Craig and Kathryn Walt Hall Honored with Downtown Dallas Inc.’s Groundbreaker Award

There’s no question that Craig and Kathryn Walt Hall, founders of the HALL Group real estate development firm, have made a significant impact on the growth and vibrancy of downtown Dallas. The Halls were honored last week at Downtown Dallas Inc.’s annual meeting, a ritzy soirée at the Omni Dallas Hotel. 

Lucy Billingsley, a partner in Billingsley Company development firm, introduced the Halls at the Feb. 11 event. 

“They’re quite the couple,” Billingsley said. “They have helped transform industries, champion innovation, and enhance communities. They created the HALL Group. Craig, at age 18, bought a boarding house and started to turn that into a huge national multifamily platform. He is just an entrepreneur in his very essence.”

Craig Hall was a part owner of the Dallas Cowboys and invested in airlines, software, and biotech. He now leads HALL Real Estate Group and HALL Financial Group. The Halls jointly own a Napa Valley winery and have the honor of being New York Times best-selling authors.

Craig and Kathryn Walt Hall to Receive Downtown Dallas Inc.’s Groundbreaker Award

Kathryn Walt Hall is an attorney, a diplomat, and the co-founder of the North Texas Food Bank. 

“She was invited by President Clinton to become the ambassador for the United States to Austria,” Billingsley said. “In that work, she engaged in ramping up and enhancing our agriculture and international trade. Kathy has always, always been, in every aspect of her life, someone who is fighting for democracy.” 

DDI luncheon attendees were treated to a video honoring the Halls. In her introduction to the video, Billingsley quoted 32nd U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

“In times of chaos and change, a city needs people who are willing to win, desire to serve, and are dedicated to delivering results. They have the ability to be leaders,” Billingsley said. “Those two people are Kathryn and Craig Hall.” 

Groundbreaker Award

The video included testimonials from local dignitaries praising the Halls for their contributions to the city including work on Klyde Warren Park. the Dallas Arts District, and the North Texas Food Bank. 

“Together, Craig and Kathryn Hall exemplify the values of leadership, innovation, and service that define the spirit of downtown Dallas,” said DDI Board chair Katy Murray. 

The Halls graciously accepted their Groundbreaker Award. 

“Craig and I feel grateful to be recognized but we know that the real effort, the real transformation, is a collective effort,” Kathryn Hall said. “Downtown Dallas Inc.’s investment in public art and culture has transformed downtown into a destination where creativity thrives.” 

Craig Hall said he and his wife love downtown.

“We hope we’ve made and can make some small differences,” he said. “This award is not just about us. It’s about many people who make downtown Dallas extraordinary. We’re fortunate as a city to have a number of great leaders, builders, artists, and entrepreneurs who contribute to our second city.”

One of the Halls’ early projects in the late 1980s was converting an office building to apartments.

“One of the great things Downtown Dallas Inc. has done is they’ve encouraged many other buildings to be converted,” Craig Hall said. “Over 15,000 residents live in downtown neighborhoods. The best is yet to come. With the new convention center and exciting projects ahead, Downtown Dallas Inc. will play a key role in pushing boundaries and creating meaningful spaces to make Dallas even better for residents and visitors alike.”

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Prior to the luncheon, DDI president and CEO Jennifer Scripps said the Halls are prominent philanthropists and successful business leaders, chosen for the award because of their outstanding contributions to the region and their unwavering commitment to fostering a thriving urban environment. 

“Craig and Kathryn Hall are true catalysts for positive change in our city and beyond. Their legacy of entrepreneurship, innovation, and community involvement is unmatched,” Scripps said. “Their commitment to shaping the future of Downtown Dallas, along with their global influence and philanthropic efforts, embodies the spirit of the Groundbreaker Award.”

Previous Groundbreaker Award recipients include Robert W. Decherd in 2024 and Ambassador Ron Kirk in 2023.