I was close when I wrote about this building on Fairmount near Turtle Creek a few weeks ago. At the time, the City of Dallas had posted online a site plan for the building that had some details, but it took a trip to City Hall (not in handcuffs) to look at the drawings. I felt like one of Charlie’s Angels snapping pictures of the exterior and floor plans – although my iPhone is considerably smaller than their suitcase phone and tissue box-sized camera.
I thought I’d sleuthed out the name as being “The Pearl,” but I find that it’s actually still unnamed. But The Pearl isn’t a bad name, is it?
As you can see, the building is very attractive with glass and generous balconies. Clearly these Canadian developers are balcony mavens just like me.
My original guesstimates were for 15 stories and four units per floor with penthouses. I was slightly off, with the plans calling for five units per floor on 11 residential floors (plus ground floor and roof deck). According to the plans filed with the city, the units will be the same configuration for each floor – two bedrooms, two baths. Three units will face the city — east and west — while two will face east, west and north towards the Heritage Auctions building.
The building will be surrounded by park on two sides and across the street from Great Gulf’s other project, the Limited Edition. Some wonder if this less-tony end of Turtle Creek can withstand such pricy digs, but between The Mansion Residences, homes of Park Bridge Court and the nearby Stoneleigh, I think it can.
For those with short memories, it wasn’t that long ago that Lee Park was cleaned up once the Mayfair and Vendome were staring down on it. After all, Reverchon Park is just land. Throw some cash at it, and it can be the gorgeous oasis it was in the early 1900s. Besides, it’s time the park became fashionable again, just like Mr. Reverchon’s “lumbersexual” beard.
My Potty Problem
I admit to playing back (toilet) seat driver here, but when I studied the floorplans I was almost immediately struck by the poor placements of the second bathroom’s doorways in each of the floor plans.
You see, I have a third bathroom that kinda sits in the living room (because I axed its accompanying bedroom for a big living room). When I’m entertaining, unless it’s a “red alert” need, everyone uses the guest bathroom that’s safely tucked away from the living room and baffled from … errr … certain … ummm … sounds … and …. ummm … odors.
I also keep that third bathroom door closed at all times, because even I don’t want to be staring down a toilet every time I round the corner (even if it’s a Toto).
So I know.
Yet, each of the floor plans for this building offers unnerving views into the second bathroom and proximity to those aforementioned toots and smells. And for what? This configuration cuts off the bathroom from the second bedroom (a second en suite is ultimately of more use to residents).
In this floor plan, half your dinner party has front row seats to the not-so-Greatest Show on Earth. And everyone has the potential for an ear and nose-full. I can just imagine, “Ooooo, Champagne!” followed by an uncomfortable, “Ahhh no, wrong sort of “pop.’”
This floor plan delivers the bathroom double whammy of welcoming guests and flavoring the meal. Swap the bathroom sink and doorway with the bathtub and the problem is solved for everyone. I can guarantee whomever sleeps in that second bedroom would rather occasional guests walk through than their having to walk to the front door for every ablution.
All in all, I like this pair of Great Gulf buildings and what they will do to rejuvenate this oft neglected end of Turtle Creek. Perhaps it will spur interest in that final piece of the puzzle. The conversion of Turtle Creek Gardens into something nifty. But please, fix the bathrooms!
Remember: Do you have an HOA story to tell? A little high-rise history? Realtors, want to feature a listing in need of renovation or one that’s complete with flying colors? How about hosting a Candy’s Dirt Staff Meeting? Shoot Jon an email. Marriage proposals accepted (now that they’re legal in Texas)! [email protected]
