Sometimes it’s hard to imagine a Midcentury Modern home as historic, but the definition of a historic home is anything over 50 years old. They seem too cool to be historic, don’t they? But they are and serve as a great lesson in historic preservation.
Every time someone on social media tries to justify the demolition of a historic home, I point to any Midcentury Modern. No one would consider tearing one of these down today. In fact, even those in pretty dire condition are snapped up.
Edward J. Stieglitz’s old adage of “They just don’t make them like they used to” explains why knowledgeable buyers greatly appreciate this style. Architects and builders are certainly inspired to emulate them, and they do a lovely job. However, nothing beats living in an original, especially one that has been beautifully maintained and updated.
You may be familiar with some of the more prolific Dallas Midcentury Modern architects like Harold Prinz, Arch Swank, Gordon Meyer, and Ju-Nel‘s founders, Lyle Rowley and Jack Wilson. However, many of our talented Midcentury Modern architects flew under the wire, like Thomas Knowles, who designed our 1962 featured home. Knowles also designed an Eastwood Estates knockout at 940 Forest Grove, which we last featured in 2013. This stunner at 10421 Silverrock Dr. has Knowles’s original plans on the wall.
Everything about this Midcentury Modern is flawless. It has been beautifully remodeled with an eye to incorporating modern style into existing details, often ripped out by unknowing buyers. For instance, the original brick floors were kept, but the kitchen was sensitively updated. That Smeg olive green range is an unexpected modern delight.
The principal bathroom was also given a contemporary update; however, two bathrooms capture the essence of the home’s originality. They feature the original angled front cabinets and tile in colors we don’t appreciate as much as we should.
As wonderful as this Midcentury Modern home is, the neighborhood sealed the deal for the present owners. “They have loved the location,” Ebby Halliday listing agent Chris Hickman said. “They wanted a neighborhood close to outdoor activities, and this home is right off of the Dixson Branch Greenbelt Park, with an easy bike ride to White Rock Lake. It’s also zoned for Hexter Elementary, an exemplary grade school.”
Of course, the 2,583-square-foot, four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom home is already contingent, which brings me to an important point when you are looking for a historic house of any kind.
“When people ask me how the market is doing, I tell them they have to get specific,” Hickman said. “It’s not a general question. It’s specific to the neighborhood, the house style, and the price point. People are still going to buy a great house. That is the key. If it’s a great house, people will take that opportunity.”
And they will take it quickly. This leads me to offer some advice: Do a little research.
Seek out Realtors that represent historic homes and specialize in particular styles. They can advise you on what to do and what definitely NOT to do when purchasing and renovating a home like a Midcentury Modern.
Historic homes only retain their value if they are updated appropriately. A knowledgeable agent can help you find the fine line between doing something you found on Pinterest and historically inaccurately updating a home. If you do the wrong thing, a home’s value can be degraded when you sell it.
These Realtors also know what’s about to hit the market. You must be the first call on your Realtor’s short list when looking for a historic home!
