Dallas, TX

Developer to sell former Dallas Morning News building as revamp plans fade

Published

1 year ago

February 2, 2025

Developer to sell former Dallas Morning News building as revamp plans fade

The property developer who purchased The Dallas Morning News’ old headquarters is selling it to a data center provider, all but foreclosing on his original vision of transforming the property into a modern hotel and entertainment complex.

Ray Washburne, a local developer and co-owner of Highland Park Village, told The News in an interview that he had a buyer in contract for the landmark building, located at 508 Young Street — a stone’s throw from the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, which is slated to undergo a massive overhaul.

Citing confidentiality, Washburne declined to provide a sale price, or the name of the buyer, but said it was “one of the major data companies.” The deal is expected to close in April, he added.

According to Washburne, the new buyer intends to preserve the original News edifice, including the three-story “Rock of Truth” stone facade inscribed with a credo about journalism, but will build a new addition on the back end of the building for its data needs.

Back in 2019, A. H. Belo Corporation sold the downtown campus to Washburne for $28 million, whose original idea was to turn it into a linchpin of the area’s revitalization.

“My intention was to turn in into an entertainment district, and I was waiting to see what would happen, but I couldn’t get anything out of the city,” Washburne said.

In a statement provided to The News, newly appointed Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert said, “[The city] remains committed to the delivery of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center (KBHCC) master plan. With that in mind, we will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure strong collaboration to the benefit of all.”

Washburne originally planned to turn the old newspaper campus into a hotel, entertainment and apartment development, but those ideas were upended by Dallas’ plan to spend at least $3.5 billion on a sprawling new convention center.

A lack of explanation from city officials about that plan prompted him to abandon his aspiration of turning it into Dallas’ analogue of San Antonio’s Pearl District, he told The News.

“My preference was to sell it to the city, or develop an entertainment district, but I never got clarity on what they wanted to do,” Washburne said, citing a lack of understanding about the new convention center’s layout.

“I wanted to do a joint venture, and I spent millions on plans, but I can’t go ahead without a firm understanding of what the city wants to do,” he added.

“Communication has been basically zero… [and] I’m not going to wait another 5 years.”

The convention center reboot “is critical to the long term economic growth of the City,” Bizor Tolbert said.

“We have worked in good faith… but we will not negotiate something as critical as this in the press. We are scheduled to brief City Council on Wednesday during executive session, and will provide additional details as it appropriate,” she stated.

— Staff writer Devyani Chhetri contributed to this report

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Dallas, TX

Crews battle large fire at Pilates studio in Uptown Dallas, officials say

Published

6 hours ago

July 1, 2026

Press Room

Crews battle large fire at Pilates studio in Uptown Dallas, officials say

July 1, 2026 / 5:51 AM CDT
/ CBS Texas

Dallas firefighters are battling a large fire at a Pilates studio in Uptown early Wednesday morning, officials confirm.

Dallas Fire-Rescue said at about 4 a.m., crews responded after someone reported smoke coming from the second floor of Pilates Methodology, located in the 2600 block of Routh Street.

When firefighters arrived at the two-story business, they began an offensive attack, and by 4:50 a.m., a third alarm was called, bringing in dozens of crews to help fight the blaze.

No injuries have been reported as crews work to extinguish the fire.

This is a developing story. We’ll update as more information becomes available.

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Dallas, TX

Eight arrested after repeated attempts to enter World Cup matches without tickets

Published

16 hours ago

June 30, 2026

Press Room

Eight arrested after repeated attempts to enter World Cup matches without tickets

Despite heightened security around World Cup matches at Dallas Stadium, Arlington police say eight people have now been arrested for attempting to enter games without tickets.

The latest arrests occurred Saturday during the Argentina vs. Jordan match. NBC 5 Investigates found similar incidents have happened multiple times during the tournament.

Police said all eight people arrested have been charged with criminal trespass.

On Saturday, Arlington police arrested 32-year-old New Zealand national Catalina Gambadoro, 26-year-old Argentine national Alejo Melgar and 18-year-old Kareem Kakour, who has an Indiana address.

According to police, the three were apprehended quickly and did not make it inside the stadium. However, police said at least four people arrested this month were able to gain access to the venue before being caught.

NBC 5 Investigates obtained police reports detailing arrests made on June 22 during the Argentina vs. Austria match.

According to the reports:

• Gerardo Nielsen, 46, of Cordoba, Spain, and Juan Ignacio Campoamor, 35, of Hollywood, Florida, unlawfully entered AT&T Stadium property without effective consent. Police said both had noticed that entry without a ticket was prohibited and pushed through a hole in a fence to gain access.

• Leandro Ayala, 46, of Buenos Aires, Argentina, allegedly jumped a fence to gain access to AT&T Stadium without purchasing a ticket. Police said he entered the property without the owner’s effective consent despite notice that entry without a ticket was prohibited.

• Federico Llach, 45, of Plano, allegedly crossed ticketed barriers and trespassed into AT&T Stadium.

Earlier in the tournament, on June 14, police arrested Ryan King, 39, during the Japan vs. Netherlands match. According to a police report, King attempted to climb a security fence and enter the stadium before it opened to the public.

Officers quickly located and arrested him. The report states that officers determined he intended to watch the match without purchasing a ticket.

Security measures at the stadium include vehicle barriers, metal fencing around the perimeter, and a heavy police presence at entry checkpoints.

After the initial arrests, Arlington police said they were reviewing security procedures. It remains unclear whether any security changes have been implemented following the additional arrests.

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