Lobello Estates Hit Hard by Sunday’s Tornadoes in North Dallas
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I’m still unable to get into the area, but I continue to get reports that Lobello Estates, home to some of the area’s most expensive and expansive homes, was hit particularly hard during Sunday’s storms.
A friend who lives on Lobello Drive sent me these photos of her natatorium.
“Large anodized aluminum beams still standing, all glass blown out,” she texted. “I’d say half our home is damaged. We were just approved this morning by insurance to get a long term rental so that will make it easy to just move directly from home to another place while we rebuild.”
Lobello Estates is bordered by Royal Lane on the north, Inwood Road on the west, Yolanda on the south, and Netherlands on the east, which then edges to the Dallas North Tollway (which was once a railroad).
5431 Ursula listed with Ryan Streiff for $4,495,000
Most of the lots are at least one acre and heavily wooded. I remember my first impression of the area in the 80s: huge, sprawling ranch homes with elegant and luxurious finish outs. Lobello Estates was the kind of neighborhood my parents would have loved. Many of the homes were built in the 1960s by Sam Lobello, Sr. and his son. Sam Lobello was among the original landowners and builders of Preston Center.
Lobello, a Dallas restaurateur named Sam Ventura Sr., and another named J.T. Piranio bought land from the McCraw family that became the Preston Center we know today. Surely you have seen the Lobello Building?
Then he ventured north:
Lobello’s father began building houses in the area, then considered to be in the country. The Lobello family opened a 200-acre addition of open fields and quickly made a $250,000 profit in speculation.
They also had a barbecue stand right where Berkshire Court is today. Lobello Estates homes were designed and built by well-known architects, extensively remodelled, and then scraped to make way for large estate properties, many in the 8,000 to 12,000 square foot range. Like this one on Ursula.
I’m hearing that nine homes on Ursula are total losses. Many others will require extensive re-building, like my friend’s. And these are well-built homes by prominent builders.
But the best builders in Dallas are no match for an F-3 tornado, all nine of them.
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Candy,
I’m David Kleiman at 5531 Ursula. As you describe, our area was hit really hard. My home held up well but the yard and windows aren’t in good shape. Some homes on Ursula are just devastated including 2 directly across the street. No one I know of was hurt. The amount of fabulous trees lost through the neighborhood is really sad.
David, so sorry to hear. Let us know if there is anything we can do to help.
Thank you Candy. I’m fine. No one was hurt and many people have it much worse.
David
Lobello, a Dallas restaurateur named Sam Ventura Sr., and another named J.T. Piranio bought land from the McCraw family that became the Preston Center we know today. Surely you have seen the Lobello Building?
Miller McCraw was married to my great grandmother’s sister, Beryl Houghton McCraw. Tealwood Square is where the homestead once sat for the farm which crossed the railroad now DNT. Beryl and my great grandmother, Nettie Houghton McBride, were born in Georgetown TX. Their father once practiced law with General Sam Houston. Guess you could say I am a Texan. Great article and excellent coverage on this sad story Candy. xoxo