Mediterranean in Ravinia Heights Checks All the ‘Must-Have’ Boxes

On those TV shows where viewers get to look over the shoulders of prospective buyers searching for houses, there’s always a checklist of “must-haves.”

So, let’s create a checklist for this week’s Friday 500,000 listing. “Must-haves” on this list would be the Oak Cliff area, historic charm without the headaches of updating, a distinctive facade, and a price in the $500,000 range.

And that’s when the TV personality would say to the buyers, “I’ve got something you need to see.” Then the TV personality would drive them to 120 S. Briscoe Blvd., and the buyers’ eyes would dance with delight and their smiles would light up the TV screen.

Something to Smile About

Here’s a smile-maker. In the beautiful Dallas neighborhood of Ravinia Heights stands 120 S Briscoe Blvd. This 1926 Mediterranean retains all of the character of the early 1900s and has been restored to the standards of 2024. Renovations were made with the goal of preserving the house’s historic beauty.

“My clients have put a lot of love into that house,” said Realtor Michael McQuay with Robert Elliott and Associates. “It’s a unique property.”

McQuay, who formerly lived in the neighborhood, said Ravinia Heights is an outstanding place to live.

“Ravinia Heights is an awesome neighborhood,” McQuay said, while remembering the progressive dinners, called “wine walks,” that happen twice a year there. “The whole community is awesome. I still have a lot of love for it.”

What’s Not to Love?

The love that the current owners poured into the three-bedroom house means an easy move-in for the next homeowners. Updates for this nearly-century-old house include a reworked foundation, reimagined floorplan, replaced electrical system, a replaced HVAC, reworked plumbing, tankless water heater, and Spanish-style metal roof. Ameri Construction took care of extensive renovations that meant adding studs to what were brick and block walls.

Another perk for this house is its rooftop patio. Accessed by a custom door, the balcony patio is perfect for entertaining or star-gazing for much of the year. Could all of this make it a house that checks all the boxes?

“It’s rocket,” McQuay said of the work. “It’s a really cool house with old-school character but modern finishes.”

This 1,472-square-foot house stands out in this neighborhood of quaint Tudor-style abodes in the Ravinia Heights neighborhood. In 1914, developer Claude Cain bought farmland from Eli Sanger of Sanger Brothers Department Store. Then he went on to develop the area in the early 1920s on more than seven acres of rolling hills.

Jump forward to the 2020s, and the neighborhood has become increasingly popular. What was once a “hidden gem” has become a popular neighborhood commanding higher prices. Ravinia Heights is west of Winnetka Heights, and south of El Tivoli Place, putting it a short walk to Bishop Arts and 10 minutes from downtown Dallas.

The combination of quaint architecture, lovely neighborhood, and excellent location has driven prices in this neighborhood. This Mediterranean’s listing price of $598,000 puts it under $600,000 to stay within budget.

“This house has a lot of good qualities,” McQuay said. “Stylistically, there are not a lot of Mediterraneans. It gives it that extra desirability. At the end of the day, it’s awesome.”

Realtor Michael McQuay with Robert Elliott and Associates has listed this 1926 Mediterranean home at $598,000.