The kids of Gabriel Barbier-Mueller, the creator and chairman of Harwood International and designer of Dallas’ Harwood District, never ever planned to enter the dining establishment service. But they’re now in it– in a huge method. Harwood’s hospitality group (that includes dining establishments, catering, and hotels) is among 4 departments Alexis and Oliver Barbier-Mueller lead as co-presidents of their household’s business. They likewise handle its other 3 powerful verticals: leasing and property management, advancement and building and construction, and capital markets. Combined, the Harwood International groups have about 700 staff members.
Gabriel matured in Geneva,Switzerland He transferred to Dallas in 1979 and started establishing Harwood District on the western edge of Uptown in the mid-1980s. His kids took various paths to reach the exact same location. After finishing from The University of Texas at Austin, Alexis, 39, operated in banking in Switzerland for a number of years, then signed up with Harwood’s workplace inLondon (The business likewise has a workplace in Geneva.) In 2012, after two-and-a-half years in England, he went back toDallas “We had actually raised and released a fair bit of cash, a few of it through Harwood International,” Alexis states. “I wished to be back in Dallas and likewise deal with a few of the financial investments we had actually done.”
Oliver, 35, finished from Texas Christian University and after that worked for Vacheron Constantin, a watch business in Geneva, doing supply-chain management and handling worldwide sales points and stock. After a bit more than 2 years, he went back to Texas and got a task as an assistant superintendent at a building and construction business inFort Worth “I was out in the field, discovering the more nuts and bolts side of advancement,” he states. Seeing high markups on products led him to release a building and construction procurement business; his daddy let him try Harwood District’s newest workplace job,Frost Tower “That was my segue into the business,” Oliver states. “Then we began doing vertical combination, forming an architectural company that has actually ended up being the designer of record for our tasks. I was mostly supervising advancement for the very first 8 years. Then the previous number of years or two, Alexis and I have actually stepped up to head the 4 verticals, co-running operations.”
Glanger Photography
A Restaurant Force is Born
For years, the only restaurant in the Harwood District was Marie Gabrielle Restaurant andGardens Developed in 1997, it functioned as a feature for the growing occupant base. Thirteen years later on, a 2nd place was included–Saint Ann Restaurant & &Bar, a repair of a historical schoolhouse that was integrated in 1927 and rests on the exact same system as Harwood’s Saint Ann Court office complex. Mercat Bistro opened in 2013 on the ground flooring of Saint Ann Court as a location for renters to get European- design coffee and breakfast and lunch fare.
Meanwhile, Harwood progressed from a workplace park to more of a city within a city. Two property towers, the 31-story Azure and the 33-story Bleu Ciel, opened in 2007 and 2017, respectively. As part of the shift, the household doubled down on walkability, security, and green area, and started looking for more feedback from renters and homeowners about what the district was missing out on.
One occupant stated he ‘d like to have an honest-to-god sports bar– a location to get a hamburger and a beer. Alexis and Oliver targeted some land the business was warehousing on the western edge of the home. It had close distance to American Airlines Center and lots of close-by parking. They pitched the principle for Happiest Hour, which ended up being the very first job they led for their daddy. “When he saw our concept for concrete floorings, he actually reversed and left of the conference, stating, ‘I do not comprehend that,'” Alexis states with a smile.
How Harwood constructs friendship amongst its GMs and executive chefs.
Alexis Barbier-Mueller and his sibling, fellow co-president Oliver Barbier-Mueller, are associated with style and other principle information, they leave most cooking elements as much as executive chefs. With 10 existing locations in a portfolio that’s anticipated to double in size by the end of next year, they have actually put together a skill force. And they ensure the leaders have a chance to gain from one another.
Chefs and GMs can compare notes due to Harwood’s open-book technique.
The bros utilize an open-book management design, where the chefs and basic supervisors see all numbers. This permits them to take a look at what their peers are doing when it pertains to food rates, purchasing, employing techniques, and more, Alexis states. “Everyone interacts to assist construct the Harwood platform, and there’s enjoyable engagement in between the various kitchen areas,” he states. “It produces a sense of friendship, imagination, and, in many cases, healthy competitors.” The group of chefs just recently invested 4 days in San Diego, exploring the area’s leading dining establishments and hotels. “They all returned house influenced,” Alexis states. “We truly attempt to press and cultivate that.”
