Downtown Dallas, Inc. has shared a first peek at renderings of the freshly dubbed East Quarter development, which is scheduled to break ground in the third quarter of 2019.

East Quarter is an urban neighborhood spanning eight blocks within Dallas' urban core. It's owned by a partnership between Todd Interests, the developer, and institutional investors advised by J.P. Morgan Asset Management.

Bound by Pearl Street, Jackson Street, and Cesar Chavez Boulevard, it's basically the area between the Farmers Market, Downtown, and Deep Ellum.

The development will consist of a mixed-use residential, retail, and office complex, with a 17-story tower called 300 Pearl that will integrate with preserved buildings in the area, including the Meletio Electric buildings on Cesar Chavez.

Patrick Todd, partner at Todd Interests, says in a statement that the goal is to turn the east side of downtown into another thriving neighborhood with a character all its own. A key element in the project includes activating the streets by offering ground-floor retail.

"Architecturally, the development will pay homage to East Quarter's heritage and further cement the neighborhood as the heart of innovation and entrepreneurship in Dallas," Todd says.

Kourtny Garrett, President and CEO of Downtown Dallas, Inc., says that "the vision for the second phase of development speaks to Todd Interests' commitment to moving downtown forward with new residential options and additional innovative office space that is in such high demand. It also further shows how much they care about respecting downtown's rich history."

John Altschuler of Altschuler and Company, who will be leasing the project, says that urban districts such as East Quarter are a draw, describing 300 Pearl as "not just another glass tower." He's right about that. It's an odd structure, bisected across the middle, that looks like someone plopped a residential building on top of an office building.

He says that "300 Pearl will preserve the area's old-school charm and provide world class finish-outs."

They've already signed on chef Nick Badovinus (Neighborhood Services, Town Hearth) to do three new concepts in a pedestrian-friendly retail space stretching along Jackson St., which will become one lane and incorporate a fully protected bike path.

The office portion will front the new Harwood Park, with protected, panoramic views of the Dallas skyline. Amenities will include a private tenant lounge and a fitness facility housed within the existing circa 1910 buildings.

Residences will be accessed via the Meletio building, which will serve as the residential lobby. An eighth-floor resident lounge and connecting pool deck will have Dallas skyline views.

The developer is Todd Interests. Construction will be done by Andres Construction. The architect is Merriman Anderson Architects. Office leasing will be handled by Altschuler Company, and retail leasing will be handled by ShopCo.