The very first Neiman Marcus store opened in 1907 in downtown Dallas — and with it, a retail icon was born. Known for pioneering high-end shopping in the South, Neiman Marcus eventually expanded across the country, including a location at Plano’s struggling Shops at Willow Bend. But now, the focus is back where it all began: downtown.
Though the historic flagship was originally set to close, a surprising twist has kept the landmark store open through the 2025 holiday season — and now, it might stay open even longer as the city strikes a new deal and explores how to reimagine its future.
Saving The Flagship
As Local Profile previously reported, the store’s future was in question for months following a dispute with the landowners — descendants of Dallas pioneer C.C. Slaughter. In February, Saks Global announced it would shutter the downtown store, citing the conflict over the land beneath the building.
But for city leaders and longtime Dallasites, letting go of the Neiman Marcus flagship wasn’t an option. The store has been a cultural and commercial anchor in the heart of the city for more than a century. Dallas officials began meeting with Saks Global, urging them to reconsider and proposing a new vision that could reimagine the site’s future.
A New Deal To Keep The Store And History Alive
This week, a breakthrough came. Following negotiations with Saks leadership, the Dallas City Council voted unanimously to accept a donation of the land beneath the downtown store. The land — transferred from Slaughter Partners LP, CCS Commerce A LLC, and CCS Commerce B LLC — will now be owned by the city.
The donation clears a path for a potential long-term solution. Under the agreement, the city will negotiate a lease for about 2,500 square feet of improved space, allowing Neiman Marcus to remain in operation while the larger future of the site is determined.
“We deeply admire the city's passion and unwavering dedication to Neiman Marcus’ storied legacy in Dallas,” Saks Global CEO Marc Metrick previously said in an official statement.
Looking Ahead: A New Kind Of Downtown Destination
Saks has hinted at a variety of ideas for the iconic building, including a luxury retail experience, a curated art exhibition and an event space focused on fashion. Another concept would transform part of the site into a hub for fashion design and manufacturing — a nod to the brand’s roots while offering something new to today’s consumers.
“We are excited that Saks Global has decided to keep Neiman Marcus open downtown, as we explore the opportunity to unlock the potential to transform downtown into an international beacon and economic engine for fashion — just as the Neiman Marcus founders intended when they opened the store more than 100 years ago,” said Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert. “We look forward to exploring what‘s on the horizon and are committed to continuing our conversations with the Saks Global team.”
For now, the doors stay open. And with fresh support from city leaders and new creative possibilities on the table, Neiman Marcus’s downtown flagship may not just survive — it might evolve into something entirely new.
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