Knox Street – Dallas, Texas
Knox Street in Dallas, Texas repeats the same design on either side of the light pole. At one level it makes the brand colors, logo, and social channels more prominent. At another level it is a missed opportunity to have a more design driven treatment with different content, colors, or messaging on either side of the poles.
The district is defined by the presence of several large corporations with a storefront presence. In this picture alone LoveSac, Verizon, and Boll & Branch occupy a majority of the block. Behind and all around are multi-story residential and office buildings. In other areas of the neighborhood Pottery Barn, Apple, Duxiana, Anthropologie, Sur La Table, Yeti, and Trader Joes.
The Apple store with its iconic enframed block design brings a similar aesthetic from the shopping mall to a city street. The store seemingly opens up to the street through the transparent glass wall. A row of bollards and defensive planter beds in the front provide some protection and separation from the street.
STAG Provisions for Men has a nice hierarchy of signage and lighting with a marquee, letters mounted below the relieving arch over the entrance, and a customized sidewalk sign. This gives multiple ways to encounter the brand while walking by.
Boll & Branch has a fairly sedate street presence. The window graphics inform “experience the sheets loved by U.S. Presidents.”
The RealReal is another business with a clear hierarchy of signage. The A-frame sign on the sidewalk is particularly helpful as this is not a well known brand. It educates the consumer with the message “This way to shop & sell.”
Marine Layer has one of the most effective storefronts of those we observed. The blade sign captures the attention as people approach. Then as one nears the storefront, the hand painted sign with logo over the storefront provides a placemaking element for the business and district. Whenever handmade details are introduced, they tend to stand out.
Ralph Lauren Home is one of only a handful of similar stores in the country – cementing a home furnishings and decor niche.
Interior Define has an interesting approach. For a design store it is somewhat unusual to have a flight of steps leading to a hard right before making the way to the front door. This business does custom made furniture for customers. One might think that they would put more design thinking into the way customers approach their business.
A cluster of restaurants complement the retail. Anchor Sushi Bar (or Anchor Sushi on Knox as the awning valance says) is next to STAG. Given this is Texas they have a nice tree and umbrella covered outdoor dining area.
On the other side of STAG is Foxtrot known for their “coffee, wine, and eats.” There is an attempt to higher end design. The absence of shade or outdoor dining here make it a less desirable location.
Green Point Seafood and Oyster Bar has a street tree canopy and stumpy awning to cover two rows of sidewalk seating. This is probably not enough to protect customers from the sun. An important consideration when eating seafood outside during daytime hours.
Knox Bistro owing to their tight corner location has limited opportunities for outdoor dining. This is ironic because across the street is a large uninterrupted public space with stone paving.
Mister Charles is one of the best historic buildings in the district with high ceilings and an arched entrance.
Mar Y Sol Cantina has probably the best outdoor dining area. Ample shade through several mature trees is offset nicely with groupings of earthen planters and additional landscaping. Wall mounted speakers and sconce lighting help to create a mood element, especially at night.
One final cluster of businesses fall under experiential. Sur La Table Cooking Classes has a location here, despite the main retail destination for this business in Dallas being miles away. Likewise, the Paper Source encourages people to drop in for do it yourself crafts like making cards from a different kit each month.
This Express Pickup Locker helps to bridge the gap between online ordering and in store experiences. Accessible from the sidewalk, it does not even require people entering the store.