The Last Lyons: Is This Euclid Ave. Home The End of Scott Lyons’ Architectural Heritage?
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Scott Lyons was one of those under-the-radar architects. You had to know someone who knew someone and then be recommended. He designed homes for the movers and shakers of Dallas society and did so to absolute perfection. The most recognized is the home he designed for Texas Instruments founder Eugene McDermott and his wife, Margaret.
Losing The Legacy of Scott Lyons
The McDermott home was thoughtfully and carefully restored by Steven and Susan Butt, who purchased it in 2021, and if we are not doing a better job of educating the buyer base in Dallas, that home may soon be the last of the Lyons.
However, there is a rare opportunity in Highland Park to purchase one of Lyons’ original designs, a 1960 single-story Texas Modern. Located on Euclid, in the heart of Highland Park, the house bears all of the hallmarks of his thoughtful designs and their beautiful execution by suburb craftsmen using the materials he was known for, like St. Jo brick.
“Scott Lyons interpreted midcentury Modern in a Texas way. He was aware of the design tweaks that make things right for Texas,” Larry Good, retired founding principal and chairman of Good, Fulton & Farrell, said. Good is also the author of A House for Texas, about the significant Elbert Williams house at 3805 McFarlin Blvd., which was designed by David Williams in 1932 and rescued and restored by philanthropists Jan and Trever Reese-Jones.
Lyons didn’t build hundreds of homes. Anyone who knew him will tell you he was an almost obsessive perfectionist, so the remaining homes are incredibly important to preserve.
“The structure and engineering of Scott Lyons homes was so good,” Realtor and historic home specialist Doug Newby said. “He used a lot of glass but also a lot of wood. The combination of big open spaces and warmth made his houses have an enduring appeal. He really bridged the generations of the last of the original Texas modern architects and the beginning of the next era of modern homes in Texas.”
There is a huge disconnection between architectural value and land value in Dallas and an almost epidemic lack of education on why architects and their designs will always matter. The value is not only in the dirt and the location. The value is in owning an architecturally and historically significant home that can no longer be built. The value is in not bastardizing a neighborhood by surgically removing its character.
It’s really up to us all to continue educating our new buyers and those from out of state as to why our local history matters. Let’s hope this is a Lyons that continues to be loved by a new generation.
Avery Realty Group’s Nickole Traughber has this significant Scott Lyons home at 3909 Euclid Ave. listed for $6.2 million.
The Lyons house on Gaywood was a true masterpiece……what a shame it was razed for what will likely be another Dallas monstrosity of dubious taste and no class.
Thank you for sharing the history. I love this, “It’s really up to us all to continue educating our new buyers and those from out of state about why our local history matters. Let’s hope this is a Lyons that continues to be loved by a new generation.” ~ Karen Eubank
Your words are music to my ears!!! My Dallas of the 1960’s-70’s and on, is disappearing. It’s down right painful to watch this happening. Why don’t people see the value in original architecture?
10240 Gaywood was a dream house. Hard to believe it was torn down.
Luckily, 2428 Saint John’s at the corner of Auburndale is still with us, built for another TI executive. It’s a smaller version of Euclid but with all the distinctive features that made Scott Lyons such an important modern architect..
Thank you for featuring this important piece of Mid-century Modern architecture. I hope someone that appreciates this beautifully designed and well built home will step forward and save it.
There is a magical house I nicknamed “Secret Garden” at the southeast corner of Normandy and Fairfield also designed by Scott Lyons owned by the second owner who bought it in the 1980s. I loved making that sale. He was a wonderful architect.
Susan, the address is 3428 St Johns.
Thank you for calling attention to this well-designed house and the importance of education. I hope the house and legacy can live on in Dallas.