This Live-Work Design District Space is The Perfect Party House

It’s not often you see a single-story residential property with an MU-3 zoning classification (Multi-Use). But then again, 2292 Vantage is just west of the Anatole and a smidge further along I-35E in the Design-ish District. It’s at the end of a small street next to the un-glamourous tail of Turtle Creek and the Trinity Strand Bike Trail (nifty).

Like most semi-industrial property, there’s a lot of space, but unlike a lot of places in warehouse areas, not a gigantic amount. It’s a more practical 2,500 square feet with two bedrooms and two bathrooms listed for $699,995 with Paige Whiteside from Coldwell Banker Residential (also the property’s owner). Sure, you can work here, setup an office or showroom, but as you’ll see, whyyyyyyyy?

Very private, very quiet, very park-like. I remember a time when I’d have pulled out my checkbook for a home like this. I remember touring old fire stations to renovate in Chicago (as all gay boys do) and I even had my eye on a three-quarter acre parcel in the Design District – 25 years before I moved here!

What makes this property great is the mix. It’s industrial, but it’s very residential with a pool, grassy backyard, and borders Turtle Creek. It’s for someone who wants to be near everything but with ghost town emptiness in the evenings and weekends.

As I said, if you work in the Medical District or anywhere in the Design District, you could almost walk to work. If you’re a Trinity Groves foodie, you’re two blocks from Sylvan, which will deliver you to its doorstep. If you need a gym, the Verandah Club is literally a block away. Sure, you share a block with Texas Hardwood Flooring and Southwest Sanitary, but you also have Smith Limousine and Pegasus City Brewing (who you’ll definitely want to make friends with).

Pulling up to the front gives nothing away. There’s a plain door and a garage door with a few parking spaces out front. Beyond you can see the carport and there’s a two-car garage accessed from the rear of the building. The second indent you see is the pool that all faces the bike trail and Turtle Creek.

Once you get inside, you’re in the large living, dining, and kitchen room. The wall of windows in the lead picture is in back of the photographer. This picture looks a little washed out because of the light pouring into the space. Also note the ceiling height. Being a commercial building, they’re HIGH.

Before you ask, yes, that’s natural stone on the counters. I know, it’s eerily straight lines seem unnatural, but nope. As you can see, it’s got all the mod-cons. With all the parties I’d want to throw, I might need to slap a big wine fridge next to the orchid (those two bottles next to the stove are never gonna cut it).   Bonus points to who also noticed the number of drawers. That one lower cabinet at right is the only lower that’s not a drawer (I like drawers).

The living room has plenty of volume to feel both homey and wide-open for entertaining. With the kitchen and dining room part of the same space plus the pool steps away, weekend pool parties are yours to throw. Note: you either like the white/gray palette or not. But that’s paint and furniture.)

Speaking of the pool, it’s a secret oasis in the Design District. Yes, that’s a poolside fireplace you see. The fence to the right is see-through, providing an expansive view. In summer, you can watch the sweat-stained cyclists on the trail as you splash around, inciting envy.

Beyond the pool deck, there’s another garage space that would be perfect for an outdoor kitchen, ice house, or garage band space for summer parties. (Yes, I know I’ve been talking a lot about being festive in this house, but it fairly begs for friends to come over.) And being in the Design District, no one’s going to complain about a weekend blowout.

This is what I mean by a see-thru fence. The lot has a point (because of the curve of Turtle Creek) that is also what gives this end-unit its outdoors. The top pic is taken from the back of the house where you can see the secondary garage entrance (you can fit a lot of cars at this house).

One of the two bathrooms is pure residential. Marble, wood, and granite along with a vessel bathtub. To the right is a walk-in shower. You can just make out the top of the marble, which at nine feet tall, gives a hint at the tallness of the ceilings.

The second bath is more my style, with a crisper, more modern feel. It’s also got a large window opposite the bathtub and walk-in shower. Heck, you’re at the end of a block, why the window shade?  Let’r all hang out!

With a 2,500-square-foot, two-bedroom home, you knew the closets had to be large. This pic lets you know your clothes won’t feel short-changed on space either. And yes, finally a listing that shows a man’s well turned-out closet.

All in all, this is a fun house that’s also a livable home. If it were a ranch house on the other side of Stemmons, no one would think twice, but for a space like this, I urge you to. How cool to live here with a bike trail just outside the fence?  About the only thing I might do is build a roof deck, then those legendary parties would be looking slap into Dallas’ night skyline.

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Remember:  High-rises, HOAs and renovation are my beat. But I also appreciate modern and historical architecture balanced against the YIMBY movement. In 2016, 2017 and 2018, the National Association of Real Estate Editors recognized my writing with three Bronze (2016, 2017, 2018) and two Silver (2016, 2017) awards.  Have a story to tell or a marriage proposal to make?  Shoot me an email [email protected]. Be sure to look for me on Facebook and Twitter. You won’t find me, but you’re welcome to look.