Archive for the 'Dallas Neighborhoods' Category

By Jason Sheeler / The Dallas Morning News
August 6, 2009

In another context, the name Vince might evoke a well-built Italian-American longshoreman you spent a stormy summer weekend with, sharing too much Dewar’s and information. This VINCE is another affair altogether – fashion shorthand for sturdy, sexy, contemporary sportswear from a seven-year-old LA-based label opening its first North Texas store in Highland Park Village this month.

Kate Hudson and Jennifer Aniston are fans of the bordering-on-designer separates, as are Katie Holmes, Kate Moss and Jennifer Garner. The tabloid mainstays, who get major paparazzi snaps for their off-duty style, are particularly fond of Vince knitwear. But the label is comprehensive – from swimwear to pleated khakis.

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By SOPHIA DEMBLING / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News

Luxury? In this economic climate? Are we nuts?

No, really. Everyday luxury is a thing of the past for most of us, but even so, if you have a special occasion warranting a luxury break, now is a great time because luxury hotels are feeling the pinch, too, and they want you.

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James McInroe opens the door of his apartment wearing a T-shirt that declares, “Black is the new black.” His trademark rectangular frames are accented with gold, his belt is vintage Gucci, and his sneakers, yes sneakers, are Puma, trimmed in black patent and yellow.

Get ready to rumble.

The designer’s wardrobe echoes his envied portfolio of Dallas interiors. A McInroe room is an amalgam of disparate furnishings that would quietly sing on their own, but shout at top decibel under his orchestration.

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A few years ago, news of a 5 percent drop in Dallas home prices would have caused blood to run cold in the local real estate market.

But in the current national housing market depression, Dallas’ price decline is being hailed as the best in the country.

Dallas had the smallest home price decline among 20 cities in the January Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller Home Price Index.

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By STEVE BROWN / The Dallas Morning News
The rising tide of residential foreclosures in North Texas is putting more high-end homeowners underwater.

“The largest gains in first-quarter home [foreclosure] postings were among luxury homes,” said George Roddy, president of Addison-based Foreclosure Listing Service.

More than 13,000 D-FW homes were posted for foreclosure in the first three months of 2009, Foreclosure Listing Service said Feb. 12.

Filings for homes priced at $1 million and up jumped 175 percent from a year earlier, the service said Tuesday. And foreclosure postings were up almost 40 percent for houses priced from $500,000 to $999,000.

“Compared to two years ago, postings of ultra-luxury homes have skyrocketed,” Roddy said in a prepared statement.

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Former pro will be authority figure on gridiron and in carpool lane

By Michael Hines
Staff Writer

Le’Shai Maston brings a different perspective on NFL life as he prepares to help young football players at Providence Christian School of Texas.

“Being in the NFL wasn’t what people think,” he said. “It was pretty humbling.”

Maston, a senior corporal with the Dallas Police Department, became the Lovers Lane school’s new football coach in February.

Maston has been associated with Providence, which serves students from preschool to eighth grade, since 2002. The carpool lane officer at the time had problems with the morning schedule, so Maston — who was friends with P.E. teacher Jim O’Dey — came aboard to help.

“It was a change of pace being here,” he said. “People were happy to see me. I smiled a lot that first year.”

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Downtown Dallas

Downtown Dallas is flourishing with new highrise developments, restaurants, shopping, bars, clubs, sports and entertainment venues like Dallas has never known. The downtown Dallas area is considered “Uptown” and is the favorite haunt of professional singles from the young to the not-so-young. Hot spots in the downtown Dallas vicinity include West Village and Mockingbird Station (closer to East Dallas). Condos at the W Hotel start in the High $1 Millions, but you can also find highrises in Dallas for $300,000 and up depending on where you look.

Deep Ellum

Deep Ellum is known as the avante garde area of Dallas with an industrial atmosphere of clubs, artsy shops and unique restaurants. Nestled between Fair Park and Downtown Dallas, Deep Ellum offers various types of dwellings from multi-tiered brownstones to restored warehouse lofts. The area is a central party zone to many young teens and adults.

Highland Park in Dallas, TX

Highland Park is an upscale neighborhood of Dallas County consisting of grande estate homes. Located in central Dallas near Southern Methodist University and Downtown Dallas between Mockingbird and Preston Road due East of the North Dallas Tollway. As of 2000, the population was 8,842. Highland Park is the 41st wealthiest city in the US and the 19th wealthiest city with population over 1000. The median home value of Highland Park is $779,000.

