Nightmare Project Turned Real Estate Dream For $439K

Meet “The Bishop,” a hot new listing that real estate agent Alex Prins calls a “nightmare project turned into a dream from heaven!” Prins, of Alex Prins Real Estate, tells us the duplex near the heart of Bishop Arts District, has been abandoned for years, wrapped up in courts, fought over with architecture plans, had contractors quitting, and so much more. But now it has finally hit the market with new juju and a spectacular price. Where else can you get a meticulously updated, three-bedroom, two-bathroom duplex close to all things Bishop Arts for $439,000? Read on as we dish the dirt on this week’s Friday Four Hundred – a fantastic Dallas offering and real estate story you can’t afford to miss!

“’The Bishop’ is the second-biggest new construction project that I have been involved with in the past year,” says Prins. “Both in scope and headache. Yes, headache. Or perhaps nightmare! But there is always a silver lining.”

Prins is referring to 422 North Malborough Avenue – part of a duplex project that he was tasked with as Realtor, designer, and project manager. It sits at the corner of West Davis and North Malborough Avenue, now with a shiny new interior awaiting a hip, downtown buyer.

“The so called ‘eyesore’ on the hill has been abandoned for what seems like forever,” says Prins. “It was a started and stopped project that seemed like it would never blossom into its full potential. My investor bought 422 from another builder that had started the project and decided to sell for different reasons. So we thought this would be a quick reno job. We were wrong. There were unforeseen challenges involving The City of Dallas, permits, etc. So one month turned into two, into three, four, and as of recent, a year plus.” 

Sounds like a story we’ve heard before … keep going Alex, tell us more.

“Realtors alike in Bishop Arts all knew about the house on the hill that I spoke of when I told them I would be listing it. Everyone’s response was, ‘that thing’s been there forever!’ Someone even said five years! I beg to differ — that’s an exaggeration. Shy of about three years. Anyways, there was one challenge after the other, but we pushed on.”

The lesson? Never give up!

“My investor and builder wanted to make sure once we get through all the headache that this thing sells! Being on a corner it will be even more of a challenge. So they let me get my hands dirty. They let me pick out the stunning blue paint choice that’s in the kitchen, select tiles, design custom master bedroom built-ins, and more. I truly was involved throughout a large majority of the project. Now it’s ready for the market with my own imprint on it. And it’s more beautiful than ever!”

We can almost taste the sweat equity!

This home is custom from top to bottom. It comes complete with trendy blue cabinets, gorgeous wood floors, Carrara marble counters, floor-to-ceiling custom built-ins, tall ceilings, and a prime location that is walking distance to Bishop Arts. Minutes from downtown Dallas, Trinity Groves, and Stevens Park Golf Course, this modern 1,700-square-foot Craftsman affords luxury living for half the price.

And it’s made for young professionals.

“Ultimately we feel a young professional will want to buy it. So we tried to speak to them with our trendy design,” Prins adds. “Starting from the outside with Austin Stone and white paint. It also features a 500-square-foot covered rooftop deck, front driveway, and a built-in parking lot on the side. There is truly nothing quite like it. From the clouded history of it, to the final finished product. It truly was a labor of love. Now it looks like a dream.”

Now is your chance to make that dream, a home! Give Alex a call and tell him CandysDirt.com sent you. He would be more than happy to give you a tour.