The Tex-Mex Phoenix: A Glazed Structure Is Transformed And Reborn

The following is an excerpt from my article in the December issue of LD+A:

“As the coronavirus pandemic raged on, an upscale bistro in Dallas, TX became one of its many casualties. The restaurant had been located in an iconic chrome and glass gem structure within the grassy downtown oasis of Klyde Warren Park. The building, originally designed by Thomas Phifer and Partners, sat quietly, waiting to be reinvented and reborn. The space featured floor-to-ceiling glazing around the entire perimeter, offering fantastic views of the park and the surrounding Arts District. The glass structure also enabled views from the park into the elegant restaurant space.

In 2021, from the death of the former business arose a phoenix, Mi Cocina on the Park. This restaurant is now the flagship of the M Crowd Restaurant Group. Both tourists and locals gather to enjoy the sophisticated Tex-Mex menu, including favorites like bacon-wrapped Gulf shrimp, brisket tacos, the signature Mambo Taxi cocktail, a frozen margarita swirled with sangria, and the chocolate tres leches cake.”

IES members can read the full LD+A story here.

Image: Fredrik Broden

David Shiller

David Shiller is the Publisher of LightNOW, and Senior Business Development Consultant at Capacity Consulting, a North American consulting firm providing business development services to advanced lighting manufacturers. The ALA awarded David the Pillar of the Industry Award. David has been co-chair of the ALA’s Engineering Committee since 2010. David established MaxLite’s OEM component sales into a multi-million dollar division. He invented GU24 lamps while leading ENERGY STAR lighting programs for the US EPA. David has been published in leading lighting publications, including LD+A, enLIGHTenment Magazine, LEDs Magazine, and more.

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