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dallas’ Cole Manor Motel: From historic Landmark to ‘Infamous Crime Hub’ Faces Legal Showdown
The future of a once-celebrated Dallas motel hangs in the balance as the city prepares for a trial next month to address decades of alleged criminal activity and code violations. Cole Manor, originally known as El Sombrero Motor Courts, is at the centre of a legal battle that pits the city against the property owner, Manor Hospitality corp., and a now-absent operator accused of allowing the property to become an “infamous crime hub.”
The legal proceedings stem from a lawsuit filed in April, alleging that Cole Manor, located on Harry Hines Boulevard, has long served as a base for “prostitution, drug use, and the sale and manufacturing of illicit drugs.” A visit to the motel earlier this week revealed a scene of disrepair and guarded secrecy, with a security guard in what appeared to be a bulletproof vest and a front office employee who refused to disclose ownership facts. When confronted with the city’s allegations, the employee reportedly snapped, “Fake news,” before retreating behind bulletproof glass.
The city’s case is bolstered by a history of police involvement,with 28 calls to the motel in the last three years alone,including reports of aggravated assaults,drug manufacturing,and even a homicide. Federal and local law enforcement dismantled a seven-person drug trafficking operation at the motel in February, recovering six firearms, fentanyl, crack cocaine, and $20,000 in cash.
Though, Manor Hospitality Corp.’s attorney, Lance “Luke” Beshara, argues that his client bears no responsibility for the alleged criminal activity. He claims the issues stem from the actions of Bhumiya3 LLC,the motel’s former operator,who has allegedly been removed from the property and is currently unreachable. “Probably a new tenant,” Beshara stated, suggesting his client intends to find someone to keep the motel open. “They’re not going to let the property sit vacant. People would break in.”
The city disputes this claim,citing the Texas Local Government Code,which places responsibility for maintaining the property on the owner. according to Jill Haning, the city’s deputy chief of the litigation division, the city will seek a court order to either appoint a receiver to take control of the property and address the violations or require Manor Hospitality Corp. to do so. City attorneys have been attempting to address issues at Cole Manor as 2002, with problems repeatedly resurfacing.
Beyond the legal battle, the fate of Cole Manor represents a loss for local preservation efforts. Opened in 1946, the motel was designed by the renowned architect Charles Dilbeck, celebrated for his innovative post-war motor lodge designs, including the beloved Belmont Hotel. In 2018, Preservation Dallas added Cole Manor to its list of most endangered historic buildings, recognizing its architectural significance and its vulnerability to advancement pressures from the expanding nearby Medical District.
The motel’s history is also marked by earlier incidents, dating back to 1950 when armed robbers stole $300 from the auto court’s manager. A 1958 article in The dallas Morning News even reported on a “pants bandit” targeting the then-named El Sombrero Motor Courts.
The upcoming trial, scheduled to begin January 8th with a temporary injunction hearing followed by a full trial 18 days later, will determine