Kessler Park in Dallas, TX

Kessler Park in Dallas Texas is the hidden jewel of Dallas neighborhoods. The homes in this beautifully situated neighborhood are perched on rolling hills with large lots, with old-growth trees. Many of the homes are grande estate homes, but the homes in the area are eclectic, a variety of sizes and architectural styles. Located just west of Dallas near I-30 and I-35, Kessler Park has gorgeous homes for sale.

Lakewood Homes in Dallas

Lakewood in Dallas, Texas is a collection of established neighborhoods of older homes with wide streets and mature trees, located east of Dallas near Whiterock Lake. There several Historic and Conservation Districts within the area protecting the many old homes in the area. Architectural styles include Craftsman, Prairie-Four Squares, Tudors, Spanish and Mediterranean Eclectic and Early Ranch homes, many of native Austin stone. The homes range from two-bedroom bungalows to massive estates on acreage. There is also a fair number of duplexes, four-plexes and very small apartment complexes. Some of the older homes are being torn down so larger modern homes can be built.

Park Cities, Texas

Park Cities is not only a city in Texas, it is also a neighborhood consisting of the City of University Park and the City of Highland Park, Texas. Park Cities surrounds Southern Methodist University and is located in a tiny nook of Central Dallas between I-75 and the North Dallas Tollway. Highlights of this city include rows of very well maintained homes owned by some of the wealthiest people in Dallas. The per-capita income in Park Cities is higher than any other Dallas suburb. The homes are older in this area, but the land is valuable. Many older homes are being demolished to make way for newer more modern mansion-type homes. Most new homes built in the Park Cities are constructed to with an old-world charm so not as to spoil the neighborhoods glorious historical feel. Popular destinations in and around Park Cities include Southern Methodist University, North Park Mall, Mockingbird Station and Highland Park Village.

Swiss Avenue

Swiss Avenue consists of 2.5 miles of historic residential mansions and estates reminiscent of where the wealthy residents of Dallas lived many decades ago. The street oozes history and you can almost hear its story whispered in the facade of the many uniquely ornate homes on Swiss. Tucked away in a very un-wealthy part of town in East Dallas, Swiss Avenue still allures home lovers to dwell and decorate in this unique area of Dallas, Texas.

Turtle Creek

Turtle Creek is located near Highland Park and the Crescent Hotel next to Downtown Dallas. In the Turtle Creek area you will find many highrise condos situated along the scenic park, conveniently located next to the North Dallas Tollway.

University Park

University Park is a part of the Park Cities, a sister city to Highland Park. The homes in University Park are not as pricey as those in Highland Park, but their luxurious none-the-less.

Uptown

Uptown has become the “center” of Dallas over the past few years. With the West Village stores such as Polo, the Magnolia Theater, and one-of-a-kind boutiques, Uptown is a favorite spot for avid shoppers, young professionals, SMU students, and people who want the downtown lifestyle without having to deal with the parking and congestion of downtown.

Turtle Creek

Turtle Creek is an upscale neighborhood situated adjacent to Oak Lawn and Cedar Springs. It is home to the nationally acclaimed singing group, the Turtle Creek Chorale, and and one of Dallas’ most famous restaurants, The Mansion on Turtle Creek. Located just “seconds” from Uptown and minutes from Downtown Dallas, Turtle Creek provides residents access to all that the city has to offer. Townhomes and highrise condos are expanding in this area.

White Rock Lake - Dallas Neighborhood

White Rock Lake is an enchanting area of Dallas surrounding the ever-popular White Rock Lake in Central Dallas. Neighborhoods in the area consist a variety of home styles from eras gone by from cozy 1940s bungalows and 1950s ramblers to 1960s modern homes and luxurious plantation-style mansions and estates. White Rock Lake neighborhoods includes Casa Linda, Casa View, Chapel Hill, Shore Acres, The Cloisters, West Lawther Drive and Lakewood. This beautiful area is rich and history and a central recreation location for all of Dallas.

Willow Bend

Willow Bend is an affluent neighborhood in West Plano. You can find multi-level homes sitting on acres of property, or more traditional suburban streets with well-kept houses lining well-manicured streets. Willow Bend is home to the Shops at Willow Bend that offers shoppers high fashion without the hassle of traveling to Downtown Dallas. Willow Bend is also the number one destination for polo lovers in the city, as the Willow Bend Polo Club has been producing top polo players and entertaining spectators for decades.