IRDC

There are many malls in Dallas, but only NorthPark Center boasts a world-class art collection, a ground-breaking children’s library (a gift of the mall’s owners and other donors), a 1.4-acre garden in its center, and celebrity-attended spring and fall runway shows. And a compluvium, an open-to-the-sky, glass-enclosed outdoor space near the food court. Oh, and five department stores anchoring 35+ eateries and more than 230 specialty stores.

That count includes a healthy contingent from the luxury category, including Bottega Veneta, CH Carolina Herrera, Michael Kors and Valentino, and at least 50 other stores exclusive to NorthPark in Dallas-Fort Worth, including Barneys New York, Free People, Paper Source and 7 For All Mankind. J. Crew debuted its Crewcuts concept here, and Dell chose NorthPark for its first-ever retail store.

Since its opening in 1965 by developer and art collector Raymond D. Nasher, the mall has been a showcase for 20th Century sculpture and modern art by the likes of Jonathan Borofsky, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and Frank Stella. All of which seem perfectly at home in the understated elegance of NorthPark, with its cream-colored brick from east Texas, polished concrete floors and abundant natural light.

That timeless, modern aesthetic—and the mall’s unique dual mission—earned NorthPark Center the American Institute of Architects’ “Design of the Decade – 1960s” award, as well as the A.I.A.’s 25-Year Award for Design Excellence in 1992.

If you only have time for one idea-shopping excursion, make it NorthPark. Peruse the list of stores, see a slideshow and get directions from The Adolphus.