Charles A. Barnett’s Beautifully Updated Park Cities Manor House is a Success Story

This architecturally significant manor house is a win for the Park Cities. It offers an example of what is possible and what is quite frankly better in an era when we see lots being scraped left and right. It’s a joy for the eye to land on a classic historic home that has been saved from a wrecking ball and is beautifully updated.

Barnett Brothers Were Ahead of Their Time

In 1935, according to our favorite resource — Great American Suburbs, The Homes of the Park Cities, Dallas — speculative homes were the new trend.

The 1920s and early ‘30s were all about custom home building. However, around 1935, builders began the construction of multiple homes. Charles A. Barnett and his brother Marshall were among the most prolific. Charles built 64 homes and Marshall 31. But they didn’t just build. They drew the plans and elevations, so they were well ahead of the curve. His father, David Barnett, built the Dallas Municipal Building in 1914 and several homes in Munger Place.

“During the early 1930s, Barnett was active in University Park. Beginning in 1935, he focused his residential construction activities in the burgeoning subdivisions of Highland Park West, designing more than sixty residences during a five-year period. Particular concentrations of Barnett-designed and constructed houses can be found in the 4500 block of Arcady, where he built nine houses between 1935 and 1938, and the 4500 block of Belfort, where fourteen of his houses were built between 1936 and 1938.

Great American Suburbs: The Homes of the Park Cities, Dallas

Saving a Historic Manor House

This is the sort of history we lose when a historic property is razed. These historic homes provide the thread to our past and form a unique architectural heritage we should be honored to preserve. It does not mean we have to live in them as is. Of course, needs do change, and updates are necessary, but this home exemplifies that a complete tear-down is often unnecessary. It’s about giving an inch to gain a mile.

If a not entirely historically accurate addition is made, isn’t that better than losing history completely? We have to reach a middle ground, and anything that can be done to retain the homes that define our city is, in my opinion, a win. The additions and updates to this home perfectly suit a modern family while retaining its character and history.

Barnett was known for invoking the architectural elements of the Revival Movement. This residence has many English period manor house elements creating that attractive character that makes you feel so much at home. An expansion and addition seven years ago took the property to 5,994 square feet and resulted in the best of both worlds with every amenity a family craves — from a home gym, game room, and media room to separate guest quarters above the garage.

It’s unusual to find a historic property of this size that carries both historic significance and has been appropriately updated for modern living in such a great location.

Allie Beth Allman’s Kimberly Ashmore has 4543 Arcady Avenue listed for $4.95 million.