Photos by Mike Lewis
Opened to much acclaim in 2021, The Westin Dallas Southlake is preparing to shine even brighter.
The hotel has officially broken ground on its standalone event venue “The Jewel Box” that promises to bring a new level of style and versatility to the local event scene.
SRH Hospitality Southlake Realty LLC, which operates The Westin Dallas Southlake, received preliminary approval from the Southlake City Council in March, with the project carrying an estimated cost of $4.09 million, according to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Completion is targeted for the fourth quarter of this year.
The name is no accident. CEO Paul Barham of SRH Hospitality has described the design as resembling an engagement ring box, and the architectural renderings live up to the metaphor. The 5,016-square-foot addition will offer approximately 3,500 square feet of usable event space, with capacity for roughly 175–180 guests for a wedding and up to 200 for a standing reception. A covered walkway will connect the venue to the existing 261-room hotel, while an outdoor area will feature astroturf and a large LED screen.
A rendering of The Jewel Box at The Westin Dallas Southlake.
The screen will also open the door to additional programming, including outdoor launches and dive-in movies at the hotel’s resort-style pool.
“Both with the screen and the ‘Jewel Box,’ there’s no other hotel in this market that has anything like that,” Barham said.
General Manager Scott Paradine has said the addition will deepen what the Westin already does well.
"[The Jewel Box] allows us to enhance the sense of intimacy and attention to detail that defines our events," he said. "Being connected to the hotel by a covered walkway, this standalone venue will offer views of our resort-style pool and green space — the feel of a private event venue.”
Photo by Mike Lewis
For Barham, the project reflects a broader commitment to staying ahead of the curve while building on the hotel’s relationship with the community.
“We’ve always believed that if you don’t innovate, then you fall behind,” he said. “We believe, obviously in Southlake, we’re blessed to be here. The support from the local community has been fantastic.”
With the Westin’s existing conference center already offering multiple salons, ballroom space, and the Skyline Ballroom with terrace, The Jewel Box will further expand the hotel’s events portfolio. As Barham and his team prepare to launch the new venue, the goal is to offer something guests won’t find elsewhere in the market.