Dallas Arts District

Walk•a•bil•i•ty, noun. The measure of how friendly an area is to walking.

It aids health and benefits Mother Earth. It creates kid- and pet-friendly environments and increases sociability. It cuts transportation costs and augments property value. So it’s no surprise that walkability is at the forefront of homebuyers’ minds. Real estate agents across the U.S. have grown accustomed to hearing, “How walkable is the neighborhood?”

And local realtors are fortunate to have a solid response. With an overall Walk Score of 51, Dallas is proud to be America’s 24^th Most Walkable metro.

Of course some areas of Dallas welcome pedestrians more than others, which is why the interactive map on walkscore.com is especially helpful. Using an (imperfect) algorithm, the site determines where specific neighborhoods fall on a walkability continuum. And according to their calculations, Big D has some incredibly pedi-friendly parts.

If you’d like to live in a “Walker’s Paradise,” then consider one of the following:

• Uptown / West Village (a Walk Score of 91)
• The West End (98)
• Oak Lawn (95)
• Knox-Henderson (95)

And for those who don’t mind driving a bit, these neighborhoods still classify as “Very Walkable”:

• The Arts District (89)
• Turtle Creek (83)
• Victory Park (82)
• Highland Park / University Park (77)

Specializing in several of Dallas’ urban areas, realtor Katye Sloan confirms homebuyers’ increasing interest in walkability.  ”Many of my clients are longtime Dallasites moving from the Park Cities and North Dallas to Uptown or Turtle Creek because of the ‘walk to life’ ease these areas offer.” She has also observed this pattern in those relocating to Dallas, especially if they are moving from high-density cities. Sloan concludes, “Walkability is now an important criteria for a home search – as important as the number of bedrooms or square footage.”

To find a home with exceptional walkability, contact Katye Sloan or visit briggsfreeman.com. Also follow @UpdateDallas on Twitter for the latest real estate updates.

In 1982 when Lindalyn Adams and her husband Reuben were in the Virgin Islands and in line for dinner, they struck up a conversation with the British rocker, Phil Collins. They had no idea who he was. Reuben said they were from Dallas and that he delivered babies. Phil said he was from London and played drums with the group “Genesis.” Thinking “Genesis” was religious, Lindalyn said they had a son with Campus Crusade for Christ.

And thus was the beginning of a truly beautiful friendship that would lead Phil Collins to amass the largest private collection of Texas historic artifacts in the world. She recently invited him to “headline” a Dallas Historical Society event at the Hall of State where he talked about his love of Texas history before a rapt audience.

Lindalyn’s own love of history has been her driving passion that has inspired friends such as Phil Collins and benefited numerous edifices and organizations. Old City Park, The Dallas Historical Society and the Hall of State, the Sixth Floor Museum, and the Old Red Courthouse have all been tremendously improved – some even founded – because of her nurturing efforts and leadership roles. Read more…

Dog avenues and cat condos are some of the winsome spaces that will serve as temporary homes for rescue animals at the new planned SPCA facility – badly needed space that will help visitors see clearly the pet they just can’t live without. The large building off of I-30, west of downtown, will take $15 million to renovate, and the Rees-Jones Foundation has pledged a matching grant of $4 million.

Jocelyn White and Tricia Linderman are serving as co-chairs of the “Raise the Roof” committee, which must raise $2 million by the end of September for construction to begin, which will take $6 million. Enjoy images of the renderings – and help raise the roof!  To make donations or read more information about the SPCA and the Rees-Jones gift, visit spca.org.

Undoubtedly, Uptown is upbeat. Chic restaurants, artsy theatres, stylish boutiques, and dive bars – all spots to see and be seen. Adding an urban element to predominantly suburban Dallas, the swanky neighborhood is a treasure.

A treasure worth a fortune, in fact. More than 30 years ago, real estate investor M. Tom Lardner (who passed away last week) dreamed of turning an undesirable district into a high-density hub. The vision broke into reality when Lardner launched the Meridian building, Uptown’s first upscale apartments. A risky test case, the Meridian first proved that a strong market existed and then began attracting further developments.

Now, several years later, Uptown is where it’s at. Real estate agent Katye Sloan comments, “A vital urban transformation is underway in Dallas’ Uptown, attracting the perfect mix of retail, restaurants, residences, office spaces, and entertainment venues.”

Those wanting to join the fun can choose lofts, town homes, and condominiums, but lately realtors are finding high-rises to be especially popular. With numerous amenities, matchless housekeeping, high-level security, and no lawn care, “vertical living” is attracting young and old.

Catching eyes from all around town, the Azure – Uptown’s tallest tower – defines Dallas’ modern, urban lifestyle. Developed by Harwood International, the building is fancified with a jetted pool surrounded by resort-style cabanas, an entertainment room with a wine bar, a 17-seat movie theatre, a state-of-the-art health club…the list continues.

And there’s more. Designed by Susan Smith and Vicki Crew of Urban Interiors, a new model unit has just been placed on the market. Enhancing the Azure’s open floor plans, 10-foot ceilings, floor to ceiling windows, and sophisticated finishes, the talented team created an eclectic interior for a one-bedroom unit. Call for a tour (214-623-6682), but be forewarned: it’s simply dazzling, quite possibly irresistible.

For additional urban living opportunities, visit briggsfreeman.com.

cul•ture noun, the quality in a person or society that arises from a concern for what is regarded as excellent in arts, letters, manners, scholarly pursuits, etc.

