DAAART Hosts Community Celebration to Save Dallas City Hall
Written by John Mai | July 9, 2026
Photo by John Mai
June 25, Dallas, Texas — Despite it being seven o'clock in the evening, the Texas sun still shone radiantly over downtown Dallas, casting its warmth down upon the city. However, a crowd was gathering outside the Four Corners Brewing Company to celebrate and save one of the city’s greatest icons — Dallas City Hall.
Designed by acclaimed Chinese American architect I.M. Pei and completed in 1978, Dallas City Hall has long stood for more than a seat of municipal government. Its striking inverted-pyramid design represented a turning point in the city's history, reflecting Dallas's efforts to redefine itself in the years following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
Photo by John Mai
Today, however, that symbol faces an uncertain future. As Dallas City Council members explore plans to potentially redevelop the site — including the possibility of demolition — residents, artists, and advocates from the community have voiced concerns over what could be lost. For many, the conversation extends far beyond architecture; it is about preserving a piece of Dallas's cultural identity and collective memory.
In response, the Dallas Asian American Arts (DAAART) Collective organized the People's House Party, a community celebration for raising awareness of the building’s potential fate, encouraging residents to advocate for the preservation of City Hall. The event transformed concern into celebration, inviting people from across Dallas to gather in solidarity while honoring the history and significance of the landmark.
During the event, advocates took the stage to share why Dallas City Hall deserves protection. One speaker emphasized that the building represents an architectural achievement by one of the nation's most influential Asian American architects, as well as an enduring example of Asian American excellence and its lasting contributions to American civic and cultural life.
Additionally, this space has served generations of Dallas residents as a place to exercise their voices. Its plaza has served as the backdrop for protests, celebrations, vigils, cultural festivals, and civic demonstrations, becoming a place where communities gather to celebrate victories, demand change, and shape the city's future.
Following the speeches, musicians took to the stage, providing live music for the space as local artists showcased their work, vendors served food and drinks, and attendees mingled beneath the fading daylight. What began as a rally evolved into a reminder of what makes Dallas worth preserving: its people, its diversity, and the spaces that bring communities together.
The People's House Party demonstrated that historic preservation is about more than saving concrete and steel. It is about protecting the places that embody a city's identity, celebrate its cultural heritage, and provide a stage for civic life. As discussions surrounding the future of Dallas City Hall continue, the voices gathered that evening made one message clear: for many residents, City Hall is far more than a government building — it is a symbol of Dallas itself, and it deserves proper consideration for its preservation.
Photo by John Mai
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DAAART
Instagram: @daaartclub
Website: www.daaart.org
Save Dallas City Hall
Instagram: @savedallascityhall
Website: www.savedallascityhall.com
