Discover Northeast Dallas’ Hidden Pocket of Midcentury Moderns at This Architecture Tour

This Saturday, you have an extraordinary opportunity to discover the homes, architects, and history of the Midcentury Modern enclaves of Mediterranean Gardens and Sylvania Dells. The guided tour, led by Michael Thomas, Director of the Highland Meadows Preservation Foundation, and Jessica Stewart Lendvay, AIA, promises to be an enriching experience.

For those unfamiliar, Sylvania Dells and Mediterranean Gardens are two enclaves of homes nestled in the larger neighborhood of Highland Meadows in Northeast Dallas. These two pioneering midcentury developments feature some of the most distinctive homes in Dallas, many of which we have written about. 

Sylvania Dells Has One of The Coolest Midcentury Modern Homes in East Dallas 

Architects of the era that are represented on the tour include William Krisel, John Preston Travis III, Ju-Nel, Richardson + Bennett, Walter W Ahlschlager, Viktor and Aladar Olgyay, Harry Matthies, John Barthel, and Thomas Knowles.

The Mediterranean Gardens and Sylvania Dells neighborhoods were developed by John Preston Travis in 1950. He called on architects, and twin brothers, Aladar and Viktor Olgyay, Hungarian planners and climatologists, to consult in their planning and creation.  

The first house, completed in 1952, is known as the Lincoln Research House, which was considered a “revolution of design for tropical housing and building.” The design was considered to be ahead of its time by three decades, with an array of cutting-edge elements, including provisions for solar shades, radiant panel heating, and forced air circulation. This certainly explains why plans for homes in this neighborhood underwent an approval process by a panel of architects and owners. 

Midcentury Modern architecture resonates with us like no other. It’s captured generation after generation of architects, builders, and home buyers. Just look at any Midcentury Modern home that goes on the market. They are under contract in hours, even the ones that need work. I can’t think of a single current contemporary architect I’ve interviewed who did not mention being inspired by this era. This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone interested in midcentury architecture.

If You Go

Saturday, October 25
10 a.m.

A guided exterior tour of select Highland Meadows homes begins at South Mediterranean Circle and Mediterranean Dr. Eight-passenger golf cart is available for guests who prefer to ride.

Parking is available at 10801 E. Northwest Hwy. at the corner of Mediterranean Dr. and E. Northwest Hwy. 

Tickets: $20 — includes tour admission and supports Highland Meadows preservation efforts. Purchase tickets at HighlandMeadowsNeighborhood.org/store.

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