Bishop Arts District in Dallas

The Bishop Arts District has gained notoriety in Dallas news publications and local magazines who praise the area for its great energy and vibe. The area has an offbeat appeal that many visitors are drawn to and residents love. The Bishop Arts District derived its names from the artist and artisans who initially populated the area. The neighborhood was full of warehouses that artists used as studios. The area was originally used as a place for warehouses and shops, but a trolley stop transformed Bishop Arts District into an urban oasis that would eventually become a hot spot in Dallas. Today, the district has over 50 restaurants, boutiques, and merchants and is considered part of Dallas history. Bishop Arts District is so old that it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.

The appearance of new restaurants entering the area has nicknamed the Bishop Arts District into the Bishop Eats District. The Bishop Arts District is growing so rapidly that many residents and business owners are amazed. Many artsy neighborhoods have a difficult time balancing the restaurant and shopping aspect with the artistic outlets the area wishes to display. Although an influx of eateries have made their way to the Bishop Arts District, the neighborhood has maintained its artistic integrity and kept galleries and performance facilities continuously running.

Many of the buildings in Bishop Arts District are maintained by a company called Good Space Inc. The company specializes in the restoration of old apartment and commercial buildings. The buildings in the Bishop Arts area is protected by a conservation district that requires developers to respect and retain the allure of the neighborhood. Many of the homes and buildings in the area maintain their original and antique characteristics. Good Space Inc. came to the Bishop Arts District in 1995, and has restored buildings and homes in the area since that time.

There is a myriad of shops in the area. The most notable shop in the area is The Bishop Street Market. The shop won an award as the district's best gift shop in a contest held by the Dallas Observer. The market is located at the very heart of the Bishop Arts District and shoppers can find Italian Pottery, Thymes Collections and sophisticated home furnishings for sale. The Bishop Arts District provides a pocket of Dallas that combines cute shops, great restaurants, and an artistic ambiance. Because the area is tucked into a small section of Oak Cliff it is considered a hidden gem of Dallas.

The city of Dallas has invested heavily in the district over the years. City officials have poured hundreds of thousand of dollars to renovate the area and promote projects that update sidewalks, lampposts, and brick facings. The Bishop Arts District is located in the Oak Cliff section of Dallas. It is situated in the northern portion of Oak Cliff and is a five minute commute from downtown Dallas. A trolley makes commuting from the art district into downtown convenient for the residents of the area.