This Junius Heights Craftsman Showcases What’s Possible in a Historic Home

If you’re moving here from a much older city like Boston, New York, or San Diego and are in the market for a historic property, you might not think Dallas has much to offer. You’d be surprised. This two-story, completely updated 1915 Junius Heights Craftsman Bungalow is an excellent example of what’s available.

It’s easy to get the impression that Dallas is a gleaming city of glass and concrete, that bigger is always better, and that historic preservation is not even on the radar. That’s really not the case. Dallas is light years ahead of areas like the Park Cities because it actually has protections in place. The city offers avenues for neighborhoods to protect not only single-family homes but also blocks, streets, and entire neighborhoods. Two of the most important ways a neighborhood is protected here are conservation and historic district. 

The City of Dallas website lists 21 neighborhoods as Dallas Landmark Historic Districts. I counted 18 Conservation districts on the city map, with two on the horizon. Having 39 current neighborhoods with either conservation or historic district ordinances is quite an accomplishment for any city.  That may just change your thinking about where you want to live.

I’ve called Hollywood Heights home for decades. After seeing what’s going on just one street behind me, in Mount Auburn, I’m darned glad I opted for a conservation district before I even knew what that meant. East Dallas is a bit of a mecca for historic homes, and some of the best are in my neighborhood and in Junius Heights, which is a historic district.  

Now, you may think living in a century-old home is going to be challenging. I’ll be honest; it can be. Especially when you suddenly discover your 100-year-old main water line has to be replaced or your ancient brickwork requires specialized mending techniques only two people in Dallas know how to do properly. However, lucky buyers today are generally getting a historic home that has been fully updated, like this Junius Heights Craftsman.

This home has been so completely redone it includes things most of us would never even think about. It was large, to begin with, at 2,258 square feet with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms, which made me curious. So, I did a bit of digging and found a decades-old advertisement offering a second-level two-bedroom duplex available for rent!

In 2021, the owner pulled out all the stops and installed dream features like heated floors throughout the downstairs and in the primary bedroom. 

Of course, all the gut work you cannot see but definitely will appreciate has been done. What you will truly love is the kitchen. This entire area was opened up and features a Sub-Zero refrigerator, a 48-inch Wolf range, a coffee bar with a beverage refrigerator, and a huge waterfall quartz-topped eat-in island.

In 2021, the backyard received a glamorous makeover.  A large heated pool with a spa was constructed, along with a travertine fire pit area and a large TimberTech deck.

Because of the historic ordinance in Junius Heights, you’re guaranteed that no giant Lego box house will go up next door. So you have a neighborhood and a house with historic architectural integrity and pull-out-the-stops modern upgrades. 

Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realtor Angela Thornhill has this Junius Heights Craftsman at 700 Huntly St. available for $1.1 million.