Best of 2020: A Timeless Split Level With a Trammell Crow History Lesson

 [Editor’s Note: This year has been a decade, right? So many things happened, lots of things were postponed, and houses continued to sell despite it all. While the CandysDirt.com team takes a hot minute this holiday season to recharge the ol’ Energizers, we’re serving up our very favorite stories from 2020. Enjoy!]

Nikki: There’s so much to love about this house. The design. The backstory. The Realtor. Seriously, sometimes you hit upon an agent that’s so pleasant it’s hard to hang up the phone. Or hit “end call.” Whatever. That was the case with 9755 Van Dyke and ReMax’s Barbara Reeves. She knew everything about this property. Who owned it, who lived next door, where they traveled…right down to where the rocks came from.

Over in East Dallas, there’s a road that backs to Norbuck Park. It’s a gem, obviously because hello, no neighbors behind you. There’s one home on that street that actually has Norbuck Park on the side as well. And that super special house is 9755 Van Dyke Road. 

As for how it’s super special well a.) it already has an offer, b.) just look at it and c.) here comes your history lesson.

It’s rumored to have been built by Trammell Crow for his parents and his sister. Trammell Crow, obviously an incredibly well-known and well-respected real estate developer. Now get this, right next door at 9747 Van Dyke Road lived another builder, Charles Ladenberger. Anyway, Ladenberger practically built half of Lake Highlands and it’s said the L Streets were named after him. I’m guessing because he’s an ‘L” and someone said, “Oh, hey, that’d be a nice way to pay homage – alphabetically.”

Anyway, the two families – both in the biz or biz adjacent – travelled together and apparently went to Colorado frequently. Crow’s sister collected rocks and those rocks can still be found in the garden today. Or so the story goes. 

Okay, rocks in the garden aren’t an original architectural detail, but the tile inside, the wood paneling and exposed brick certainly are. There’s a lot of character in this multi-level home and even from the pictures you totally get the warm, inviting, come sit down and stay awhile vibe. 

The trick here is where to sit. There are three living areas inside including one ReMax’s Barbara Reeves calls a living hall that’s ten feet wide with a wall of glass on one side. It opens up to another living area that’s 22-feet wide and surrounded by walls of windows on all sides. 

The windows overlook the heavily-treed half acre this home sits on. And while we’re on the topic of views, Reeves also pointed out that right out your front door, on a good day, you have views of White Rock Lake and Downtown Dallas.  

Also outside? The fourth living area known as one of the most amazing screened in patios we’ve ever seen. Yeah, that room with all the rugs and the super modern gas fireplace? That’s a patio. 

There’s also a basement with a half bath, utility room and walk out art studio. And let’s not make light of the many, many levels. Reeves says it adds to the fun of the home and seems like every where you look, you find something new. 

Barbara Reeves listed 9755 Van Dyke for $899,000 in September 2020.