Brooke Armstrong

I’ve lived in Dallas for nearly 10 years, and a lot has changed during that time—both in the city and my personal life. Weekends are no longer reserved for sleeping in and brunch with friends. Instead, we’re up with the sun and brainstorming fun activities to keep Holland, my 20-month-old from bouncing off the walls at home.

Over the winter holiday, when it was a beautiful 70 degrees outside, my family was out enjoying the weather, and we found ourselves in the middle of downtown Dallas at Klyde Warren Park.

It wasn’t long after that Jeff Staubach treated the tenant rep group to one of his usual team lunches at the deck park where we all dined al fresco, from restaurants on wheels. Food Truck Friday is gaining in popularity and drives traffic from downtown and Uptown buildings to the streets. It’s refreshing to see employees excited to get outside and enjoy these new amenities that central business district tenants have never had in the past.

I spend a lot of time during the week in the CBD with clients and prospects, but I couldn’t remember the last time I was surrounded by iconic high rises when I wasn’t working. There has really never been a reason other than jogging the tunnel system to learn my way around (a Carl Ewert tip for young brokers).

Dallas is being reborn into a first-class city that can compete with the likes of Chicago, Washington D.C., and Boston. The Klyde Warren Deck Park, Perot Nature and Science Museum and Wyle Theater, among other landmarks, are bridging the gap between the CBD and Uptown. The cultural amenities, DART rail, and other factors are creating a positive impact on our market. Vacancy rates are down in both the CBD and Uptown submarkets, and asking rates are on the rise.

We’ve all heard about these developments at luncheons and business events. They sound great in concept, but the effects weren’t real to me until I was out with my husband, daughter, and labradoodles on a Saturday morning. Standing in the center of one of the most dynamic office markets in town, greater downtown Dallas, and it dawned on me: This is a game-changer.

Brooke Armstrong is senior vice president in the Dallas office of Jones Lang LaSalle. Contact her at brooke.armstrong@am.jll.com.