Downtown Dallas Has 'Turned a Corner'

"Along with those moves from outside the area, local firms have recently transferred offices from the suburbs to Dallas' city center. Among them: Tenet Healthcare, 7-Eleven, American International Group and TM Advertising.

'There is definitely a pendulum swing here,' said Phil Puckett, the CB Richard Ellis executive vice president who represented Tenet in its search for office space.

Downtown's position as the hub of regional rail traffic is in big part driving the prosperity, Mr. Puckett said.

'Never before have we had gasoline prices so high, and that's having a big impact,' he said. 'With the central business district being rich in DART rail and the added line going to D/FW Airport, it is a major decision factor' by companies considering a move.