KAI Awarded $22.3 Million Contract to Renovate The Black Academy of Arts and Letters Arts Institution in Dallas

KAI has been selected to provide architectural and engineering design services to expand and renovate the home of The Black Academy of Arts and Letters (TBAAL), a cultural mecca in Dallas, TX.

The Dallas City Council approved a $22.3 million contract with KAI on Jan. 8, fulfilling Component 4 of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center District (KBHCCD) Master Plan to transform Dallas into a premier global convention destination. The project leverages the unique strengths and histories of its lead firms, ensuring a blend of local insight, cultural sensitivity, and world-class expertise.

“We are incredibly excited to work on such a transformative project. Creating the expanded and enhanced home for TBAAL contributes to the overall goal of having a premiere cultural destination in the City of Dallas and the region on the new KBHCCD Campus,” said KAI President Darren L. James, FAIA, NOMA, NCARB. “At KAI, we seek opportunities to improve arts-related environments, such as performance venues and exhibition spaces, and particularly those that provide exceptional educational programming for young people. TBAAL is the type of project we love because we have the opportunity to illuminate its tremendous historical significance while creating a lasting impact for the City of Dallas and beyond!”

Located at 1309 Canton St. in the Dallas Convention Center Theatre Complex, the nationally recognized TBAAL is a multi-discipline arts institution that has been part of the Dallas arts fabric for nearly five decades. In addition to presenting and producing more than 100 cultural programs annually, TBAAL services more than 50,000 youth in its arts and education programs. KAI assembled a team with international design expertise and thought leadership, achieving a 74.74% M/WBE participation and delivering on the City of Dallas’ goal of forming a team representative of the local demographic makeup. Dallas-based Dikita Enterprises serves as the Project Manager and Owner’s Representative for the Dallas Convention Center Component 4.

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