Hollywood Heights’ Secret to a Hot Market? Historic Conservation Status

Hollywood Heights real estate is on fire. A historic Tudor home here was listed by Allie Beth Allman’s Joe Kacynski last Friday and sold to the first person who walked through the door. That’s not an unusual occurrence, not if you have a move-in-ready home in this neighborhood.

So why is Hollywood Heights so hot? One of the biggest reasons is that historic preservation is paramount here. In 1989, residents successfully had the neighborhood designated as a conservation district. That designation protects the architectural integrity of Hollywood Heights, giving it a cohesive character, despite a variety of styles. 

That is a real draw for buyers. Many neighborhoods in Dallas are becoming a crazy quilt of architecture, with two-story new builds looming over one-story original houses, not to mention the mature trees being chopped down. You don’t have that in historic or conservation districts. That means buyers are increasingly seeking the look and feel of these neighborhoods.

I asked Kacynski, who has lived here for 25 years, and been selling homes almost as long, what is happening in Hollywood Heights from a Realtor’s perspective.

“We have a lot of first-time buyers and young couples looking,” Kacynski said. “They love the historic neighborhood, and what they’ve read about it. We also hear remarks from potential buyers about how welcoming it feels here. It’s common for neighbors to talk to people going into an open house and tell them about the neighborhood. We also have couples with children that want to be here for the Lakewood Elementary school district.” 

Life in a Hollywood Heights historic home these days is not a challenge, as the majority of them have been completely remodeled, updated, and often feature attic renovations or additions. You’d be surprised what’s behind those charming historic Tudor facades. That’s another part of the success story of so many conservation districts. People who move here buy with the intention of staying, so they invest significantly.

This 1938 Hollywood Heights Tudor is an excellent example of a historic home that has been fully updated, yet retains all the charming historic features buyers desire. It’s so lovely it was included in the neighborhood home tour. You’ll find reverse ogee arches and period light fixtures throughout the 1,817-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bathroom Tudor. From the stone-embellished façade and dramatic stained glass window to the soaring vaulted living room ceiling with diamond plaster detailing, it’s simply perfect.

Hollywood Heights is a perfect example of why preservation matters, how having a historic home returns on investment when you’re ready to sell, and the fact that it’s not at all challenging to live in one. You just need to have a Realtor who knows what’s coming on the market, because remember, most of these homes sell to the first person across the threshold.

Kacynski has this Hollywood Heights Tudor at 6804 Vivian Ave. available for $940,000.

Open House: August 17, 2 to 4 p.m.