I must confess to a certain lackadaisical, late-summer lethargy searching for this week’s Fort Worth Friday. Then I found 2832 Travis Avenue in Hemphill Heights and regained my enthusiasm. We’ve been keeping an eye on Hemphill Heights as one of the up-and-coming in-town neighborhoods for some time. “The Heights” is a neighborhood south of Ryan Place, roughly bounded by Hemphill St. and West Berry St. The neighborhood is still a bit rough around the edges, but has a rich stock of turn-of-the-century, Craftsman-style houses to tempt young, urban pioneers.
Listings in Hemphill Heights are rare. Sales in Hemphill Heights usually happen on the QT, privately, seller to buyer. So 2832 Travis Avenue is truly a find. And this 1909-built, three-bedroom, three-full-bath house has been thoroughly updated and restored. New roof, new electric, plumbing, HVAC system, new double hung windows — the works.
The façade has a dignified, symmetrical simplicity. Stone steps lead to a porch supported by four columns. Enter to find a period, turn-of-the-century gem. Wood trim has been stripped and refinished to reveal the original Craftsman character. The floor-to-ceiling, tiered brick fireplace and coffered ceiling give the cottage living room a certain grandeur.
The external symmetry is preserved in the interior. Original hardwood floors throughout the 2,400-square-foot house have been refinished.
The large kitchen has professional/industrial feel. White subway tile is carried up nearly to ceiling height. The stainless steel refrigerator/freezer is a super-sized 48 inches wide.
The three bedrooms are accessed from the upstairs landing. The level of workmanship throughout this house is nothing short of impeccable.
Bathrooms are of modern proportions but retain a consistent, vintage vibe. The master bedroom has a two sink vanity and charming claw foot tub.
With all of the bespoke details and evident love that has been poured into this house, and with neighborhood values on the rise, I begin to wonder why a house of this ilk is on the market at all.
“It’s a relocation,” Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty agent Gwen Harper tells me. “Can you imagine what this house would list for in Fairmount?” she adds.
Well I think I would be conservative in adding an additional $175,000 to the price tag. Move-in ready isn’t a phrase one often hears used for Hemphill Heights properties, so 2832 Travis Avenue represents real value and is that rara avis — the in-town, affordable, starter home. Or in this case keeper home. Don’t miss the open house this Labor Day Sunday, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Gwen Harper of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s has priced 2832 Travis Avenue at $305,000.