For a while now, Dallas has proudly hosted a range of cultural attractions, such as the State Fair (1886), the Dallas Museum of Art (1903), Six Flags (1961), and the Meyerson (1989). With no shortage of shopping opportunities, sports teams, concert venues, restaurant choices, and convention centers, the Metroplex has drawn all types of visitors.

But over the past year, Big D stepped it up a notch. Adding a few especially eye- and ear-catching sights to our Arts District, we made significant strides towards becoming a world-renowned cultural capital.

Fast Company noticed. Each spring the magazine publishes “Fast Cities,” a collection of bold ideas from America’s top 12 cities. This year Dallas got props for having “culture front and center” — quite a recognition.

While funnel cakes, fried butter, and the ferris wheel are undeniably key cultural ingredients in Texas, the new Performing Arts Center has added “a red-hot heart” to downtown, raising Dallas’ worldwide reputation to a more refined level.

Relocating to Dallas? Contact briggsfreeman.com for expert assistance.

The Arts District, Woodall Rodgers Park, the Calatrava bridges, Main Street Garden, Jerry World… An ultramodern Dallas is developing left and right, attracting more and more innovative architectural designs.  While many of the newest additions have been (at least partly) city-funded, three nonprofit organizations now have an exciting urban project underway. Entitled Forwarding Dallas, this unconventional development will transform a city hall parking lot into a sustainable urban hillside. Wait, what?

Yes, a sustainable urban hillside. The site is a series of valleys and hilltops, which comprise residential apartments, public green houses, a spiritual space, a gym, a daycare center, a café, and much more.

Intrigued? Read more from Re:Vision Dallas or dwell.com.

First Baptist Dallas recently announced a $130 million capital campaign to fund the congregation’s “new 21^st Century state-of-the-art church campus.” Unanimously approved by the church deacons, the project aspires to provide a spiritual complement to downtown Dallas and its extensive arts district. Plans includes a 3,000-seat worship center, a fountain plaza with a highly visible cross, two gyms, an education building, a parking garage, a rooftop garden, and a skywalk connecting the campus.

Mayor Leppert, a First Baptist member, believes the church project will contribute significantly to Dallas’ modern reputation. “This is an important investment in downtown Dallas,” he commented. “It will be a part of what we are trying to accomplish in creating an urban setting.” Designed by The Beck Group, a Dallas-based architectural firm, the eco-friendly campus expects to meet LEED’s silver standard.

Tall and transparent, the structure is sure to attract considerable attention, but that isn’t its only objective. “First Baptist’s building program is not an end in itself,” said Pastor Jeffress. “It is a means to an end — to better minister to and meet the needs of the community. First Baptist is firmly committed to spreading the message of God’s transforming love downtown.”

Read details from the Dallas Business Journal, or log on to firstdallas.org for pictures and videos.

With fresh architecture filling our Arts District, all of Dallas has been reminded of the art in architecture. This Sunday the public has another opportunity to experience the artistic brilliance of some of Dallas’ most beautiful buildings. Rather than gawking at downtown’s performance venues and galleries, however, folks will be touring residential treasures.

A home’s good bones and strong architectural design provide enjoyment for today and investment for tomorrow.  Name architects behind the design can also pack a punch, adding value.  “Architecturally significant homes are one-of-a-kind, representing a lasting legacy of an architect or a master craftsman.  They cannot be easily reproduced, if at all,” said Pete Peabody, Board President, Preservation Dallas.

This Sunday, join Briggs Freeman associates as they showcase an assortment artistic masterpieces designed by well-known architects: Frank Welch, Hal Thomson, Wilson Fuqua, and more. Click to read the details.

Aptly called a “magician’s box of tricks” by the New York Times, the new Wyly Theatre offers Dallas much more than an eye-catching piece of contemporary architecture. Nicolai Ouroussoff of the Times describes,

The proscenium wall, like the scenery, can be raised and lowered electronically. Stage floors can drop away and reappear. Several tiers of balconies can be mechanically rearranged in any number of configurations, surrounding the stage on three sides one night, drawing together in a more traditional arrangement the next.

The purpose of all this engineering is not just to facilitate quick set changes; it also allows the director to manipulate and fine-tune the relationship between actors and audience. If the machinery is used as intended, patrons will find that the emotional distance between them and the actors will change in unexpected ways with each performance.

Cleverly constructed to both fascinate and fluster, the impressive structure is wily indeed.

Not yet convinced? Watch this video:

Brought to you by the Dallas Observer.

As they say, everything’s bigger in Texas. And if something’s not, just give us Texans some time. It will be.

For the past 30 years Dallas has been developing its Arts District, an area now being called the largest urban arts district in America. Comprising 13 venues that span over 19 contiguous blocks, this extensive project finally culminated this weekend with the grand opening of a stunning duo – the Winspear and the Wyly.

The New York Times called the Wyly “dull” and a “disappointment,” and the L.A. Times commented that the whole district feels somewhat “detached” from the rest of Dallas. Maybe these urban peers are correct in their judgments. Or maybe they’re just feeling a tad threatened by our size.

Despite the external criticism, Dallasites have been counting down the days, eager to begin enjoying the two brand new theatres. Yesterday afternoon enormous crowds showed up for Spotlight Sunday, an opportunity to watch free performances and tour the eye-catching architecture. While the ultramodern structures may look different – one a bit boxy, the other rather wide around the middle – they both carry enormous potential and promise.

Take a moment to listen to Robbie Briggs of Briggs Freeman Real Estate Brokerage as he comments on the area and all that it brings to Dallas.