5 Things Realtor Bill Farrell Loves About His Beckley Club-Cedar Oaks Neighborhood
Share News:
If you wanted to call him Mr. Beckley Club Estates, you wouldn’t be wrong. But now you’re going to have to add a hyphen. Presenting Dave Perry-Miller’s Bill Farrell, Mr. Beckley Club Estates-Cedar Oaks.
Both are neighborhoods tucked in East Oak Cliff. Both will be bridged with the new deck park. They are similar yet different. And Farrell is really good in the way of explanations…
Beckley Club was established in the 1920s and 1930s. It was developed by Sidney Temple, who was also responsible for Kessler Square and Munger Place. What sets Beckley Club, specifically, apart from the rest of the city? Topography. There really isn’t any place like it. The hills, mature trees, free range peacocks, and creek delicately flowing through it all. It’s the little slice of “Am I even in the city?!?” you’ve been craving.
Then there’s Cedar Oaks which was developed more in the 1940s and 1950s. There’s less hubbub around Cedar Oaks, but that’s about to change. Since less is known about its origins, Farrell has taken it upon himself to start knocking on long-time residents’ doors and start compiling the history of this lovely subdivision while also creating a public-facing identity.
As for what Farrell loves about Beckley Club-Cedar Oaks? Obviously, it’s everything. But here’s an enumerated list of the most specific things.
Neighbors
This one always pops up so let’s just tackle this topic. The best neighborhoods draw the best neighbors, obviously. Farrell said he’s lived all over the city and in some neighborhoods, you feel like you’re on an island. That’s not the case here. Everyone is very respectful of one another’s personal space, but they’re also always there for each other. It’s a closeknit community and he can’t imagine living anywhere else. Farrell and his husband are currently living in their third home in the neighborhood. They just can’t seem to stray.
1. Location
Farrell said if you’re looking at Oak Cliff as a whole with Bishop Arts being at the center of it all, Beckley Club and Cedar Oaks are a very short four-minute drive. Downtown Dallas is the easiest commute as well. One thing he loves about Oak Cliff is the entrepreneurial spirit of the community. It’s filled with small businesses that the residents support. Farrell said he doesn’t really have to get in his car and go anywhere, he can pretty much find everything he’s looking for in the OC.
2. Shops and Restaurants
Elaborating on why he doesn’t have to leave his neighborhood, Farrell said DLM Supply is one of his favorite retailers. He said Deavon Moore has an incredible eye and stocks what the neighborhood is looking for. She started with menswear and has expanded to womenswear, childrens clothing, home and gifts. He said if there’s something you want that she doesn’t have, she can get it. That’s really what this neighborhood is all about – relationships. As for his favorite places to eat, he said he and his husband are still mourning the loss of Hattie’s, but their other go-to is Nova. Nova is THE locals spot. Farrell said it’s not uncommon to run into six neighbors over the course of any given meal. He said Nova is also staffed with residents, too. When you love Oak Cliff, you love it. As for home furnishings, Farrell said Atomic Home Supply on Jefferson is one of his favorites. There are tons of vintage items in his own home that he’s picked up at Atomic.
3. The History
As a Realtor and a homeowner, Farrell has always been drawn to older homes. Everyone loves a pretty home, but when it has a story to tell, Farrell can’t resist.
4. The Deck Park
It doesn’t fully exist yet, so I’m kind of winging it by making this one of Farrell’s favorite things, but he did have a lot of good information on the upcoming park. He said he’s definitely seen an increase in developers coming into the area. While some neighbors might mourn their secret little spot, most are very excited about what’s to come. Farrell said the deck park offers a space that doesn’t exist. There are parks all over Oak Cliff, but not one of this size. It can welcome more people, outdoor concerts and events. And once and for all, it will unite East and West Oak Cliff.
5. The Peacocks
Farrell said there are two competing legends on how the peacocks came to be. The first is that they escaped from the zoo. The one Farrell prefers, however, is that in the 1960s and 1970s one of the residents of Beckley Club owned all kinds of exotic birds – peacocks, guinea hens, etc. As the story goes, one day the owners up and moved and let loose their collection of feathered friends. Farrell said when you think about it, that’s over 50 years of free-roaming peacocks. Clearly they’ve decided to stay.
