Plum Spot in Hillcrest Addition Offers Value and Charm

Update: a reader tells us this house was the set for a movie filmed around 1994, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7V6CXYrqELk&t=3843s   But beware: the movie is R-rated! Whoa!

Ever on the look out for value in a desirable location here at CandysDirt.com, I stumbled onto a brand new listing on 2101 Western Avenue. By new, I mean listed yesterday new. As for location, the 1923 bungalow sits on a 6,700-square-foot corner lot in the Hillcrest subdivision of Arlington Heights, a few short blocks from Camp Bowie, near the museums and tonier West Side neighborhoods like Rivercrest and Westover. Not evident from the pictures, the exterior seems to have gotten a coat of new paint. Curvaceous planting beds add curb appeal.

Inside, hardwood floors gleam like a dance floor. The living room/dining room does look a bit like a shoe box, an effect which could be mitigated by the addition of some deft and inexpensive architectural details. Restoring built-in cabinets, which probably once flanked the fireplace, could add force and period detail to the end wall. Removal of the mirrors would also be a welcome improvement. There is so much potential here and my grousing is confined to easy cosmetic fixes. Also bear in mind that this 1,425-square-foot, three-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath charmer is being offered for $221 per square foot — a bargain for a plum location in this overheated housing market.

The kitchen has had a makeover — admittedly a bit generic but totally usable — with a gas cooktop, double oven, and plenty of cabinetry, which could be customized with a bespoke paint job.

One bedroom has attractive and valuable added storage, which can be a bit sparse in houses of this date.

The main bath has had an appealing re-think. The tub area has been retiled and plumbing hardware is in fashionable again brass. A skylight fills the space with natural light.

The spacious backyard has deck off the kitchen. An electric side gate leads to two covered parking spaces. If you want to take a gander at 2101 Western, there will be an open house this Sunday, Feb. 18, from 1 to 3 p.m. If you have any interest, I would move quickly. Can you say bidding war?

Angela Culpepper has priced 2101 Western Avenue for $315,000.

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.