‘Scary, Old Office Building’ Could Become Single-Family Homes in Lake Highlands
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What does one do with a dilapidated Lake Highlands office building in an area where empty nesters are demanding more homes for sale? They tear it down and build some homes.
A zoning application filed earlier this month revealed that Dallas-based The Javelin Group LLC is requesting to rezone 10405 East Northwest Highway, currently developed as an office building, for single-family residential use.
Land use planner and zoning consultant Rob Baldwin said he’s heard no opposition to the plan yet. It will probably be heard by the City Plan Commission this summer, he said.
“It’s a scary old office building, kind of ugly,” Baldwin told CandysDirt.com. “There are cell towers on top and a huge parking lot.”
The Javelin Group owns an assisted living facility to the east of the office building site.
“They want to protect their development and maybe have it redeveloped,” Baldwin said.
Housing For Empty Nesters
Plans for a new development are still early in the process, according to Baldwin. There’s space on the 3.6-acre site for about 30 or 40 homes, he said.
“They put it under contract and they want to do some owner-occupied dwelling units. They’re talking to different builders right now,” he said. “It would be something that would tend to appeal to empty nesters or people without kids. It’s not going to be your typical single-family development. It would be townhomes or patio homes, something along those lines.”
Baldwin said he thinks it’s a good use for the property.
“Right there next to it are medical uses along the east side,” he said. “There’s a vacant lot that was rezoned a few years ago for an adult daycare that was never built. You have retirement apartments on the east side of Lullwater [Drive]. Then you have The Javelin Group’s convalescent and nursing home on the northeast.”
Representatives have met with District 10 council member Kathy Stewart and Plan Commissioner Tipton Housewright.
“They’re generally supportive of housing,” Baldwin said. “There is a huge need for housing in Dallas and what I would say is a huge need for empty nester housing. I’m stuck in a house that’s too big and too tall, but there’s no place for me to go.”
He said he expected the homes would be in the $500,000s or $600,000s.
“It’s more for people who sell their million-dollar home to downsize and want to put a good chunk of it into another home without a mortgage,” Baldwin said.
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Im not sure what’s so scary about, I’d guess that building to be far more sound than any construction that would replace it… how about some adaptive reuse instead of razing ?!?!
I was thinking the same thing and maybe providing lower housing prices. The cost to purchase a home anywhere in Dallas is around 500,000. I just can’t imagine paying that for a home in this city. Thank gosh I am not in that position. When I do sell my home I plan on leaving this city to find a home that is worth what I pay for it. Not worth what the market demands. I am sorry to see Dallas becoming another Los Angeles but that is what it’s looking like to me. So as soon as I can I’ll be moving away from this Democrat run town with overpriced houses and tons of homeless. I was born in the DFW area and I can say I hate what it is now. I’m no longer proud to say I’m from Dallas as look at what it is now. All you new people have done this city is.
I remember when that was new and impressive. My orthodontist, the late Dr. Lee Smith, was there. I went to Lakewood Elementary with his son (also deceased) Roy Lee Smith. His daughter Anne was a famous tennis player:
“Smith’s highest women’s doubles ranking was world No. 1 in 1980 and 1981. Her highest singles ranking was world No. 11 in 1980.” Wikipedia
I can tell you – with the cost of land over there, and building costs exceeding $150 per foot for something of ANY quality, I’d be shocked if any of the prices started with a 5.