This Victorian Mansion in The State Thomas Historic District Has a Secret Wine Cellar

Maybe it’s my passion for preservation as a freshman board member of Preservation Dallas. Maybe it’s because I spent Saturday at Aldredge House (circa 1917) over on the other side of town on Swiss Avenue, another pocket of historical Dallas homes still standing. I love homes that can give us a glimpse of our city’s personality and spirit at the turn of the century. I’ve got my eye out for historic listings that are well-preserved anywhere in North Texas. Some of the best of them are in the State Thomas Historic District.

And while it’s important to document and designate these properties, here is a rare chance to actually live in one smack in the heart of one of the most incredible historic districts in Dallas — State Thomas.

State Thomas Historic District

The State Thomas Historic District holds the city’s largest collection of Victorian-era homes. They were built by the affluent in the late 19th century. State Thomas is essentially the predecessor to Highland Park — the neighborhood began first as a Freedman’s Town, settled by formerly enslaved families shortly after the Civil War.

Neighborhoods evolve thanks to technology, which in this case was the railroad. The population began to surge in the late 1800s and many beautiful mansions were built. By the turn of the century, State Thomas was a thriving African American community. That was until Central Expressway cut a swath through the neighborhood.

According to the listing agents, many State Thomas homes fell into disrepair after the wealthy families picked up and moved further north to areas such as Highland Park. But in 1986, State Thomas became a protected historic district. The goal was to preserve the once magnificent homes as much as possible, but many had to turn to commercial zoning to survive.

In its past, Dallas was not exactly a city of preservation zealots.

But 2315 Routh Street was saved thanks to her residential/commercial zoning, which would come in very handy 121 years later.

“It is zoned either residential or commercial, and can be a hybrid so that it’s a live-work space,” says Trey Bounds with Allie Beth Allman, who is co-listing the property with Kyle Crews. “Whoever thought, 40 years ago, that a commercial designation would make this home so attractive as the nation turned to a work-from-home mode?”

The home has two bedrooms, two full and two half baths, 2,911 square feet in all plus a whole second floor of office spaces, a full bath, and a utility room. You can run an entire business and live at 2315 Routh Street. But the agents point out that could easily change, transforming the second floor into a magnificent primary suite complete with spa bath and a downtown-facing sunroom (or nursery) with access to the picturesque upstairs balcony.

“Put rocking chairs out there on that balcony and a table with lemonade,” Bounds says. “This home would not be out of place in a town like New Orleans or Shreveport.” 

The current primary bedroom is up on the third floor in a converted attic with a full en-suite bath, plus French doors to another small balcony.

In State Thomas, Character With a Capital ‘C’

The home at 2315 Routh was completely remodeled in 2007, retaining many of its original features. One such example is the expansive use of the original wide-plank oak floors throughout the house. Windows were updated and glass replaced, but many originals were kept, including transom windows. The house is loaded with character, from the center hall staircase to all three levels to the expansive front porch.

The first floor holds the library/office plus a seriously loaded gourmet kitchen with an open floorplan, Sub-Zero fridge, farmhouse sink, and cast-iron AGA stove. From the kitchen, says Bounds, you have access to a sitting area and the dining room. If you pull the handle by the dining room’s built-in bookshelves, a door swings open to the basement’s wine cellar.

“The wine cellar was designed to be an entertainment area more than anything,” Bounds says.

In the cellar, you’ll find a fireplace, bottle storage, and a stunning barrel-arched, hand-bricked ceiling. 

Completing the first floor is a half bath, dining room, and den.

A Shotgun House on The Property

There is a separate building, once a “shotgun house,” with two rooms and one full bath. There are four gated parking spaces and a lush backyard for entertaining and relaxing.

The proximity is priceless: Eight minutes to the Katy Trail, proximate to West Village, minutes to the Uptown/Downtown trolley, and five minutes to McKinney Avenue.

“This property is a rare find,” says Crews. “It is ideally located in the State Thomas Historic District of Uptown Dallas and is zoned for either residential or commercial use. It simply exudes historic charm — but was fully renovated in 2007 to include all the modern conveniences”

Trey Bounds and Kyle Crews, both of the Allie Beth Allman Urban Team, have 2315 Routh listed for $1.9 million.