City Center District – Dallas, Texas
The City Center District is an area in north-central downtown Dallas, Texas (USA). It lies south of the Arts District, north of the Main Street District, northwest of Deep Ellum, southwest of Bryan Place, and east of the West End Historic District. The district contains a large concentration of downtown commercial space which before 1950 had been concentrated along Main Street. The district also contains remnants of Theatre Row, the historical entertainment area along Elm Street which contained theatres such as the Majestic Theatre.
The selection of restaurants in the City Center District can satisfy numerous palates. The Stephan Plyes Restaurant caters to those who want to try new-millennium Southwestern cuisine. Another restaurant, Kaba-N-Curry is a moderately priced Indian restaurant that is located in the center. One of Dallas’ most popular comedy clubs is also located in the City Center District. The Back Door Comedy Club was selected as the best comedy club by a local Dallas publication and is the city’s longest-running venue to see stand-up comedians. Eight or more comedians perform each night at the club.
Nationally televised comedy shows have all contributed credits to the club. Dancing and drinks are also found in the City Center at places like Blue. Blue is a dance club that attracts a very young and energetic crowd that enjoys hip-hop and pop music. Famous rappers and R&B singers have all held performances at the club. Many places of note are located in the City Center District. Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center and the Dallas Museum of Art are two prominent fixtures of the district.
Other notable structures and buildings in the City Center District are Elm Place, Energy Plaza, Fidelity Union Tower, Hardwood Center, Lincoln Plaza, Plaza of the Americas, Gables Republic Tower, and the Thanksgiving Tower. The historic Majestic Theatre is also located in the area.
It was the only movie theatre that survived through the 1920s and still stands today while other historical theaters were demolished. In 1983, the theatre was named to the National Register of Historic Places. The Majestic Theatre is now a restored showplace where a diverse range of performers do shows. Every year the theatre hosts the Majestic Broadway Series. The venue seats over 1,600 people.
Education
The City Center District is served by the Dallas Independent School District. The neighborhood schools for downtown are outside of the loop.
Four elementary schools—City Park, Sam Houston, Hope Medrano, and Ignacio Zaragoza; three middle schools—Billy Earl Dade, Thomas J. Rusk, and Alex W. Spence; and two high schools—James Madison and North Dallas, serve the district.
Private Schools
Holy Trinity Catholic School has served Dallas’ central neighborhoods since 1914 and is located at the corner of Oak Lawn Avenue and Gilbert Avenue. Providing early education for three-year-olds through eighth grade, Holy Trinity is the oldest continually operating Catholic school in North Texas.
Residents are also served by First Baptist Academy of Dallas, a Biblically-integrated, college preparatory K-12 school located in the city center district of downtown Dallas.