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INSIDE T BAR M RACQUET CLUB'S SLICK $70 MILLION MAKEOVER A bout a year ago, Brady Wo o d , f o u n d e r o f hospitality investment firm WoodHouse (Park H o u s e , J o s é ) , f o u n d himself discussing a recent acquisition, T Bar M Racquet Club, with Dirk Nowitzki. "Don't eff up the tennis," warned Dallas' greatest athlete — only he didn't censor it. Rumors began swirling about what might happen to Dallas' beloved T Bar M since the news broke that WoodHouse had purchased the 13-acre campus. Since Everything we know so far about WoodHouse's reimagining of the North Dallas club opening off Preston Road and Dilbeck Lane in 1972, the private racquet club has earned a prestigious reputation for its top-tier staff and killer tennis academy. But in terms of upkeep, the aesthetics long haven't lived up to T Bar M's illustrious status. That's where WoodHouse and its $70 million renovation come in. It began when Megan Wood, Brady's wife, returned home from playing tennis at T Bar M and recommended her husband look into it. "After I put it into Google and tried to figure out where it was, I came over here and realized what a huge opportunity there was," Brady told a rapt audience of current club members at T Bar M's 50th- anniversary celebration in January. For anyone worried WoodHouse's presence would mean a total erasure of the past five decades, Brady did his best to put their fears at ease. "The first thing we did was talk to members, pros, and focus groups. We had dinner and drinks and learned what you wanted. And I've gotta tell you, when you acquire a company, what typically happens is not this. We inherited the absolute best team and culture — we don't have to change a thing. We're celebrating it." WoodHouse is focusing on "enhancing" the club, a mission that includes resurfacing hard courts, adding three red clay courts, and throwing in one grass court "just for fun." Brady shared plans for all new LED lighting, updated sound systems, a dedicated lounge for the pros, a pickleball pavilion, and bathrooms in the tennis pavilion — that last announcement was met with rapturous applause from current members. But this is a WoodHouse project, after all, so the look, feel, and social component of the club are where the firm will leave its mark. To help them nail a thoughtful T Bar M makeover, Brady and his team assembled what he calls a trifecta of talent. There's Texas-based architecture firm Lake|Flato, whose refined modern designs have won accolades. Dallas-based Hocker (Forty Five Ten, Dallas Museum of Art Eagle Family Plaza) will oversee landscaping of T Bar M's 13 acres. And, finally, Los Angeles-based Commune Design (Manhattan's Goop store and several Ace Hotels, including the swim club in Palm Springs) will helm the T Bar M interiors. In addition to the enhancements, the $70 million renovation will include a new 20,000-square-foot clubhouse designed by Lake|Flato with restaurants, lounges, coffee/juice bars, and event spaces. An updated fitness and wellness facility will include group classes and a standalone spa for sports massages and facials. T Bar M's current swimming pool will be replaced by a new resort-style setup complete with a poolside margarita bar and taqueria. T Bar M renovations are projected to take place in phases over the next two years, during which the club will remain open for play. But beyond poolside tacos, adults- only bar areas, and a dedicated pickleball pavilion, the new era of T Bar M is a boon for all Texas tennis lovers. "When I hear the story of Brady's vision, I can't tell you how fantastic that is for tennis, not only here in Dallas, Texas but across the country," said Peter Lebedevs, tournament director of the Dallas Open. "It's setting a standard that's going to be the benchmark for everyone." Caitlin Clark OBSESSIONS. DECORATION. SALIENT FACTS. Rendering of a new stadium-style court at T Bar M Racquet Club Rendering of the T Bar M Racquet Club envisioned by WoodHouse COURTESY LAKE | FLATO 22