Fort Worth Friday Flashback: Elizabeth Boulevard

Today is my birthday so I’m taking it easy and sticking close to home, very close to home.

I’m sticking to my own street, Elizabeth Boulevard, reviewing previous posts and taking the temperature of the market. I’ve lived on historic Elizabeth Boulevard for 10 years now and have seen a lot of changes. And never has there been as much activity as recently with four properties recently sold or about to come to market.

These distinguished 100-year-old residences have been snapped up by energetic young buyers with a track record for tastefully rehabbing older properties.

1521 Elizabeth Blvd.

This venerable villa sits on a graded lot approached by a flight of steps leading to a terrace, which gives the 3,700-square-foot, four-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath house a commanding presence.

Pleasing symmetry and a naively quaint Palladian motif perched above a curved overhang give the façade irresistible charm. On the National Register of Historic Places, 1521 Elizabeth Blvd. and its 1909-1920s neighbors are protected from demolition or capricious alteration.

This 1926 gem has much to edify us 90 years later, principally that openness and flow can coexist with partitioned purposed rooms. The large living room, anchored by strong chimney pieces, is flanked by symmetrically placed French windows opening to a side terrace. A smaller sitting room is open to both living room and a wet bar off the kitchen.

The kitchen is vast with an astonishing 35 feet of cabinets. Photography doesn’t reflect the recent upgrade of new stainless steel appliances. Banks of windows flood the room with light. In fact, this house is devoid of dark corners. An elevator at the bar would be handy for ferrying laundry or suitcases.

Wide Open Spaces

The feeling of airy openness is sustained upstairs. A spacious landing practically functions as a separate room with many opportunities to place furniture and seating. The four bedrooms are almost identical in generous scale and are served by two Jack-and-Jill baths frankly in need of an update.

Outdoor living spaces are an additional bonus, with pool and dining pavilion with a fireplace. Even the landscape with mature palm trees has a vintage appeal.

In a true Fort Worth Friday flashback Lisa Logan of League Real Estate has this listing for a second time. And what a difference seven years makes. Last time around 1523 Elizabeth Boulevard was listed at $589,000. It’s currently listed at $995,000 and is under contract.

1515 Elizabeth Blvd.

Coming soon is 1523 Elizabeth Blvd.’s next-door neighbor 1515 Elizabeth Blvd. Whisper price? $1.15 million, also to be listed by League Real Estate.

I attended the estate sale at this property at 1501 Elizabeth Blvd., motivated more by curiosity than to hunt for treasures, and wondered when the house would be put on the market.

To be honest, this dignified grande dame does require quite a bit of TLC to restore her to her former glory and I wondered if a combination of condition and the asking price would frighten buyers away. I needn’t have worried. Before there was even a sign in the yard, there were multiple offers over the asking price.

This venerable old house built in 1920 couldn’t have landed in more capable and energetic hands. Heather Teems of League Real Estate who has experience in renovating Ryan Place properties, has already begun a ground-up restoration to bring this property back to its former glory.

Emptied of its contents, one is left with only the architectural elements to contemplate and appreciate. The entrance foyer is bedecked with original fixtures, a French door with side lights, and transom windows that create an agreeable first impression and an atmosphere of cheerful airiness. An elegant sweeping staircase leads to the second floor.

Heather tells me that the drop acoustical ceiling has been removed and, indeed, it was only installed to accommodate the flourescent lighting. Work on the kitchen is already well underway.

There are four bedrooms, all on the second floor. The carpet has been removed and the original oak flooring was in excellent condition. There is an invitation to neighbors for an unveiling of the restored 1501 Elizabeth blvd. No Save the Date yet, for obvious reasons. I’ll keep you posted.

1023 Elizabeth Blvd.

At the other end of the street, one of the earliest houses on the boulevard, at 1023 Elizabeth. has come on the market — sort of.

It’s not on MLS, or on listing agent, Brian Holland’s Fort Worth Focused Real Estate page. Rumor has it that the property is under contract in a private sale for at least $1 million.

The exterior of this 1912 vintage house is Neo-Dutch eclectic. I had a look inside during the estate sale. Very grand indeed though untouched for at least 50 years and in desperate need of redecoration. The million-dollar price tag is actually a good deal as the house is over 5,000 square feet and the double lot is on one acre stretching to a corner making subdivision a tempting option.

Elsewhere, extensive renovations are underway in the 1100, 1200, and 1400 blocks as the neighborhood completes the transition from up and coming to fully arrived.

Eric Prokesh is an interior designer whose work has appeared on HGTV, and in books and publications including D Home, Southern Accents, House Beautiful, and House and Garden. In January 2005, HG named Eric one of the 50 tastemakers in America and D Home has included him as one of Dallas’ Best Designers for 10 years. Having lived most of his life in Dallas, he now calls Fort Worth home and is one of our experts on beautiful Fort Worth Dirt.