Grab The Balloons, Eat Some Cake, And Tour These Open Houses as Plano Celebrates 150 Years

Happy birthday to Plano!

Saturday, the North Texas suburb celebrated its 150^th birthday … or maybe it was an anniversary. When the official celebration called for cupcakes, games, and balloons, it had all the signs of a real birthday party, of course. Those were the critical parts of last Saturday’s city festivities at Haggard Park.

More than 150 years ago, Plano was almost called Fillmore, after President Millard Fillmore, according to the Texas State Historical Society. Instead, Plano, the name which Dr. Henry Dye suggested, was chosen because it was understood to be Spanish for “flat” or “plain.” Has anyone noticed if that describes Plano’s terrain?

In 1873, Plano was incorporated and a mayor elected, and in 2023, the city boasts a population of almost 300,000. The public school system was established in 1891, and now the Plano Independent School District maintains top ratings year after year, with strong schools for its 49,000-plus students.

Today, the Collin County city continues to thrive. Plano’s major businesses include Bank of America, Ericsson, FedEx Office, Frito-Lay, Capital One, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Intuit, PepsiCo, and Pizza Hut, U.S. With that kind of background, an array of housing choices is available there, including the traditional and the unusual. This week we pinpoint several with open houses.

2804 Amesbury Drive, Plano

So, celebrating Plano’s 150th would be fantastic in this Willow Bend West home located on Gleneagles Golf Course.

For entertaining, let’s begin in the backyard, which is easy since the living room’s French doors lead there. The covered patio overlooks the pool and spa. Inside, guests can be happy with the upstairs game room, complete with a balcony and views of the lake.

This house, priced at $1.525 million, has plenty to celebrate itself. Two of its bedrooms are downstairs, with two more upstairs. The downstairs primary bedroom suite features a sitting area with views of both the pool and the nearby golf course, double vanities, a walk-in closet, plus a cedar closet.

Other amenities in this beautiful home are walls of windows, a kitchen with a walk-in pantry, a breakfast bar, and a wet bar with a wine fridge, too. The living room includes a wood-burning fireplace, and the refined study features a wood-beamed ceiling.

This home, listed by Cindy O’Gorman with Ebby Halliday Realtors, will be held open from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.

5908 Glen Heather Drive, Plano

In this home, inviting guests for a big party to celebrate Plano’s 150th anniversary is an easy ask. Your company can easily stay over because there are two bedrooms downstairs. The house’s 3,500 square feet consists of four bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths in Plano’s Glen Heather neighborhood. The mature landscaping is a bonus for this home.

Hand-scraped hardwood floors and tall ceilings give this traditional house, built in 1989, a refreshed feeling. Two gas fireplaces add coziness for the winter months, and a grand staircase adds elegance. Modern touches? There are plenty. The glamorous bathroom now features a spa shower and a sparkling chandelier, while the kitchen boasts granite countertops and a stacked stone bar area.

For Plano parties or just a relaxing evening with family, check out the game room or the backyard, large enough for a game of croquet or even to add a pool. The house is listed for $879,800.

Dena Malasek with Monument Realty will hold this house open from noon to 3 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.

3309 Darion Lane, Plano

Mature trees highlight the curb appeal of this house that was built in 1983 on a large, landscaped lot. With three bedrooms and two baths in its 2,016 square feet, this one-story house is found in the Preston Meadow subdivision with a listing price of $525,000.

The traditional home’s wood floors lead into a house focused on a brick fireplace, vaulted ceilings, custom wainscoting, and two living areas. The kitchen’s been updated with quartz countertops, a custom backsplash, and stainless steel appliances.

The primary bedroom features space for a sitting area, and the primary bathroom is highlighted by dual sinks, an oversized shower, and a walk-in closet. The backyard, accessible from either living area, features a covered patio and enough space to continue Plano’s anniversary celebration with plenty of outdoor games and parties.

Listed by Taylor Robertson with Fathom Realty, this home will be held open from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday.