Dallas ISD, in collaboration withMerriman Anderson Architects (MAA) and Bowa-EJ Smith Construction – Post L Group, a Joint Venture, is proud to announce the upcoming groundbreaking for the new Dallas ISD Nolan Estes Campus, taking place on June 26, 2025 at 10 a.m. The new 142,000-square-foot, three-story Nolan Estes Plaza will be located at 912 S Ervay Street, Dallas, TX 75201, and is projected to open its doors to students in January 2027.

The campus will bring together three distinct schools under one roof:

• Downtown Montessori Academy (DMA)

• CityLab High School

• Innovation, Design, Entrepreneurship Academy (IDEA)

This unique educational environment is designed to foster collaboration, creativity, and experiential learning for students from Pre-K through 12th grade in the heart of Downtown Dallas.

“This project is the culmination of years of collaboration with Dallas ISD to envision a school that meets the evolving needs of students, educators, and the downtown community,” said John Carruth, Principal, Director of Design, at Merriman Anderson Architects. “We’re proud to contribute to a campus that reflects both the diversity of the city and the future of public education.”

The path to the project was unconventional: originally awarded on a different site through a competitive selection process, the team was ultimately engaged directly by Dallas ISD. MAA began its work on the design in 2019 through early studies of multiple potential sites. Its deep familiarity with the program helped secure the commission for the current site.

MAA is also providing full interior design services for the new campus.

The consultant team, composed entirely of minority- and woman-owned businesses, includes:

• MEP/Fire Protection: MEPCE

• Structural and Civil: Geisler Partners Consulting Engineers + RLG

• Landscape Architecture: CCA Landscape Architects

• Acoustics: Saunders Associates

• Food Services: Bosma Design Solutions

• Building Envelope: ABBAE

• Storm Shelter Review: Farnsworth Group

• Traffic: DeShazo Group

• Permitting: Lam Engineering

• Accessibility: BDA Accessibility Services

Leading construction efforts on the project is Bowa-EJ Smith Construction – Post L Group, a Joint Venture.

As this new educational facility begins construction, the groundbreaking ceremony will mark a significant step toward supporting a more integrated and innovative approach to public education in Dallas.