The Stoneleigh Reimagined: Dallas's Grand Dame Returns with New Luxury

DALLAS, TX – May 06, 2026 – After a period of masterful transformation, The Stoneleigh has reopened its doors, poised to reclaim its century-old title as the Grand Dame of Uptown Dallas. The storied landmark, which first opened in 1923, debuts a new era of maximalist sophistication, blending its rich heritage with modern luxury through a complete interior redesign by Fettle, a highly anticipated culinary program from Chef Michael White, and a strategic new identity as part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection.

A Culinary Coup for Uptown

The most significant buzz surrounding the hotel's rebirth is the Dallas debut of James Beard Award-winning Chef Michael White. Renowned for a formidable career that once saw him holding five simultaneous Michelin stars, White brings a world-class culinary vision to a city with an increasingly sophisticated palate. His arrival marks a major statement, anchoring the hotel's social life with two distinct, original concepts: Lions Den and Bar Leonessa.

Lions Den, a modern Italian supper club, is a direct homage to the hotel’s storied past and the bold aesthetic of its legendary designer, Dorothy Draper. The space transitions from a light-filled sanctuary for breakfast and lunch to a magnetic, moody dinner destination. The menu is a showcase of White's signature coastal Italian artistry, where house-made pastas are the soul, but seafood-forward dishes and moments of tableside theater define the experience. Signature offerings include a unique Porterhouse preparation—served as both a delicate tartare and a prime grilled striploin—and classics like Dover sole bathed in brown butter.

Adjacent to the main dining room, Bar Leonessa serves as the hotel's sophisticated social anchor. By day, it operates as a sunlit European-style café. As dusk falls, it transforms into an elegant lounge where mixology is practiced as a precise art form, complete with a custom beverage cart for theatrical tableside pours. The menu features refined small plates, including Chef White's signature grilled octopus, garganelli with truffle butter, and oysters topped with caviar, designed for a playful yet polished evening. Even the poolside experience is elevated, with a menu of refined Americana favorites like lobster rolls and artisanal frozen cocktails orchestrated by White.

Designing a Modern Legacy

The Stoneleigh's new aesthetic is a conversation between past and present, masterfully orchestrated by the award-winning design studio Fettle. The project was a delicate balance: honoring the hotel's most iconic design influence, Dorothy Draper, while creating a space that feels entirely contemporary. Draper, a trailblazer who established the first professional interior design firm in the U.S., first reimagined the hotel in 1934. She rejected the era's muted conventions, injecting the property with vibrant color, dramatic patterns, and a "Modern Baroque" grandeur that became her trademark.

Fettle’s reimagining is a bold tribute to this legacy. Rather than shying away from Draper's maximalism, they have embraced it, creating what the hotel calls a "cinematic allure." The 176 redesigned guestrooms and 72 suites blend residential comfort with high design. High-pile wool carpets, geometric wallcoverings, and rich velvets create warmth, while custom furnishings like lacquered burl bar cabinets and 1930s-inspired seating nod to the building's Art Deco roots. Bathrooms feature Venetian glass sconces and bespoke wallpaper with a subtle Stoneleigh "S" motif, reinforcing a sense of curated, personal luxury.

The hotel’s 11th floor, once home to the private, Draper-designed penthouse frequented by Elvis Presley and Audrey Hepburn, now houses a collection of signature suites. These spaces incorporate the original Music Room, Dining Room, and Library. The dramatic double-height Music Room is particularly stunning, featuring restored 500-year-old wood paneling sourced from London’s Charterhouse School and a new crystal chandelier, serving as both an intimate lounge and a spectacular private event venue. Suites like the Draper Suite, with its theatrical Oscar de la Renta canopy bed, carry their own narrative, ensuring the hotel's larger-than-life stories continue for a new generation.

Strategic Luxury in a Competitive Market

The Stoneleigh's rebirth is not just a design and culinary triumph; it is a calculated business move in one of the nation's most competitive luxury hotel markets. Dallas currently leads the U.S. in new hotel development, with a significant concentration of luxury and upscale projects in the Uptown area. In this landscape, heritage alone is not enough to compete with established players like the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek and The Ritz-Carlton, or newer high-end entrants.

The investment from Brookfield’s Real Estate Group signals a deep confidence in the property's potential. A key part of the strategy is the hotel's debut within Marriott Bonvoy’s Autograph Collection. This affiliation provides The Stoneleigh with access to Marriott's powerful global marketing engine and its massive Bonvoy loyalty program, while allowing it to retain the fierce independence and unique character that define it. The Autograph Collection is a curated portfolio of properties celebrated for their individuality and sense of place, making it a perfect fit for a landmark with such a distinct soul. This move positions the hotel to attract a global audience of discerning travelers seeking authentic, memorable experiences rather than standardized chain lodging.

The Rebirth of a Social Epicenter

At its core, the renewed Stoneleigh aims to be more than just a place to stay; it seeks to reclaim its historical role as a vibrant social anchor for Dallas. From its origins as the tallest building west of the Mississippi to its mid-century heyday as a salon for the cultural elite, the hotel has always been a stage for the city's stories. The transformation extends to every corner of the property, designed to foster connection and celebration.

Beyond an ivy-draped archway, a secluded ground-level pool offers a tranquil urban oasis, with a sophisticated setup of daybeds and loungers that can transform for social programming. The hotel also boasts over 20,000 square feet of versatile event space, including the richly appointed Library and Music Room. These historic, maximalist venues, with their diamond mosaic stained glass and sumptuous velvets, provide a cinematic backdrop for everything from corporate gatherings to grand weddings. With this comprehensive renaissance, The Stoneleigh is not merely reopening; it is reintroducing itself as a cultural epicenter where heritage, artistry, and modern luxury converge, ready to write its next illustrious chapter in the heart of Uptown Dallas.