The Renaissance Dallas Hotel has completed a transformation of its public spaces, unveiling a refreshed lobby, restaurant, bar, private dining room, lounge and meeting areas. Guided by the design narrative “Enjoy the Ride,” the renovation—which was led by K2M Design—pays homage to the State Fair of Texas. The newly reimagined environments showcase glowing light features, sculptural elements and custom furnishings that reference carnival rides, fairground textures and the cultural rhythm of the city.
“Nearly every design feature was custom made for this property,” Nicole Kules, lead interior designer at K2M Design, said in a statement. “From bespoke lighting and case goods to tailored millwork, carpet, and upholstery, each element supports the ‘Enjoy the Ride’ concept.”
In the Studio, a roller-coaster-inspired bookshelf winds across the wall as a functional art piece. Custom banquettes are designed to echo the forms of vintage fair rides, while regional influences—including the heritage of Dickies, the Fort Worth/Dallas apparel brand—inspire denim-blue hues and stitched textures. A large installation of blue resin chips above the lobby lounge looks to anchor the space with a visual nod to the region’s industrial roots.
Nature also plays a central role in the renovation as native flora, such as bluebonnet and prickly pear cactus, are utilized in both landscaping and interior motifs. In the restaurant, dramatic “cactus flower” light fixtures with champagne-to-blue metallic transitions are designed to be sculptural centerpieces. The lobby includes an illuminated Discovery Table, inspired by Texas’s official gemstone—the Blue Topaz.
The renovation includes a complete redesign of 9,000 square feet of public areas, including the lobby, reception, restaurant, bar, lounge, private dining room, and lobby restrooms, as well as a full transformation of the hotel’s 50,000-square-foot conference center.