“While New York and Los Angeles will always be leading cities in the design community, Dallas is quickly gaining recognition as a top destination for designers,” said Ruth Griggs, Leasing Director at the Dallas Design Center (DDC).

The DDC has continued to thrive despite a slow economy the past couple of years. With 10 new showrooms and over 45,000 SF of new showroom leases in 2012, the DDC is over 90% leased and has plans to add more luxury showrooms in 2013.

Having more than doubled in size since it opened in 1982, DDC is now home to over 40 showrooms.

Like most design centers these days, the DDC is open to designers and their clients as well as consumers who wish to be connected with a designer. The North Texas ASID Chapter is located in the building and helps new customers find a great designer.

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Griggs offers the inside scoop behind the ever-growing design center.

EAL: Describe the design community in Dallas. Is Dallas the hot spot in Texas?

RG: The Dallas Designer center is located in the heart of the Dallas Design District, which has  over 3 million square feet of showrooms. It’s the largest design campus in the United States and has become a one-stop shop for everything design.

EAL: Who is shopping the building?

RG: The Design District is shopped not only by local Dallas designers, but by designers traveling from all over Texas, the United States and Mexico. They range from younger designers building a client base to more established designers.

EAL: How many designers shop at the DDC?

RG: Because we are an open-air facility, we do not have a central check in point to measure traffic. Most designers and customers stay up to date on DDC events, showroom openings, and new line launches through our blog, which reaches over 7,000 individuals.

EAL: What types of educational programs are available to designers?

RG: We have two educational events each year at the DDC: Grow! and Inspire! Both draw hundreds of designers by offering continuing education courses and networking opportunities to connect designers, showrooms and potential clients.

To learn more about the Dallas Design Center and to get involved as a designer or consumer, visit the website.