience Studio with an interactive HBO MAX Orbit installation, and the AT&T Showcase, a gallery featuring works from local and national artists. All are free to the public. Rounding out things to do at The District is a Cowboys Fit gym.
Beginning June 25, The District will feature a 5-minute light show, called Digital Double, every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night at 9:30 p.m. Coordinated lights set to music will dance across the Media Wall, Plaza ground lighting, trellises and The Globe, giving Downtown Dallas it’s very own “Bellagio-like” moment. For more information about The District, please visit www.discoverydistrict.att.com.
The eateries at The Exchange will open from 10:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 10:30 a.m.—11 p.m. Friday & Saturday. Double Tap closes at 1 a.m. seven nights per week. For more information, please visit www.theexchangehall.com.
Parking Instructions
Valet is available seven days per week from 5 p.m. – 11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 5 p.m. – 1 a.m. Friday & Saturday. Additionally, there are over 700 parking spots at 1212 Jackson St. which offer free guest parking after 4 p.m. on weekdays, and all-day Saturdays and Sundays with validation from any restaurant at the AT&T Discovery District.
