One of Deep Ellum’s most historic and storied spaces, the Continental Gin Building, is reopening to the public after an extensive and comprehensive renovation and restoration! Built in 1888, the CGB has long been a staple and an icon of the district and its reopening is the next chapter in its lengthy Deep Ellum history.
In anticipation of the grand reopening on March 22nd, and to learn more about the project and the passion behind it, the Common Desk team and the August Family Real Estate Company took some time to let us know all about what the public can expect from the Continental Gin Building and its new life in Deep Ellum!
What drew the Common Desk team to take on a second space in Deep Ellum? With the founding location of Common Desk located just around the corner from CGB, it seems fitting that we would launch our first full-service property management project in our home neighborhood. The opportunity to partner with August Real Estate Co. to manage the Continental Gin Building is an exciting step for Common Desk towards new opportunities and exponential growth!
How has the building been preserved to retain its historic & cultural significance? Built in 1888, the CGB was once the largest cotton processing equipment manufacturing operation in the US. Most recently, CGB was home to Dallas-based artists, serving as a studio, loft, and meet-up space for creatives. To keep this history & culture alive, the building has been completely revitalized to reflect both its rich past and exciting future. The entire exterior of the building has been stripped down to the original red brick, the majority of which was then repointed. Once inside, you’ll find beautiful 14-foot ceilings with original exposed wood beams and hardwood floors throughout. Additionally, the original freight elevator has been converted into a commemorative stairwell. Each conference room throughout the building has been themed to all types of artistry as an ode to the artist studios that once occupied the building. In addition to the historical restoration, there are numerous energy-efficient upgrades, including solar panels on the roof and front canopy that will contribute to the building’s LEED Silver Certification to go along with the conservationist approach to this piece of history. Our hope is that anyone who walks through the Continental Gin Building can feel the soul of this historical Deep Ellum icon.
What is going to make CGB such a unique place to work? Both tenants of the building and members of Common Desk – Continental Gin will get to enjoy a highly-activated and energetic work environment from the minute they enter CGB’s lobby, which also doubles as the newest outpost of Fiction Coffee, another locally-founded brand. CGB is a crafted workday experience that takes new ground in offerings like spec suites, restaurant spaces, and retail opportunities—going beyond just one facet of workspace and offering something for every type of worker. The building boasts a variety of furnished common areas, conference rooms, lounge areas, and outdoor patio and plaza seating with WiFi, which means that tenants get to enjoy a custom experience in their workspace no matter what day of the week it is. The office spaces available throughout the building will be move-in ready and fully-equipped with top-notch furniture alongside Class A steel, wood, and stone finishes, so that every tenant has what they need to get their best work done–right within their suite. Flexibility is the core of CGB and Common Desk, which means short- or long-term leases are available for every offering. To-be-announced restaurants will offer an exciting and diverse mix of cuisines from several of Dallas’ most talented chefs, which makes the transition from work life to nightlife easier than ever before.
What amenities can people expect when they work there? The Continental Gin’s building-wide amenities include everything from creative lounge spaces to outdoor patio areas, a state-of-the-art VR Lab, a full-service Fiction Coffee, and a plethora of parking options. Common Desk members will have access to unlimited conference room usage, bottomless drip coffee, weekly community events, and the ability to work from all Common Desk locations. CGB has immediate access to the Santa Fe Trail that feeds into East Dallas and connects to White Rock Lake. Members may even be able to look forward to an end-of-day “punch clock toast” hosted by Fiction Coffee at happy hour–because every long day at the office should end with something magical (in our opinion).
Will there be portions of the building that the public can access/enjoy without being a Common Desk member or CGB tenant? The public will have full access to Fiction Coffee as well as the collection of restaurants & retail on the first floor of the building. In addition to the two acres of landscaped grounds surrounding the building with comfortable seating, shade, and convenient WiFi, anyone is welcome to snag a day pass to take advantage of Common Desk’s coworking space on the second floor! Day passes are available for traditional shared space or private offices, offering flexibility for those who need workspace on the fly.
