Morgan Stanley’s Dallas plans are taking clearer shape as the investment banking giant moves ahead with work at Fountain Place. A city building permit shows plans to renovate 50,000 square feet on floors 19 and 20 of the downtown skyscraper, and the work is expected to cost $3.2 million. The permit matches a Tuesday filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. It refers to the project as “Project Blue,” while construction is expected to start in October and be finished by the end of November. HOK is listed as the design firm. Morgan Stanley previously signed a lease for 123,000 square feet at Fountain Place, and the downtown building is set to serve as a temporary base. The company would lease 255,000 square feet there while it waits for a new Uptown development. By 2031, Morgan Stanley is expected to occupy roughly 700,000 square feet at a $1.2 billion tower at McKinney Ave. The firm plans to invest nearly $97 million and bring 1,500 jobs to Fountain Place, while Dallas City Council approved an $18.5 million incentive package in June.
