A Dilbeck-Inspired and Pyka-Built Ravinia Heights Ranch

While that rounded front entry may have you doing a double take, this Ravinia Heights Ranch was not designed by Charles Dilbeck. However, it is definitely Dilbeck-inspired. That’s because it was the home of one of Dilbeck’s contractors, Ben Pyka.

Pyka immigrated from Germany at 16, became an American citizen in 1943, and ran an extremely successful contracting business in Oak Cliff for two decades. This Ravinia Heights Ranch was not only his home but also the field office for Pyka-Built back in 1949. Pyka Drive, just off of Hampton Road, is named after him.

Ravinia Heights is a quiet, small, woodsy neighborhood in Oak Cliff. It’s far enough away from the bustling Bishop Arts District to ensure you will always have a parking space and a quiet evening. There are also no building restrictions like the neighboring Winnetka Heights, so you really have it all here.  

The neighborhood was developed by Claude Cain, who purchased it from Eli Sanger, of Sanger Brothers Department Store fame, in 1914. If you’ve been around Dallas for a few decades, you may know Cain built the enormous 1931 Ravinia Heights estate on just over seven acres that lies almost behind this home.

This historic Ravinia Heights Ranch sits on an expansive lot, offering ample space for any outdoor amenity you can imagine. The property was fully remodeled in 2024, with the roof raised to create a stunning 12-foot-high vaulted ceiling, flooding the house with natural light and enhancing the modern open floor plan.

The house is 1,803 square feet, with three bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms. The gorgeous kitchen features quartz countertops and top-of-the-line KitchenAid appliances. 

Outside, there is already a custom-built outdoor pavilion designed with integrated lighting and a ceiling fan, so you can start entertaining immediately.  

The property also includes something you rarely find: a spacious three-car garage and a workout room or workshop. 
  
Matt Helm with TruHome Real Estate has this historic Ravinia Heights Ranch at 2900 W. Jefferson Blvd. available for $699,900. Don’t let the address worry you; the home fronts Duval Drive and is indeed an opportunity to own a fully reimagined historic home in one of the loveliest neighborhoods in Oak Cliff.