Jim Halperin Pitches Tower to Replace Dallas Strip Mall

A Dallas developer’s plans to transform an Oak Lawn strip mall into a mixed-use development received a warm welcome from local stakeholders.

Jim Halperin, co-founder of Irving-based Heritage Auctions, envisions a 24-story residential tower and upscale restaurants at 2615 Oak Lawn Avenue, which the Oak Lawn Committee gave unanimous support, the Dallas Business Journal reported.

The proposal aims to reshape a corner that could be a key gateway into the neighborhood. The 1.93-acre property has been owned by the Halperin family for the past 19 years.

The development would feature 310 residential units covering about 40 percent of the site, while the remainder will focus on open space, pedestrian-friendly amenities and two or three restaurants, some spanning multiple levels with roof terraces. GFF Design is attached to the project.

Tenants of the strip mall include Open Sesame Lebanese Grill, whose owners have been in discussions with Halperin about remaining in the neighborhood, though whether it stays on-site or relocates is still undecided.

The project’s design takes a cue from the Old Parkland campus redevelopment by Crow Holdings at 3819 Maple Avenue, which GFF CEO Evan Beattie called “transformational” for the neighborhood.

The redevelopment requires rezoning, which could take up to two years to finalize.

The project is set to add to the wave of redevelopment reshaping Oak Lawn, a neighborhood known for its nightlife and identity as the heart of Dallas’ LGBTQ+ community.

Several office and residential developments are underway nearby, like McCourt Partners and HN Capital Partners’ 40-acre mixed-use development at 1650 Oak Lawn Avenue as well as The Oak Lawn Design Plaza, covering nine acres at 1444 Oak Lawn Avenue from Charlotte, North Carolina–based investor Asana Partners.

— Judah Duke