The two-story, 12,000-square-foot place has a big outside seating location, a roof that ignores the city, and lots of Instagram- worthwhile settings. The bros challenged a great deal of dining establishment advancement standards, consisting of per-square-foot construct expenses. “Because we were not from hospitality, we would continue to ask why and use reasoning,” Alexis states. “We have actually had the ability to use what we have actually seen with the property towers, the other dining establishments, and workplace towers. With that, you record practically 24 hr of somebody’s day.”
Happiest Hour opened on Texas- OU weekend in 2015. It was an instant hit, with about 3,000 individuals coming through its doors. In 2019, the dining establishment and bar drew in more than 1.2 million individuals. It brought a brand-new ambiance and crowd– millennials and Gen Z– toHarwood District And, as one of the highest-grossing bars in the state, it generated a lot of cash.
A game-changer that far surpassed expectations, it resulted in a household conversation about entering the dining establishment service in a more formalized, institutional method, Alexis states. “We stated, ‘This is something that’s excellent for the city, it’s excellent for structures, our renters enjoy, it’s developing presence, and we’re doing an excellent task,” he states. “That’s when we chose to develop a hospitality group as a 4th operating vertical. Oliver and I establish the principles and handle the development, and we have actually developed a group that’s now approaching 800 staff members.”
Robert Underwood
International Inspiration
Since Happiest Hour, 6 brand-new dining establishments have actually been included the district. Coffee store and café Magnolias: Sous Le Pont opened in 2015, as did The Grove at Harwood, which likewise offers an outside facility for renters and homeowners. The upscale Dolce Riviera, in which Gabriel took an unique interest, opened in 2016. (It just recently resumed after closing throughout the pandemic.)
Te Deseo, a Latin American dining establishment that opened in 2019, is Harwood’s biggest place to date (14,000 square feet) and a principle that turns the wide-open Happiest Hour on its head, with closed-off dining-room and 4 unique bars.
The newest restaurants, Harwood Arms and Elephant East, both of which opened in 2015, started a brand-new section of Harwood District called La Rue Perdue (equated as “the lost street”). It’s a European- influenced, cobblestone path that links theHarwood No 4 andNo 10 office complex and Harwood and McKinnon streets.
As the dining establishment platform has actually sped up, it has actually moved well beyond supplying facilities. “We have around 40,000 individuals in the district now [residents and tenant employees] and about 40,000 individuals weekly pertaining to the dining establishments,” Oliver states. “It’s big for us since we’re working to ensure that things are not near the district. We are attempting to make it simple to get here.”
He and Alexis are disciples of a book called Happy City by Charles Montgomery, which promotes the principle of triggering joy through metropolitan style. “A huge part of it is gain access to points,” Oliver states. “So, we’re including a brand-new drop-off along McKinnon Street forHarwood No 4, like the drop-off in front of Happiest Hour, to make it much easier for individuals to get in and park and valet. We’re likewise taking cars and trucks off Harwood Street to make it more pedestrian-friendly.”
While others took a time out throughout the pandemic, the Harwood group pressed forward. They have an unique benefit; they manage their own land and funding.
Harwood Arms, a London- design club, is amongst the platform’s most triggered locations, with programs hits like live-band karaoke, sports seeing celebrations, and an enjoyable “Wheel of Misfortune.” A Saint Patrick’s Day celebration closed Harwood Street and drew in more than 1,000 individuals. The success of the activations has actually led the Barbier-Muellers to just recently employ a group to concentrate on occasions– celebrations, music efficiencies, and so on– throughout the district. Harwood Arms draws in an extremely varied crowd, with CEOs dropping in for lunch, couples appearing for breakfasts and date nights, and college alumni for sports-watching celebrations. “We have actually been amazed by the clients,” Oliver states. “It’s like an SMU bar on Saturday night.”
Elephant East sits within La Rue Perdue on McKinnonStreet Inspired by the household’s love of Asian fare, the style principle altered when the team travelled to Santa Fe and went to an antiquarians. “He had this huge elephant out front, and we found he had storage facilities loaded with things– walls and doors and arches from Pakistan, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia,” Oliver states. “We flew back with our interior decoration group and simulated an American Pickers thing. Everything was determined on website. The elephant got our instant attention, so we stated, ‘OK. Let’s bring the elephant here and get individuals’s attention.'”
