Art galleries, craft breweries, international cuisine, high-end design studios, and luxury loft apartments all share the same streets? Yap, and that’s the Dallas Design District, one of the most unique urban neighborhoods in the entire Metroplex.

Once packed with warehouses and manufacturing spaces, the Design District has transformed into a stylish, creative, walkable neighborhood filled with modern apartments, top-tier restaurants, boutique showrooms, and some of the best interior design firms in Texas.

Today, renters looking for an upscale, modern lifestyle with an artistic edge often rank the Design District among the top places to live in Dallas.

Atmosphere & Lifestyle

The Design District has an unmistakable identity:

• Creative (art galleries, design studios)

• Urban industrial (converted warehouses)

• Sophisticated (fine dining & stylish bars)

• Walkable (rare for Dallas)

• Central (minutes to Uptown, Downtown, and the Medical District)

Locals describe it as a “city-within-the-city,” with a mix of:

• Designers

• Young professionals

• Architects

• Digital creatives

• Chefs & hospitality workers

• Art collectors

• People who want something less traditional than Uptown & Downtown

Average Rent Prices (as of December 2025)

The Design District is now considered high-demand for renters.

Average Rents (2025):

• Studios: $1,650–$1,850

• 1 Bedrooms: $1,900–$2,250

• 2 Bedrooms: ~$2,550–$3,200

• Loft-style apartments: premium pricing due to high ceilings, exposed brick, steel beams, and warehouse layouts

Rent here is above the Dallas average, but renters get walkability, luxury builds, premium amenities, and direct proximity to major job districts.

Trend:
More developers are converting old commercial buildings into modern residences, which is pushing rents up — especially for lofts with original industrial materials.

Restaurants, Bars, Cafés & Places to Go

The Design District is famous for its food scene — some of Dallas’s most sought-after chefs opened restaurants here.

Below is a curated list of local spots with their actual website names, as you requested:

Top Restaurants

The Charles

TheCharlesDallas.com
A modern Italian-style restaurant known for handmade pasta, truffle dishes, and one of the most stylish interiors in the district. Warm lighting, velvet seating, and a meticulously crafted menu.

Town Hearth

TownHearth.com
One of Dallas’s most talked-about restaurants — flames, chandeliers, vintage motorcycles inside the dining room, and world-class steak. Loud, energetic, and unforgettable.

El Bolero

ElBoleroDallas.com
Upscale Mexican cuisine with coastal influences — ceviches, mole dishes, hand-pressed tortillas, and craft cocktails.

Oak Dallas

OakDallas.com
A sophisticated American restaurant with a rotating seasonal menu, elegant plating, and a chic ambiance.

Pakpao Thai

PakpaoThai.com
Trendy Thai restaurant with bold flavors, craft cocktails, and a modern space that fits the neighborhood’s aesthetic.

Bars, Breweries & Nightlife

Meddlesome Moth

MothDallas.com
A gastropub with one of the best beer lists in Dallas and an artistic, cathedral-like interior.

Community Beer Company

CommunityBeer.com
A massive, popular craft brewery with tours, tastings, events, and a huge outdoor biergarten.

Noble Coyote Coffee Roasters

NobleCoyoteCoffee.com
An artisan micro-roastery with experimental brews, pour-over tastings, and creative blends.

Ascension Coffee – Design District

AscensionDallas.com
Trendy Australian-style coffee shop with brunch, pastries, and excellent espresso.

Art Galleries, Design Studios & Shopping

Haas Moto Museum & Sculpture Gallery

A surprisingly elegant museum of rare motorcycles and sculptural design — a local gem.

Craighead Green Gallery

Showcasing contemporary painting, sculpture, and photography.

Dallas Contemporary Museum

A major museum featuring modern art exhibits, installations, and international artists.

Gallerie Noir

GallerieNoir.com
Furniture, art, lighting, and interior design pieces with a high-fashion edge.

Parks & Outdoor Spaces

Even though the Design District is urban and industrial, there are peaceful green areas:

Trinity Strand Trail

A multi-use walking and biking trail connecting to the Trinity River system.

Riverfront Greenbelt

Along the Trinity River — wide open spaces great for jogging, biking, and dog walking.

Schools Serving the Area

The Design District itself is not school-centric, but nearby educational options include:

Public Schools :

• Sam Houston Elementary School
  (Strong bilingual programs)

• Thomas J. Rusk Middle School

• North Dallas High School
  Known for career-oriented pathways including business & technology

Private and Charter Options Nearby:

• Uplift Luna Preparatory (Downtown)

• Holy Trinity Catholic School (Oak Lawn)

• Great Hearts Irving (accessible via main highways)

Because the area attracts more adults than families, schools have less direct impact on apartment demand — but being near Downtown and Medical District schools increases overall appeal.

Transportation & Connectivity

One of the Design District’s strongest features is how central it is.

DART Rail Stations Nearby

• Victory Station (Green & Orange Lines)

• Market Center Station

Fast access to:

• Downtown Dallas

• DFW Airport

• Love Field Airport

• Uptown

• Lower Greenville

• Medical District

DART Bus Routes

Multiple bus lines travel through Riverfront Blvd, Oak Lawn Ave, and Market Center areas.

Highways Minutes Away

• I-35E (2 minutes)

• Dallas North Tollway (3 minutes)

• I-30 (5 minutes)

• US-75 (7 minutes)

Walkability & Bikes

Walk feel ? Very walkable and bike friendly. Scooters, bike lanes, and short streets make car-free living possible.

Why Renters Love the Design District

People who choose this neighborhood usually want:

• A modern, design-forward lifestyle

• Luxury apartments with industrial character

• Walkability to high-end restaurants and galleries

• Quick access to Downtown, Uptown, Victory Park, and the Medical District

• A neighborhood that feels artistic, international, and stylish

The Design District is for renters who don’t want “cookie-cutter Dallas.”
It’s for people who want style, central location, food culture, art, and convenience — all in one place. Did we convinced you this is a neighborhood for your next home ? If yes, find your next apartment on ApartmentExplorer.com today.