If, as looks almost certain at this point, the Neiman Marcus store closes its doors in downtown Dallas for good at the end of this month, the question arises: what’s next for the nine-story, 129,000-square-foot building?
The Dallas Morning News recently explored that topic in some detail. Here are its major conclusions:
- Putting a wrecking ball to the building is generally viewed as unlikely. More likely is some kind of new lease on life, such as that experienced by the former Dallas National Bank building, a 1920s Gothic high-rise just up Main Street from the NM store that was transformed into the luxury Joule Hotel in 2008.
- It probably won’t be taken over by any one retailer, but its first floor could be reborn as smaller shops and restaurants. (Some advocate finding a way to keep the popular Zodiac Room restaurant housed on the sixth floor either in that space or on the building’s ground level.)
- Conversion to offices is unlikely, given the continued popularity (especially with employees) of remote work.
- The most likely scenario is a conversion to part residential/part hotel, something that has happened elsewhere in downtown Dallas, as well as in other city centers.
“It’s sad that the store is going to close down, but what a cool building. Neiman’s building, just as a building regardless of what’s going on inside … it’s gorgeous,” Michael Swaldi, a senior managing director at real estate firm JLL, told the Morning News. “It’s got another chapter. It’s got a new life coming, and I’d love to see what it is.”
That’s a sentiment likely to be shared by many others, given the fondness locals have expressed for the store.
Family Legacy, New Chapter: How Wilkerson Turns 89 Years of History Into Future Success
After 89 years of serving the Albany community, Harold Finkle Your Jeweler faced a pivotal decision. For third-generation owner Justin Finkle, the demanding hours of running a small business were taking precious time away from his young family. "After 23 years, I decided this was the time for me," Finkle explains. But closing a business with nearly nine decades of inventory and customer relationships isn't something easily managed alone.
Wilkerson's comprehensive approach transformed this challenging transition into a remarkable success story. Their strategic planning handled everything from advertising and social media to inventory management and staffing — elements that would overwhelm most jewelers attempting to navigate a closing sale independently.
The results speak volumes. "Wilkerson gave us three different tiers of potential goals," Finkle notes. "We've reached that third tier, that highest goal already, and we still have two weeks left of the sale." The partnership didn't just meet financial objectives—it exceeded them ahead of schedule.