As with all Harwood tasks, Elephant East gets its motivation from the household’s comprehensive global experiences. The concept for the red bamboo gardens that surround the elephant was drawn from a chateau south ofFrance “It likewise bookends the red of Harwood Arms,” Alexis describes. “It’s a method to bring attention and energy and welcome individuals into La Rue Perdue.”
Courtesy Marie Gabrielle Restaurant
Daniel Driensky
Doubling in Size
Over the next 15 months, Harwood Hospitality Group will go from 10 to 20 principles. Up initially is a pizza and martini joint called Poco Fiasco, set to make its launching this fall. It will consist of an extra-large bar and a walk-up counter where individuals can get a piece and go. It will be followed next spring by a big cantina with access to the Katy Trail opening on the northern end of the district. Two principles will be contributed to Harwood’s newest office complex,No 14, and a number of will be housed within a brand-new 22-story hotel that’s opening in 2023. The Barbier-Muellers explain it as “taking a New York city block and inverting it on its Y axis.”
Harwood likewise is entering the retail video game. A little market within La Rue Perdue will use gelato, sandwiches, and treats. Patrons can likewise acquire white wine by the bottle, coffee premises, and sauces from Harwood dining establishments such asDolce Riviera “It will resemble a mini Harwood kitchen,” Alexis states.
Having a large variety of locations within one area permits the business to make the most of economies of scale. It likewise offers internal knowing and development chances for staff members; it’s not uncommon for chefs, servers, and even business employees to pursue their interests and shift to brand-new functions and brand names. This has actually assisted offer Harwood an edge in keeping and drawing in staff members, consisting of leading chefs. “The Dallas market is exceptionally competitive, and there has actually been a flight of skill to Dallas on the cooking side,” Oliver states. “We have actually gotten a lot of chefs from New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, andCalifornia It has actually enabled us to raise our requirements and expectations– since we need to. Dallas’ tastes and choices and level of elegance on the cooking side is increasing.”
Employees likewise like the security Harwood can use, with its numerous locations and integrated occupant and resident base, particularly in a market that’s not particularly understood for durability. Alexis states he and his household remain in it for keeps. “Our service strategy is a generational one,” he states. “We’ll remain in the dining establishment and hospitality service for years and generations to come, much like we will remain in advancement and building and construction and property management and capital markets. That assists us when individuals are searching for consistency. It’s stability. They understand we are going to be here.”
Harwood International
A Variety of Tastes and Venues
From coffee bar to great dining, Harwood District is house to 10 dining establishments. That number is anticipated to double in 2023.
1997.
Marie Gabrielle Restaurant and Gardens. Surrounded by a rich, 1.5-acre greenspace and tree allee, it serves breakfast and lunch and does a busy wedding event and occasions service.
2010.
Saint Ann Restaurant & & Bar. Preserved and transformed from a 1927 schoolhouse, it serves New American meals and functions extensive patio area shaded by a tree canopy.
2013.
Mercat Bistro A modern coffeehouse and dining establishment, it’s understood for pastries and French specializeds. It serves breakfast, lunch, and supper, and has a popular weekend breakfast.
2015.
Happiest Hour This two-story place was a game-changer in the district’s nightlife scene. It provides roof views, outside seating, and a signature meal: the Nacho Tower.
2015.
Magnolias: Sous Le Pont. A charming meeting place that serves craft coffees and breakfast and lunch fare, it has actually ended up being a popular area for those who wish to work from another location.
2015.
The Grove at Harwood. A dog-friendly outside area billed as the “supreme yard,” it includes treats and mixed drinks, picnic tables and hammocks, and beach ball and bocce ball courts.
2016.
Dolce Riviera Inspired by the Italian Riviera, this popular great dining restaurant has actually been drawing crowds because just recently resuming, after shuttering throughout the pandemic for an overhaul.
2019.
Te Deseo The stylish Latin American restaurant includes a series of distinct dining-room, 4 bars, and a roof that ignores the city. At 14,000 square feet, it’s Harwood’s biggest principle to date.
2021.
Harwood Arms This London- design club draws in everybody from Gen Z to Fortune 100 CEOs. Its programs consists of live-band karaoke, trivia night, and soccer and football view celebrations.
2021.
Elephant East A pan-Asian dining establishment and lounge influenced by culture and food from Bangkok to Bali, its sensational design is anchored by antique wood carvings, columns, and doors.
Author
Christine Perez
Christine is the editor of D CEO publication and its online platforms. She’s a nationwide acclaimed service reporter who has …
