For a half century, Arlington Hall was a popular destination for parties and special events. However, time took its toll on the building. A deteriorating structure, lack of air conditioning, inadequate Kitchen and Rest Room facilities and non-compliance with handicap and fire codes necessitated a major renovation. The renovation included an expansion from 4,100 square feet to 10,000 square feet. The orientation of the building was changed so that the Main Entrance is now on the Lee Parkway side, conveniently located to the Parking Court. Another major enhancement was the addition of terraces to each side of the building so that guests can enjoy the delightful park setting.

Entrance
 When Arlington Hall was built in 1939, guests parked on Turtle Creek Street, which at the time was merely a small lane winding alongside the stream, and they walked up the lawn to enter the front door. In 1960, Turtle Creek was widened to a boulevard and guests could no longer park on the street, so they began parking in the rear of the building and entering through the back door.


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Reception Room
The back door that was previously used as the entrance was a narrow, utilitarian walkway with unsightly entrances to a storage room, rest room and kitchen. This small appendage was torn down to accommodate the building addition. Now guests emerging from their cars beneath the porte-cochere enter a beautiful Entry flowing into the Reception Room that provides central access to the offices, a coat room, rest rooms and meeting rooms.

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Great Hall
The Great Hall was always a beautifully appointed room but after many years, the paint was peeling and parquet floor was rotted. The old photo shows that radiators provided the heat and portable steps provided access from the Great Hall to the Stage. The new Great Hall features hard wood floors, an acoustical ceiling, enhanced architectural detailing and window treatments. During the renovation, a matching chandelier from the old Crystal Ballroom in the Baker Hotel was found and generously donated to the new Arlington Hall.

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Lee Room
 The old Lee Room had low ceilings, parquet floors and was frequently locked to preserve the antiques, reproductions and Robert E. Lee memorabilia collected by the Dallas Southern Memorial Association over the years. The new Lee Room has higher ceilings, hardwood floors, restored antiques, and locked display cabinets which allow all visitors to enjoy a bit of history.

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Dallas Room
The Dallas Room originally had low ceilings, Linoleum flooring, inadequate lighting, undersized and damaged furniture and no draperies. The new Dallas Room features a higher ceiling, hard wood floors, wooden tables and leather chairs, recessed lighting and floral window treatments.


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