Knox-Henderson Living Made Easy in This Modern on Madera

 

Neighborhoods all along the North Central Expressway corridor are seeing resurgence and reinvestment in a very big way. Long neglected areas, once full of ramshackle and run down houses, are becoming a land of opportunity in the realm of urban infill for developers and architects. It is fascinating to watch the changing landscape, and though it’s sad to lose the cultural value of older homes, it’s heartening to see builders invest in interesting, engaging design. It allows a generation to put a stamp on the area, and sometimes to great results. 

Today’s High Caliber Home of the Week presented by Lisa Peters of Caliber Home Loans is an example of what’s great about modern design. With clean lines and a contemporary facade, 2215 Madera adds something different to the neighborhood landscape of Knox-Henderson. It’s a fabulous listing from Virginia Cook Realtor Ed Murchison. 

Polished concrete floors, huge banks of Anderson windows, and sleek museum-finish walls carry through this custom-built modern home by ParmaDesign, the same architectural firm behind the Digit 1919 apartments in the Cedars. The firm, founded in 2004, is known for its modern aesthetic that includes sloping midcentury-inspired rooflines above stucco and stone. This home is interesting, with its almost shou sugi ban-like track of dark wood paneling on the exterior. Inside, the contrast wanes, with double-height ceilings in the living room and tons of white walls ready for you to adorn with art and plenty of natural light by which to illuminate it.

The two-story home totals three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and 2,840 square feet. though the house looms large on the .172-acre lot, there’s still plenty of grassy backyard — a large enough space for a pool with room to spare. Murchison has priced the brand new build at $895,000, which comes out to $315 per square foot. For me, I see the the real money in the kitchen, which has an enormous eat-in island that is perfect for casual dinner parties (the best kind, really). I love to cook, and while my kitchen is completely cut off from my living and dining room in my post-war traditional home, I find the openness of this kitted out commissary absolutely intoxicating. 

The huge Wolf range is in the perfect spot — forming a tight triangle between the sink and the refrigerator nook — and centered under a beautiful commercial-grade vent hood. Beveled subway tile offers a classic backdrop. the dishwasher and wine refrigerator are mounted in the island, and there’s tons of well-lit prep space thanks to the gobs of quartz counters.

All three bedrooms are on the second floor, with a master bedroom that faces the backyard, complete with huge picture windows and its own balcony. The bathrooms, Murchison points out, have sleek, modern fixtures and finishes. In the master, you get a huge five-piece lavatory that gets a little extra light thanks to a clerestory window above the vanity. The freestanding vessel tub adds a little organic shape to the otherwise angular design.

While ParmaDesign has built a truly lovely home with tons of modern appeal, it’s the location that will maintain its value. The Knox-Henderson neighborhood offers some of the best restaurants and nightlife in the North Central Expressway corridor. You’re close to SMU and you’re a few minutes from downtown Dallas. It’s a great location in an increasingly walkable East Dallas. What’s not to love?