In October of 2021, the Cathedral sold nearly 4 acres of its campus along Garrett and Henderson Avenues to Trammel Crow Residential (TCR) for development into over 320 apartment units that will bring approximately 500 new neighbors to the Cathedral’s doorstep. In addition to adding much-needed housing to the city, 10% of the units are designated as “affordable housing,” thus increasing options for those struggling to afford a place to live near their work. The project also contributes to the renaissance of Old East Dallas, welcoming new people into our venerable community and augmenting the number of patrons for local businesses.

The TCR development is an essential part of the Cathedral’s renewal, as well. With the proceeds from the sale of the land, the Cathedral will be able to renovate the historic Garrett Hall (formerly a girls’ school dormitory in which Lady Bird Johnson lived) to receive the Diocesan offices (which have been demolished to make way for the apartments) and relocate the Cathedral offices from the first floor. This will open the ground floor of Garrett Hall to be renovated into a preschool to serve a desperate need in our community – made more acute by the closures during the pandemic – for quality childcare options for working parents.

Additionally, the proceeds of the sale will be used to create a beautiful outdoor green space which will be offered to the community as a site for concerts, art exhibitions, weddings, and other public gatherings. The Cathedral Green will be a wonderful oasis of prayerfulness and calm in the midst of a dynamic and bustling city. In addition to the financial package, TCR is making and in-kind contribution to the Cathedral of 150 parking spaces in the garage of the building on Garrett Avenue, which will enable the current parking lot on Ross Avenue to be transformed into a ground-leased retail area with attractive public space available for farmer’s markets and other enterprises that bring a diverse neighborhood together and encourages all to make the Cathedral grounds their home.

Finally, the financial resources derived from the sale of the land will enable St. Matthew’s Cathedral to invest in its core mission to proclaim God’s love for humanity and equip his people to share that love with one another. A key constituency served by the Cathedral’s ministries is the homeless population in Old East Dallas, and the land development will strengthen the Cathedral’s ability to serve the most vulnerable and marginalized persons in our community.

Taken together, the results of the Cathedral’s land development will enable a deeper fulfillment of our mission: “Christ—Compassion—Community.” We seek to be a people of generous and sacrificial love who extend a holy hospitality to everyone, drawing them together into a unity that overcomes our differences and shines a light into the part of God’s world in which we have been planted.