Dallas Mavericks Propose Tearing Down Iconic City Hall

The team's CEO plans to replace the I.M. Pei-designed building with a new arena and entertainment district.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 6:06pm

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A cinematic painting of the Dallas City Hall building, its inverted-pyramid shape and brutalist facade bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, capturing the building's historic significance and architectural beauty.The iconic Dallas City Hall building, designed by I.M. Pei, faces an uncertain future as the city weighs preserving its historic architecture against the Mavericks' proposal for a new arena complex.Dallas Today

The Dallas Mavericks are expected to propose a plan to tear down the iconic Dallas City Hall building, designed by renowned architect I.M. Pei, in favor of a new basketball arena and entertainment complex. The city-owned building, completed in 1978, is one of only two brutalist-style city halls in the country and has been a source of civic pride for decades. However, the building is in need of significant repairs, estimated at $329 million in immediate needs and $1 billion for full modernization.

Why it matters

The potential demolition of Dallas City Hall has sparked outrage among many residents who see the building as an important part of the city's history and identity. The building was a passion project for a former mayor and has been featured in popular culture, including the RoboCop movies. Preservationists argue the building should be saved, while the Mavericks see the land as a prime location for a new arena as their lease at the American Airlines Center is set to expire in 2031.

The details

Dallas Mavericks CEO Rick Welt is expected to propose a plan to tear down Dallas City Hall and some adjacent properties, including the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, in order to build a new basketball arena, team headquarters, hotel, retail shops, and concert space. The city council remains divided on the issue, with some members strongly opposed to the demolition of the historic building.

  • Dallas City Hall was completed in 1978.
  • The Mavericks' lease at the American Airlines Center expires in 2031.
  • In March, the Dallas City Council hosted a late-night public debate on the future of City Hall.
  • On April 3, the city manager issued a 'Call for Concepts' from the public on what should be done with the building and surrounding government center.
  • The city council is expected to make a decision on the building's future by this summer.

The players

Rick Welt

The CEO of the Dallas Mavericks, who is expected to propose a plan to tear down Dallas City Hall and replace it with a new arena and entertainment district.

I.M. Pei

The renowned Chinese architect who designed the iconic Dallas City Hall building, which was completed in 1978.

Erik Jonsson

The former mayor of Dallas who championed the construction of the Dallas City Hall building as a way to uplift the city's image following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

Kimberly Bizor Tolbert

The Dallas City Manager who issued a 'Call for Concepts' from the public on the future of the Dallas City Hall building and surrounding government center.

Paula Blackmon

A Dallas City Council member who has been against the destruction of Dallas City Hall.

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What they’re saying

“In Robo Cop Rouge City. The video game. You can see the Dallas skyline in the distance. I loved that Easter egg.”

— Rvtrance, Reddit user

“Maybe I'm just not smart enough, but why are there so many people so up in arms about this? Feels a whole lot of fake outrage on the timeline about it.”

— All Things Mavs, X user

What’s next

The Dallas City Council is expected to host public forums over the next few weeks to gather input from residents on the future of the Dallas City Hall building. The council is then expected to make a decision on the building's fate by this summer.

The takeaway

The potential demolition of the iconic Dallas City Hall building has sparked a passionate debate in the city over preserving history versus the need for a new sports and entertainment complex. The decision will likely come down to balancing the building's cultural significance with the practical realities of its aging infrastructure and the Mavericks' desire for a new home arena.