The Four R’s: REMODEL in The Claridge

This is part two in a four-part series. Read the first one here, and check back tomorrow for part three.

As part of our quad-fecta of Claridge listings celebrating the anniversary of our Staff Meeting events on March 22nd, we have unit 5D, another listing from Allie Beth Allman’s Sue Krider. This unit moves down the hall from last column’s 7E offering similar straight-on Turtle Creek and downtown Dallas views (albeit two floors lower).

Unit 5D offers an expansive 3,049 square feet encompassing two bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms and a study. Priced at $1,474 million, there’s a lot to like about this home.

Like all units in the Claridge, buyers get grand double-door entryways that help to accommodate larger furniture, art and construction materials. In this entry, a classic marble pattern greets you. (I like the painting over the settee)

Even with the beautiful wide plank wood floors the neutral palate sets up the living room as the backdrop to the views – as it should be in a high-rise! The wrap around corner is actually an enclosed balcony which you know I usually hate. The Claridge is the only building in Dallas where I think balcony enclosures work and make sense. The sweep of the wall is just perfect.

I call this home a remodel because this room is a blank slate, ready for whatever taste a new buyer would want; be that traditional, transitional or modern.

The dining room is well-proportioned and tucked off the living room. Its dramatic windows look straight up Lemmon Avenue to mesmerize diners should conversation fail. At sunset, the room is enrobed in the yellow, orange and red palate of the gasping daylight sky.

Like all the living spaces, the window coverings are minimal to seize the view.

The kitchen is dated with some new appliances. Because the dining room doesn’t share a wall with the kitchen, I could go either way on opening the wall to the living room. As always, open concept depends on how you live and entertain. If pushed, I might open part of the wall to give a more free flow for entertaining while maintaining some of the “mystery” of the kitchen. Either way, there’s lots of space to create the (overused) “dream kitchen.”

Like 7E, this unit maintains one of its balconies off the master bedroom to provide some outdoor space for morning coffee or for me, an herb garden.

I like the master bedroom so much, I’d write the furniture into the contract! It has all the peace, tranquility and other calming words I’d ever need. Very swanky hotel feeling.

Like other units, the bathrooms may not need a complete gut. Simply pruning the mirrors and removing the acre of brass hardware and trim would go a long way to bringing them back to life. After all, there’s a lot of Carrera marble which is quite in vogue these days.

The “his” side of the master bath has a great oversized walk-in shower with a bench. And again, all Carrera marble. The brass is what dates this room. Maaaaybe if I were feeling sledgehammer-y, I’d knock down the stub wall to vanity-height to make the room feel even larger.

I’m all over having an office with a view. With great built-ins and flooring, I wouldn’t touch a thing – except to open the shades (but only after work was done or I’d be quite distracted!).

I’ve classed unit 5D as a remodel because there’s potentially a lot less work than a complete gut. The kitchen is probably the biggest expense unless a buyer would want to gut the bathrooms as well. But I think just ditching the bathroom brass would suffice to renew their look. Like every unit in the Claridge, 5D will make someone a very nice home.

 

Remember: Do you have an HOA story to tell? A little high-rise history? Realtors, want to feature a listing in need of renovation or one that’s complete with flying colors? How about hosting a Candy’s Dirt Staff Meeting? Shoot Jon an email. Marriage proposals accepted (they’re legal)! [email protected]