Historic Oak Cliff Home Benefits From Architecturally Sensitive Remodel

Though it sat unchanged and rather unremarkable for years, 1001 Turner Avenue never lost its vintage charm. It just needed a skilled person with a vision to bring it back to its splendor. Built in 1925, this two-story traditional in the sought-after Kessler Highlands neighborhood has so much personality and character. Now it really shines, thanks to a buyer with great sense and vision.

The transformation from hodge-podge to sleek and beautiful has earned it the title of High Caliber Home of the Week, that’s for sure. If you have your heart set on this home, I sadly report that it’s already under contract, though it wouldn’t hurt if you went ahead and called Lisa Peters at Caliber Home Loans to get pre-approved and ready to put in your highest and best offer should the deal fall through.

Jump to see what this home looked like before its stylish transformation!

“The current owner bought it and had it professionally remodeled,” said David Griffin, who is listing 1001 Turner Ave. for $659,500. “The intent of the remodel was to keep what was great about the house … but improve what wasn’t so great.”

Things that fell into the “not so great” category included the windows and walls that enclosed the home’s side porch and the detached garage with second-floor apartment. I can’t say I miss them, because the home definitely looks a lot better without them.

“The house looks exactly the way it did from the street 80 years ago,” Griffin said.

 

“The seller, who lives in the neighborhood, came across this wonderful opportunity to put his stamp on a property,” Griffin said. “That’s a great thing for a future owner, knowing that the person who remodeled the house lives in the neighborhood. It’s not one of those things where someone sweeps in, remodels a home, and you never hear from them again.”

On the outside, the landscaping was pared back and the windows were all replaced with new historically relevant, wooden, divided-light windows. From the curb, it definitely looks more like it fits in Kessler Highlands.

“It’s a conservation district,” Griffin added, “so you have to abide by the architectural standards.”

Inside, the home got a facelift that enhanced the flow between rooms downstairs. The original staircase was restored and repainted, and the original floors have been refinished.

You’ll notice, however, that the bright white paint, marble fireplace, gray and stainless steel kitchen, and recessed lighting all give the home a decidedly contemporary air. That’s intentional, says Griffin.

“Modernist architects look to keep everything that it worth preserving, but instead of using more traditional finishes in a remodel, they use modern shapes and materials,” he said. “There’s a dialog with the two styles — one informs the other. The decisions are made considering the historic architecture, with improvements that are meant to complement that.”

That rings true in the upstairs portion of this three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath, 2,428-square-foot home, especially in the master suite. The penny-tile floor, traditional vanity, and Shaker-style cabinetry are the perfect foil for the Waterworks freestanding tub, marble tile shower, and frameless glass doors.

Of course, the renovation also improved the space upstairs, adding closet space, improving the flow of natural light, and embracing modern lines with materials that will never go out of style.

“Nobody wants to go back to 1920s closets. Nobody thinks that a 1925 bathroom is going to work today,” Griffin said. “But this bathroom does have classic materials such as marble.”

It’s this embrace of the past with an eye to the future that makes this stunning renovation worthy of recognition. Bravo!