The Renaissance of Greenway Parks

Share News:

Greenway Parks has earned acclaim from architects and loyalty from its residents. Allie Beth Allman Realtor Maribeth Peters explains why.

Greenway Parks is one of those neighborhoods you never want to leave, and frankly that’s why it can be challenging to find a home here. With approximately 300 houses, which are often passed down from one generation to the next, it’s often hard for a newcomer to get a foot in the proverbial door.

The neighborhood is full of architecturally significant homes in every imaginable style, from Charles Dilbeck’s Spanish Eclectic to Max Levy’s cutting-edge modernist.

Greenway Parks is one of the most popular neighborhoods in Dallas, and it is going through a major transformation right now,” Maribeth Peters of Allie Beth Allman & Associates said. “This renaissance consists of new construction and major remodeling of existing historic homes. Since Greenway Parks was designated a Conservation District in 2003, all architectural plans must be reviewed by the city, but that has not slowed the neighborhood evolution.”

When people are lucky enough to find an existing home here, it’s generally going to undergo some remodeling. A home Peters sold in August on a signature greenbelt lot was one of the first built in Greenway Parks. There’s even a Dallas Morning News advertisement from 1927 featured on the neighborhood website that shows this same home as a Greenway Parks Demonstration (Model) Home.

5527 Waneta sold for $2.2 million

While it maintains its historic details on the outside, a comprehensive facelift is happening within.

“The buyer is doing a meticulous remodel and is keeping the style and charm of the original house,” Peters said. “It’s a Spanish Revival style, reminiscent of Highland Park Village, and sits on one of the largest greenbelt lots at almost half an acre.”

Now, what if you can’t find a fabulous existing Charles Dilbeck, O’Neil Ford, or Howard Meyer-designed home? If you have patience and insider knowledge — aka Peters phone number — you might score a property perfectly suited for your new dream home.  

“Five homes are in the process of being built, with four completed in the past year, Peters said.  “One of the last Frank Welch-designed homes is on Wenonah Drive with 8,700 square feet, a floating staircase, and spectacular walls of glass. Many of the homes in Greenway Parks sell as hip pocket listings, and this house sold in a private sale in 2016.”

Insider knowledge is a must if you want to build big. For instance, one neighbor has amassed three consecutive lots on Neola Drive. They already live in the neighborhood, so they can easily oversee their stunning new contemporary home. Peters tells us this is pretty common. Neighbors want to stay in Greenway Parks but want current, new amenities, so they just bide their time and wait on a teardown so they can build that big beautiful new home.

Peters has listed an exceptional, transitional home custom built in 2014 by prestigious Provenance Builders with the highest level of finish-out, situated on a .44 of an acre, 102 x 180-foot lot. The hard-to-find, first- floor master suite has a luxurious marble bath, two large walk-in closets, and the house has four living areas, including a spacious game room and study. In all, 5316 Wateka has over 6,200 square feet and is offered at $2.825 million.

5316 Wateka listed at $2.825

Despite a lot of homes being hip pocket sales, you can still find great deals. Remember the price of land here is at an all-time high. It’s not unusual to see a lot go for $1.5 million or more. Peters has another listing next door on Wateka that is a rare one-story on one of the largest lots in Greenway Parks.

“It’s on .65 of an acre — 150 x 182 feet — which is almost double the size of an average lot in Greenway Parks,” Peters said. “It’s a beautiful candidate for a remodel or an impressive building site. The backyard and trees are some of the finest in the entire neighborhood, and the landscape provides the ultimate in privacy. The vast majority of neighborhood homes are two stories, so this is a rare one-story, and many buyers would love this floor plan. This amazing property is offered at $2.27 million.”

5322 Wateka listed at $2.27 million.

“In 2002, the Texas Society of Architects named Greenway Parks one of Texas’ 25 Best Places, an honor bestowed on only three locations in Dallas and on only four residential developments in the entire state,” Peters said. And she should know. She is the go-to resource for everything you’d ever want to know about Greenway Parks, and better yet, she’s the go-to Realtor for the neighborhood. Peters has been named “Best Realtor of Dallas” for 13 years in a row by D Magazine. She lives in Greenway Parks, so she always has the inside skinny on what’s about to hit the market, and she also has a front-row seat on the Greenway Parks renaissance.

If you long for a tight-knit, friendly neighborhood that has been one of the most desirable places to live in Dallas since it was founded, give Peters a call and have her keep an eye out for you. She would also be delighted to show you her two listings on tree-lined Wateka Drive.

Karen is a senior columnist at Candy’s Media and has been writing stories since she could hold a crayon. She is a globe-trotting, history-loving eternal optimist who would find it impossible to live well without dogs, Tex-Mex, and dark chocolate. She covers luxury properties and historic preservation for Candys Dirt.

Leave a Comment