Hilton has officially launched its first Graduate by Hilton property in Texas with the opening of Graduate Dallas, a 93-room boutique hotel located directly across from Southern Methodist University (SMU) in the historic Highland Park neighbourhood. The opening marks a major milestone for the brand’s expansion into the Lone Star State, with another Graduate hotel slated for Austin.
Developed and designed by AJ Capital Partners, Graduate Dallas is a thoughtful restoration of the former Lumen Hotel, blending mid-century modern architecture with Texas ranch-style interiors and Graduate’s signature collegiate nostalgia. Guests are welcomed into a vibrant lobby featuring tanned leather and velvet sofas, cowhide ottomans, shearling armchairs, and handwoven textiles. A vintage postcard of Exall Lake and a hand-carved reception desk adorned with wild mustangs pay tribute to local heritage and SMU traditions.
“A Graduate in Dallas’s Highland Park was a natural fit,” said Parker Henderson, Brand Leader, Graduate by Hilton. “It reflects our core values of lifelong learning and community connection.”
Highlights of the Property
- Los Charros Tex-Mex Smokehouse, the hotel’s signature restaurant, celebrates Mexican horsemen culture with bold flavours and rustic design
- Outdoor pool and terrace, ideal for relaxation and private events
- Flexible event spaces for university functions, corporate gatherings, and social celebrations
- Guest rooms featuring red, white, and blue palettes, bluebonnet-inspired fabrics, and horse-print wallpaper
Graduate Dallas is part of the Hilton Honors loyalty program, offering members exclusive benefits and digital tools for a personalised stay.
“This is a community full of character, tradition, and creative energy,” said Ben Weprin, Founder of Graduate Hotels and CEO of AJ Capital Partners. “We’re honoured to bring this project to life in a way that reflects all of that through design, storytelling, and the nostalgic traditions that live on at SMU.”
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