Young Rehabbers Rock Near South Side

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Near South Side

The Near South Side revival is not only being fueled by a hefty half billion dollar commitment of city funds alone, though that isn’t hurting. There is a dynamic energy here that is youthful and passionate. It is evident in the variety of mod and imaginative eateries and bars on once dodgy Magnolia Avenue, and in the apparently insatiable appetite for renovating and rehabbing in Fairmount. This intact, inner city, hood remained single family zoned when other municipalities were panicking and sanctioning the construction of poor quality, multi family housing, to bolster tax revenues.

Into this heady environment, enter the truly dynamic duo of Jamey Ice and Jimmy Williams. Friends since Paschal High School days, they are pure Fort Worth though they couldn’t be more different. Jamey is lead man for the rock band, Green River Ordinance, while Jimmy is a detective with the Fort Worth Police Department. They and their families live across the street from one another on 6th Avenue, hence the name of their burgeoning real estate and rehab venture, 6th Ave Homes

Formed in 2013, they have already undertaken the renovation and resale of over 30 projects.

“We had both flipped our own homes a few times and had helped friends find, buy and rehab their own fixer uppers, so we thought why not do it together as a side project?” Says Jamey, explaining the genesis of the enterprise.

Near South Side

Not content to play it safe like most flippers, who go neutral in the hope of casting a wider buyers’ net, these two revel in the unexpected or “funky interesting” as Jamey defines their style.

“We love to play outside the lines and salvage and repurpose old things”, he explains.

Near South Side

“We like to tear out the sheet rock and expose the shiplap.” he adds. Indeed, they seem to savor natural materials and revel in underlying structures. It’s almost as if they remove the pall over a long dormant sleeper and infuse it with new life.

Near South Side

The effect of their edgy approach is rich in contrasts, balancing rustic and urban, and the simple and sophisticated, as witnessed in this Allen Avenue reno.

Near South Side

A rework of the bath that saves the original tub but adds trendy, Mexican cement tiles and a custom vanity fashioned from a vintage table, seem appropriate for the early 20th Century craftsman but also up to date.

Near South Side

A rather drear little number, on College Avenue, abutting  Magnolia benefits from all of the partners’ acquired skills, imagination, and finesse.

Near South Side

A bold color palette and attractive landscape rejuvenate the cottage, now being leased by an advertising agency.Near South Side

The dining room epitomizes the 6th Ave Homes aesthetic. Painted shiplap, corrugated tin, peeled from a shed, and industrial light fixtures combine to produce a surprisingly tranquil ambiance.

Near South Side

And what compliments exposed brick more than exposed ductwork? The original floors with all of their dings and imperfections are retained and celebrated in a natural finish which look unfinished. Contrasts again. The feeling is at the same time both industrial and romantic.

Near South Side

Not content to travel with a band, renovate and flip houses at the rate of 10 a year, Jamey is also a partner in  Brewed. A boutique, local beer bar, and eatery, Brewed, has flourished in the competitive Magnolia Avenue milieu. The 6th Ave boys  are also at work on an 18,000 square foot warehouse space, on South Main Street which will house restaurant, retail and event spaces.

Near South Side

House number number 31. Jamey Ice and Jimmy Williams seem positively gleeful and champing at the bit to take on yet another ailing, old house and give it a second life.

“Who is the market for your projects?” I ask.

“Millennials”, he says without hesitation. “We get an average of one request a day through social media for one of our houses”, he adds.

In fact, the team now offers a generous finder’s fee to anyone who brings them a viable reno.

And with their unique style, youthful energy and good looks, and beautiful families, can a cable show be far behind? Having recently signed a contract with an agency,  look for a fresh and entertaining take on the house rehab show. Coming soon to a  a TV channel near you.

Eric Prokesh is an interior designer whose work has appeared on HGTV, and in books and publications including D Home, Southern Accents, House Beautiful, and House and Garden. In January 2005, HG named Eric one of the 50 tastemakers in America and D Home has included him as one of Dallas’ Best Designers for 10 years. Having lived most of his life in Dallas, he now calls Fort Worth home and is one of our experts on beautiful Fort Worth Dirt

 

Eric Prokesh is an award-winning interior designer who calls Fort Worth his home.

2 Comments

  1. B Kersey on September 10, 2016 at 11:20 pm

    The top photo is of my childhood home. It was in our family for 40 years. We were all sad to see it go but thrilled that it is being restored to a grand new life”

    • Eric Prokesh on September 11, 2016 at 1:22 pm

      What a lovely old Victorian lady
      Eager to see what these guys do with her.

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