The Charles Gets a New Look in the Dallas Design District

The redesign of the restaurant is a 'deliberate reimagining' of its original DNA, honoring the roots while pushing the experience forward.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The Charles, a restaurant in the Dallas Design District opened by Duro Hospitality in 2018, has undergone a redesign and reopened with a new look and menu offerings. The redo is described as a 'deliberate reimagining' of the restaurant's original DNA, honoring its roots while pushing the experience forward to be 'richer, sexier, moodier, and more magnetic than ever.'

Why it matters

The Charles was the first-ever concept from Dallas-based Duro Hospitality, and the redesign shows the company's commitment to staying fresh and evolving the restaurant to earn longevity in the competitive Dallas dining scene. The new look and menu aim to surprise and delight diners who may have previously had certain expectations about the restaurant.

The details

The redesign, led by Duro Hospitality Partners and Corbin and Ross See of Sees Design, began organically as a simple seating refresh but grew into a much bigger makeover. The team was inspired by a Roman bedroom they saw at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, which became a catalyst for rethinking how to make The Charles 'even more interesting while keeping its soul intact.' The new design leans harder into the idea of Italian design from different eras coexisting beautifully, going for a more elaborate and expressive look compared to the previous mid-century style. The menu also features new additions like Focaccia di Charles with prosciutto and black truffle honey, Hamachi Crudo, and various grilled dishes showcasing rustic, smoky flavors.

  • The Charles opened in the Dallas Design District in 2018.
  • The restaurant recently closed briefly to undergo the redesign.
  • The Charles has now reopened with its new look and menu.

The players

Duro Hospitality

A Dallas-based hospitality company that opened The Charles restaurant in 2018 as its first-ever concept.

Chas Martin

Founding Partner of Duro Hospitality.

Corbin See

Partner at Sees Design, who led the redesign of The Charles.

Benji Homsey

Founding Partner of Duro Hospitality.

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What they’re saying

“When we opened The Charles, we were underdogs challenging a well-established Dallas dining scene. We had one goal then, and it's the same goal now: to be the most iconic, edgiest, best version of ourselves possible.”

— Chas Martin, Founding Partner, Duro Hospitality (Dallas Innovates)

“That moment at The Met became a catalyst for rethinking what The Charles could be today. We started asking ourselves, 'If we were opening The Charles today, how would we make it even more interesting while keeping its soul intact?'”

— Corbin See, Partner, Sees Design (Dallas Innovates)

“Since opening in 2018, we've defied expectations—surprising diners who walked in expecting something ordinary and left completely blown away in the best way. That spirit remains at the core of our refinement of The Charles.”

— Benji Homsey, Founding Partner, Duro Hospitality (Dallas Innovates)

The takeaway

The Charles' redesign demonstrates Duro Hospitality's commitment to continuously evolving and elevating the dining experience at their flagship restaurant in the Dallas Design District. By leaning into the restaurant's original Italian design aesthetic while making it more elaborate and expressive, The Charles is poised to surprise and delight diners for years to come.