Earlier this week, Arlington city leaders approved a public-private partnership to build a new 500-room hotel and replace the existing Sheraton Arlington Hotel near I-30.
Here’s a numerical snapshot of the new development and how it will impact the city.
$410 million project
The 311-room Sheraton Arlington was built in 1984 and was acquired by Loews over the summer. Under the new agreement, the 19-story hotel will need to be demolished before September 30, 2026.
The $410 million Loews project — located adjacent to the existing Sheraton Hotel — will include at least 500 rooms. Here’s what else we can expect:
25,000-sqft convention center
735-stall parking garage with a weather-protected walkway to the Esports Stadium Arlington and the newly relocated Arlington Museum of Art
Future phases for retail, residential, and restaurant spaces
Construction on the parking facility could start as soon as next year. The groundbreaking of the hotel and convention center will begin by December 31, 2025, and be completed no more than three years later.
Here’s an overview of the current and future developments underway in the Entertainment District. | Map via the city of Arlington
$3.1 billion economic impact
The new hotel is expected to have a $3.1 billion economic impact over the next 30 years and net $711 million in benefits for the city of Arlington, Tarrant County, and Arlington ISD. It will also create an estimated 250 permanent jobs and 1,200 construction jobs.
Three Loews hotels
Additionally, Loews will open the brand new $550 million Loews Arlington Hotel — between Globe Life Field and Choctaw Stadium — by February 13, 2024. The 14-story high-rise has 888 rooms, meeting space, and the 150,000-sqft Arlington Convention Center.
Back in 2019, the company opened the 300-room Live! by Loews Hotel, adjacent to Texas Live!. All three hotels will give the New York-based hospitality group almost 1,700 hotel rooms in Arlington.
Events
Friday, Dec. 15
Tamales 101 Cooking Class | Friday, Dec. 15 | 6:30 p.m. | Indulge, 425 W. 3rd St., Fort Worth | $89 | Learn how to make Peruvian-inspired tamales from scratch with instructor Jorge Alberto Coronado.
A Gospel Black Nativity | Friday, Dec. 15-Saturday, Dec. 23 | Times vary | Jubilee Theatre, 506 Main St., Fort Worth | $42.75 | This show is an adaption of the Nativity story by Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes with music from traditional Christmas carols sung in gospel style.
Saturday, Dec. 16
Hike and Yoga | Saturday, Dec. 16 | 9-11 a.m. | Eagle Mountain Lake, 11601 Morris Dido Newark Rd., Fort Worth | $28.52 | Enjoy a 30-minute flow then explore the nature trails on a three-mile hike.
Official Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl | Saturday, Dec. 16 | 4-10 p.m. | Bar 2909, 2909 Morton St., Fort Worth | $20.45+ | The streets of West 7th will be filled with ugly sweaters during this annual bar crawl with costume contests + food and drink specials.
Merry & Bright Drone Show | Saturday, Dec. 16 | 8 p.m. | Peace Plaza,815 S. Main St., Grapevine | Free | Watch as 200 drones create Christmas magic over Main Station.
Sunday, Dec. 17
Rock ‘n’ Roll Rummage Sale | Sunday, Dec. 17 | 12-5 p.m. | Magnolia Motor Lounge, 3803 Southwest Blvd., Fort Worth | Cost of purchase | The outdoor market — formerly located at Lola’s Fort Worth — will have live music, 70+ local vendors, food trucks, and hand-crafted items.
Downtown’s new 14-story Le Méridien hotel expects to open next spring. Located on Commerce Street, the hotel will have 188 rooms, a rooftop pool and bar, event space, fitness center, and French restaurant Bouvier Brasserie. It’s expected to open in April. Book your stay. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
Arts
The Kimbell Art Museum acquired what the museum is calling “one of the most renowned sculptures from ancient Mesoamerica, an unqualified icon of Olmec civilization.” Now on display, the piece called “Standing Figure Holding a Were-Jaguar Baby” is a figurine carved in jadeite. Read more about the sculpture.
Traffic
Construction of Phase 1 of the University Drive project — from the south side of I-30 to the Trinity River — is expected to wrap up in March 2024. The $5.7 million project began in February with plans to expand the corridor to six lanes, widen sidewalks, and add bike lanes and more street lighting.
Civic
Meanwhile, residents in the Historic Southside can expect road construction to begin in the new year. More than $13 million in water, sewer, and paving improvements will begin in January and wrap up in 2025. Maintenance will take place on various streets from Victory Boulevard to East Allen Avenue.
Travel
Japan Airlines will add a route to DFW Airport operated by its brand-new A350-1000s. The airline will start with flights from Tokyo’s Haneda airport to JFK Airport in New York beginning January 24, 2024. A second route from Haneda to DFW Airport will begin later next year. (Airline Geeks)
Real Estate
DFW is projected to be the country’s top housing market in 2024, alongside Austin. The latest forecast from the National Association of Realtors expects the metro areas to see the most housing demand next year. Houston’s real estate market ranked No. 6. (The Dallas Morning News)
Ranked
No. 7. That’s what Dickies Arena ranked worldwide for ticket sales between Nov. 17, 2022, and Nov. 17, 2023, according to Pollstar Magazine. The arena hosted 30+ sold-out shows over the past year including The Eagles, New Edition, Koe Wetzel, Dave Chappelle, George Strait, and Paramore.
Finance
This no-annual-fee balance transfer offer now lasts until 2025. Transferring your existing balance to a no-interest card could be the simple solution you’re looking for to finally get ahead of your payments. (Oh, and it offers cash-back rewards on everyday purchases.)*
Cause
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Wellness
Planning for personal growth and emotional well-being in 2024? Connect with a licensed therapist on BetterHelp in just 48 hours + get 25% off your first month.*
Seasonal
🎁 Bingo: Holiday edition
Make the most of the holiday season with our Bingo card
The holiday season is nearing its end, but there are still plenty of ways to celebrate the magic of the season with our Bingo card.
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