East Dallas Tudor Is Ready As-Is or Ripe for Reno

The well-loved East Dallas Tudor at 5714 Anita Street has already found a place in my heart, and I hope someone with an eye for historic homes scoops this beauty right up. This week’s Highlight Home of the Week sponsored by Senior Loan Officer Lisa Peters of First Horizon has everything going for it: location, charm, history, and — my personal house goal — a secret room.

The curb appeal is second to none: from that wonderful old oak tree, to the large circular drive, to the Tudor home itself. The sharply steepled gables on the roof, the arched windows and doorway, the large, tall chimney, the beautiful masonry, all easily give away the Tudor Revival style you will see throughout this neighborhood of Lower Greenville Avenue.

Bonus: listing agent Lori Ericsson of David Griffin & Co. says this house has the best off-street parking you’ll find in East Dallas. In addition to this fantastic circular drive, there’s a long straight driveway to the back and a porte cochere in the back next to the 2-car garage. You could literally hire a valet at this house.

The red porch and matching door make a fun pop of color that some will love, but if you don’t it’s an easy change to make. There’s space here and around that grand tree to do some great landscaping if one were so inclined, though what is there now is nicely tended.

Inside, take a look at those incredible parquet floors! This beautiful wood floor spans the living and dining rooms and sets the classic tone of the home. Original moulding and vintage doorknobs keep you rooted in the history of this 1945-built home, not to mention that gorgeous glasswork in the front door, and the stunning fireplace.

Staged by Ericsson’s team, you can see how easy it would be to take this classic home in a more modern direction. Or if antiques are your style, your vintage dining set would fit right in with the beautiful fixture and original ceiling medallion in this light-filled room made for hosting.

Easily serve your guests from this spacious kitchen with breakfast nook. The kitchen has been updated at some point with granite counters and newer appliances. I love a sink facing the window and the gas cooktop facing out where the people are. The cabinets were replaced as well, and there is oodles of storage space. But don’t be fooled by one of those spice racks because…

See that opening left of the refrigerator? That’s a secret passageway!

It leads to a staircase that takes you upstairs to two spacious rooms, perfect for a variety of uses — think game room, office, or studio. Adding a bathroom would likely be straightforward, as existing plumbing includes a sink. Ericsson suspects the space once served as an artist’s studio, which could explain the oversized painter’s sink.

The home has three bedrooms and two baths, and one of the most interesting aspects of this home (aside from the secret room, of course) is that there are three different options for the primary. In this first option below, you have a large bedroom with ensuite bath and a large closet.

In the image above of primary bedroom option one, the door on the left opens to the hall, the next leads to the bathroom, and the third provides access to option two: the den.

Readers will no doubt be shocked to learn this room was added in the 1970’s, right? I am in love with this room. As dated as it is, it has so much character, and it’s in amazing shape. Look at that divine window seat, and the fantastic built-ins! And you have a door right to the little patio and garage outside. This room has been used in the past as the primary, and why not? It’s huge, and the primary bath is just outside the wet bar. Who doesn’t want to mix a martini on their way into the bedroom?

And here we have option three for the healthy people who don’t want to walk through a bar to get to the bedroom. This option has a lovely sunroom that could be used as an office, sitting room, workout space, yoga studio, or anything your productive heart desires. The bedroom itself is large enough for a primary, so this makes another solid option depending on your preference and lifestyle choices.

I think we all know which one I would choose. But I would make a very nice productive office in that sunroom, too. It’s all about balance. Y’all simmer down and stop judging my bar/bedroom/den.

Finally, outside there’s a great little yard, perfect for a small dog or a garden, but not enough to break your back mowing, and a lovely covered patio for grilling and enjoying the outdoors. The garage apartment is a separate structure, with a two-car garage and a studio apartment with a kitchenette.

This East Dallas Tudor has so much to offer, I can’t imagine it will last long, and while there is a lot that could be done here, it really is quite wonderful as it is. Y’all may have to race me to call Lori on this one, because I need a secret room, and primary #2 has my name on it.

Lori Ericsson with David Griffin & Company Realtors has 5714 Anita Street listed for $787,000.