Why here?
While Irving's proximity to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport always has been a major selling point, the addition this year of a headquarters hotel and a happening entertainment district near the Irving Convention Center (pictured) will give the city even more appeal in its own right.
AT THE AIRPORT
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport completed improvements at terminals A and E in 2017, part of a $2.7 billion project. Upgrades in security and ticketing, and more dining and retail are a result. In November, two "Bubble Presented by Coca-Cola" zones opened near gates A13 and E13, offering charging stations, TVs and vintage Coke décor. Work on Terminal B should finish this quarter.
GOING LOCAL
Irving welcomed two farmers markets this past summer. The Irving Arts Center market runs 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays, and Heritage Crossing at the Clock Tower is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays.
WATER STREET WELCOME
Gables Water Street residential development is coming to downtown, offering a host of new eateries, many of which are scheduled to open this year. These will include Cafe Herrera (Mexican fare), Main Street Bistro & Bakery (a French bistro), State Fare Kitchen & Bar (a modern take on Southern fare) and the Londoner Pub.
A NEW CLUSTER OF HOT SPOTS
Local entrepreneur Billy Bob Barnett, best known for the Fort Worth honky-tonk that bears his name but is no longer run by him, has turned his attention to Irving. He is the brains behind Big Beat Dallas, part of the new Toyota Music Factory complex.
BBD's cluster of five establishments open onto Texas Lottery Plaza, which will host a farmers market by day and live music every night. The five venues -- Texas Jamhouse (for Southern specialties, 24/7), Bar Manzanilla (for tacos and tequila), Highway 61 (for burgers, BBQ and the blues), Texas C Bar (for wine and Scotch) and the Martini Bar (for dancing and cocktails) -- also will host live music.
The project, whose venues will open this month and next, has a special open-container liquor license, allowing guests to carry beverages around the complex.
IRVING, TEXAS
Local Update
• Construction continues on a new 350-room Westin hotel, headquarters property for the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas. The hotel will have 16,000 square feet of meeting space and is currently on track to open in December.
• The new 250,000-square-foot Toyota Music Factory, near the convention center, opened last fall. The venue's amphitheater seats up to 4,000 people inside and opens up to a lawn that can accommodate another 4,000 under the stars. Already, acts such as Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band, Trevor Noah and Tori Amos have performed on the stage. A number of new venues surrounding the concert hall are opening this year. See more on page 44.
• Opening this fall is the Texican Court, a boutique Valencia Hotel, across from the convention center. Styled like a motor court and sister to Austin's Lone Star Court, the property will have 144 guest rooms, 3,500 square feet of meeting space, a restaurant and two bars.
Meeting Hotels: Irving offers more than 12,000 guest rooms. Among top hotels are the 431-room Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas and 410-room Omni Mandalay.
To find and compare hotels, and send RFPs, visit mcvenues.com.
Convention Center: Irving Convention Center; exhibit space, approximately 48,576 square feet; number of meeting rooms, 15; (866) 313-6490.
Airport Transit: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, about 10 miles from Irving. Transfer cost by taxi, $33; by airport shuttle, $18
Taxes: Room tax, 9%; sales tax, 6%; total tax on hotel rooms, 15%
Group Venue: Groups headed to the new Toyota Music Factory can stop in for dinner at the new Thirsty Lion Gastropub just across the street. Try a flight of six craft beers on tap, or choose from a menu of specialty ciders or signature cocktails. The restaurant's ample and diverse menu emphasizes "scratch recipes," local ingredients and bold flavors. Groups of six to 50 are welcome. Each of three private patios accommodates up to 40 people when the weather cooperates. (214) 496-0400.
For planners seeking a nostalgic vibe for an event, Big State Fountain Grill fits the bill. The spot started out as a haberdashery in the early 1900s, became the Big State Drug store in the 1940s, and was remodeled and reopened in 2014 as a restaurant. The joint now serves typical diner fare and classic fountain favorites. Groups of up to 100 are accommodated. (214) 307-5000.
Contact: Irving Convention & Visitors Bureau, (866) 433-2980