From Staff Reports
The Ebby Halliday Foundation announced today that the local residence once belonging to Ebby Halliday herself has changed hands in a quiet sale.
The property, just off the northwest corner of Northwest Highway and Preston Road, was once the residence of the late Maurice and Ebby Halliday Acers, a former FBI agent and the founder of the eponymous Ebby Halliday Realtors, respectively.
“Maurice and Ebby really made this home into the perfect place to entertain,” said Daltxrealestate.com founder and publisher Candy Evans of the 1967-built Greek Revival at 8515 Preston Road. “It has a very 1960s contemporary feel. I felt perfectly at home there because it reminded me so much of the homes I grew up in. The open staircase and terrazzo floors are especially noteworthy.”
Naturally, the sale will further Ebby’s legacy of philanthropy throughout the region.
“The home has been held in trust by the Foundation until now, and the proceeds shall be used to further the mission of both Ebby Halliday and the Foundation,” said Ron Burgert, Foundation board member and former CFO of Ebby Halliday Real Estate, Inc.
A lot of care and attention went into removing personal items and memorabilia from the home. At some point, the foundation will hold a silent auction or sale of those items for members of the Ebby Halliday Companies and possibly the public, said Ebby Halliday Foundation Board Member Ashley Cook. All proceeds will benefit local organizations serving women and children.
A significant portion of the proceeds from the sale are being gifted to causes Halliday herself was actively involved in. Donations have already been made to three of her favorite charities: Happy Hill Farm/Academy, The Ebby House at Juliette Fowler Communities, and The WiNGS Center at Ebby’s Place.
“The board absolutely believes Ebby would be thrilled that her past assets are being used to continue improving the lives of women and children across North Texas today,” Burgert stated.
A Legacy of Giving Back
For Halliday, a successful life was about much more than extraordinary sales figures. Her other great passion was service to the community she proudly called home. All of these causes have a common theme of helping women and children in need – something that was always close to Halliday’s heart.
Having opened the doors to successful careers for thousands of people – in particular women, at a time when professional opportunities were limited – Halliday was widely admired for her passionate leadership and tireless altruism.
“Happy Hill Farm’s relationship with Ebby Halliday dates back several decades,” says Lucas Shipman, Happy Hill’s Chief Development Officer. “Ebby met founder Ed Shipman in 1997. She shared his heart for children, and she cared a great deal about their education. The Ebby Halliday Acers Library at the Academy is a testament to her compassion. This has been a very difficult time to care for the children through the pandemic. And yet at the perfect time, the Ebby Halliday Foundation yet again blesses the children that call Happy Hill Farm home. Happy Hill Farm is grateful that Ebby’s generosity and spirit of caring for others lives on.”
“We cannot thank you enough for your incredible generosity,” says Nicole Gann, president and CEO, Juliette Fowler Communities. “As a 129-year-old nonprofit, we have weathered many storms and this past year has been a test of our resolve and the faithfulness of our donors. Your gift for The Ebby House will mentor, educate and shelter young women at risk for homelessness. Ebby would be proud to know that her famous quote, ‘Do something for someone every day,’ lives on at Fowler, continuing her legacy of service to others.”
Do something for someone every day.
Ebby Halliday Acers
“At WiNGS, our mission is to empower women and impact generations,” says Kate Rose Marquez, CEO of WiNGS. “For 70 years Ebby Halliday did that every day. The mentoring and encouragement she gave women in our community is legendary. She recognized that the work we do at WiNGS aligned with her philosophy and her passion. We are honored to have had Ebby personally support our organization for many years. And, we are thrilled that the Ebby Halliday Foundation is continuing that support with this generous gift. On behalf of the women we empower, we thank you.”
To the home’s immediate south is the flagship Ebby Halliday Realtors office, known internally as Ebby’s Little White House since it opened in 1964. Prior to that, the storied building served as the former town hall of Preston Hollow, as well as a field office for Preston Hollow developer Ira P. DeLoache.
The Little White House was not part of the sale and will continue to serve the Park Cities and Preston Hollow with the same high standards for which the brand is renowned.
