A theater turned inside out—stacked like a machine, wrapped like a curtain, and rude enough to be brilliant.
Theater in Dallas, Texas.
Featured in Rem Koolhaas's definitive monograph, S,M,L,XL.
Visitor Guide
Circle it once before you go in: the vertical rods read differently every 10 meters—this is a building that edits itself as you walk.
Flora Street sidewalk facing the main elevation, blue hour (15–25 minutes after sunset) when the facade rods silhouette cleanly and interior glow reads as depth.
Interior access is typically tied to performances, events, or occasional tours/open houses; the AT&T Performing Arts Center venue page is the best place to check what’s possible on your visit day. Free alternative: exterior loop + lobby glimpse if doors are open around showtimes.
The innovation isn’t just ‘flexible staging’—it’s the vertical stacking of back-of-house, stage, and audience systems so the building can reconfigure without eating the entire block like a traditional theater.
45–120 minutes (longer if attending a show)
Design & Structure
A radical typology rewrite: the theater’s components are stacked vertically, with stage/audience configurations designed around reconfigurable systems rather than a single fixed proscenium. Digital coordination focuses on movement, rigging, acoustics, and code—performance engineering as design method.
Extruded anodized aluminum rods make the facade a literal urban ‘curtain’—a depth field that changes with sun angle and distance, turning a simple box into a kinetic surface.
High-rise theater means concentrated loads, vibration criteria, and complex rigging integration; the structure supports a building that behaves more like an adaptable device than a static hall.
See Together
Buildings that pair well with Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre — they're nearby or share a compelling architectural conversation.
More by Rem Koolhaas
View all →
Kunsthal
Guggenheim Hermitage Museum
Seattle Central Library
Leeum Museum of Art
Seoul National University Museum of Art
Garage Museum of Contemporary Art
Nearby in Dallas
Annette Strauss Square
Margaret McDermott Bridge
Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House
Nasher Sculpture Center
Reunion Tower
Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre?+
Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre was designed by Rem Koolhaas and completed in 2009. It is located in Dallas, United States.
Where is Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre located?+
Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre is located in Dallas, United States. Its coordinates are 32.7899°, -96.7964°.
When was Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre built?+
Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre was completed in 2009. It was designed by Rem Koolhaas.
Can I visit Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre?+
Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre is a real building in Dallas that can be viewed from the outside. Check local information for interior access and visiting hours. Use the Parametric Atlas walking tour feature to plan a route that includes this building.