The Continental Gin Building has stood tall and strong in the background of Deep Ellum’s explosive growth, and, after lying dormant for a few years, it’s stepping back into the spotlight. After two years of intensive restoration and a healthy dose of TLC, this City of Dallas Landmark has reopened as a mixed-use destination in Deep Ellum for the first time in the building’s 133-year history. Thanks to Dallas-based real estate development company August Real Estate Co., Deep Ellum locals, visitors, and building tenants alike can enjoy The Continental Gin Building’s three floors of upgraded offerings, beautiful design, and energizing atmosphere.
The Continental Gin Building has lived an exciting and innovative life, and it’s still going strong. Built in 1888, The Continental Gin Building spent its first life stage as the largest cotton processing equipment manufacturing operation in the United States. In more recent times, it served as a studio and loft space for the Dallas artist community to create, collaborate, and live. Now, The Continental Gin Building has been reimagined to offer turnkey flexible office suites of various sizes, experiential coworking, on-site craft coffee, restaurant concepts, and building-wide amenities.
“The Continental Gin Building is one of the oldest buildings in Dallas and was once the epicenter of innovation in Deep Ellum. The goal of this next chapter for The Continental Gin Building was to go beyond just office to be more of a hospitality-focused, mixed-use destination that will once again function as a hub of innovation for the entire community. Our hope is that anyone who walks through The Continental Gin Building can feel the soul of this historical Deep Ellum icon.”
Jordan August, Principal & Co-Founder of August Real Estate Co.
Bringing history back to life
It was vital to August Real Estate Co. and Common Desk to keep the building’s extensive history and ties to the arts alive and to preserve its rich past while reflecting the neighborhood’s exciting future. Getting back to basics, the exterior of the building was stripped down to its original red brick. Inside, 14-foot ceilings with original exposed wood beams and hardwood floors showcase some of the building’s historic structural elements, and the original freight elevator was converted into a commemorative stairwell to guide visitors throughout its new features. From your first step into the building, unexpected furnishings and decor fill every corner, pairing a selection of new, curated artwork with found antiques from across the city.
As a reverent nod to the artist studios that once occupied the building, all 12 conference rooms are themed to honor types of artistry—meaning you can truly switch up your meeting aesthetic whenever you want. Start with a plant-filled oasis in the morning, then move on to the weaving room (where you can even add to the collaborative wall hanging), and finish your day in a room lined with violins, horns, and a piano, all resurrected from vintage shops around town. Members of Common Desk – Continental Gin get to enjoy the atmosphere of a boutique hotel-meets-art museum just by coming to work each day.
Blending office productivity with the comforts of home
Anticipating a post-pandemic shift in the way companies re-approach the office, The Continental Gin Building is outfitted as a forward-thinking workspace with its accessibility, sanitation measures, and energy-efficiency. Hospital-grade air filtration, UV light systems, touchless fixtures in restrooms, and anti-microbial surfaces are just a few of the upgraded measures taken to ensure safety. And because we love sustainable sunlight (who doesn’t?), solar panels on the roof and a front canopy contribute to the building’s LEED Silver Certification.
“This is a next-generation building crafted for life after the pandemic. It’s a building that you can get in and out of without getting onto an elevator. It’s dog-friendly and near a popular trail and dog park, bringing the comforts we found while working from home to the office. It’s tastefully designed and completely flexible, creating a productive and professional environment all while maintaining a neighborhood feel. The appetite for spaces that feel like an extension of home are in high demand; people want to get back to business while keeping certain lifestyle shifts of the work-from-home era, and The Continental Gin Building is poised to accommodate.”
Dawson Williams, Head of Real Estate at Common Desk
Most of us can say that during the work-from-home era of COVID-19, two things we got used to are having our dogs by our side and being able to get outside for a mental break. The Continental Gin gets it, so it has a seamless indoor-outdoor build and is dog-friendly on the patio and on the second and third floors. The property spans two acres of Deep Ellum, offering plenty of green space as well as easy access to the Santa Fe Trail, Old East Dallas, and the core of downtown and Deep Ellum. And since you can bike or walk to work (and hop on the trail during your lunch break), the restrooms on all three floors have spa-grade showers and all the amenities you need for a refresh.
The wraparound patio and deck at ground level sets the perfect scene for Vitamin D-packed lunches and happy hours, and while we’re on the topic, let us fill you in on the consumable offerings. Our very own Fiction Coffee powers the lobby of the building, serving its full menu of inventive coffee and espresso drinks, as well as light bites, daily cocktails during happy hour, and a sizable mix of socially-distanced seating. At The Continental Gin Building, you don’t have to go far for after-work dinner and drinks (especially with the aforementioned happy hours); exciting restaurant concepts on the first floor will offer Common Desk members and building tenants a diverse selection of culinary and cocktail destinations just steps away from their offices.
“At CGB, you’re able to start your morning with on-site coffee, do your best work with the array of office products across the building, then close out the day with a cocktail and a culinary experience–all from the same space. Whether you work or live in the neighborhood or just love to visit Deep Ellum, The Continental Gin Building truly has something for everyone.”
Nick Clark, CEO & Founder of Common Desk
On the third floor, you’ll find nine turnkey Class A spec suites built with the highest level of flexibility, as well as the ability to scale as each suite’s occupants grow. Each suite includes elevated furniture alongside high-end steel, wood, and stone finishes and a flexible floor plan that boasts a mix of open, rearrangeable desks, dedicated offices, meeting spaces, and an in-suite kitchen and break area.
The Continental Gin Building is now open to the public for visits to Fiction Coffee shop, Common Desk tours, and broker and tenant tours. And for those of you who are already Common Desk members at another location, you can come work from this game-changing space anytime you want with our all-inclusive perks. We can’t wait to share the magic of Common Desk – Continental Gin with you, so come see us soon!
