When Gary and Vanessa Hoffman bought their Swiss Avenue property in the 1980s, they were newlyweds looking for a forever home.
Thirty-seven years later, the Hoffmans are celebrating more than four decades of marriage and the 100th birthday of their house by opening its doors for the Swiss Avenue Mother’s Day Home Tour.
Vanessa Hoffman grew up in the Lakewood neighborhood of Dallas and was living with her new husband, Gary, in their home on Bryan Parkway — just one street over — when 6017 Swiss Avenue went on the market in 1985.
“We liked historic homes,” she said. “We already knew the neighborhood. It wasn’t a hard sell. We were not looking to buy a new house, but we came in and saw it and we just loved it. The rest is history.”
6017 Swiss Avenue in 1985
Labor of Love
The Hoffmans haven’t changed the footprint of the home but have steadily worked on it over the years.
Designed by architect E. Ross Chandler and built by contractor E.H. Reeder for his family in 1923, the Prairie-style home has a solid foundation, Vanessa said.
“At the time we bought it, the house was in reasonably good shape, but we had to put in a roof, a new porch, all the non-fun stuff,” she said.
They “modernized” the kitchen, updated plumbing and electricity, and added an outdoor kitchen to the back of the home. They spruced it up with antique furniture and 1920s light fixtures.
Every year on Christmas Eve, friends and family gather at 6017 Swiss Ave. for a festive party around the fireplace.
“We’ve tried to rejuvenate the house as opposed to redoing the house,” Vanessa said. “It has such beautiful lines and woodwork. We wanted to maintain the integrity and the style of the house.”
In addition to gaining a historic home that has become the Hoffmans’ sanctuary, they’ve also gained lifelong friends in their Swiss Avenue Historic District neighbors.
“The main thing we’ve loved about it besides the house is the neighbors,” Vanessa said. “The neighborhood is a very unique collection of people. We’ve got lifelong friends that have been here since we’ve been here and some that are new friends. It’s not only loving the place you live but loving the people around you. It’s a true old-fashioned neighborhood.”
Since the home has survived 100 years and the Hoffmans’ marriage has survived almost 43 years, Vanessa said she feels qualified to speak on the key to a happy relationship.
“The one thing that can break up a marriage, if you let it, is remodeling a kitchen,” she said with a laugh. “If you can survive remodeling a kitchen, you can make it through anything. You just get through it. We decided this was going to be our forever home, and it has become our forever home.”
Swiss Avenue Mother’s Day Home Tour
Check out the Hoffmans’ home at 6017 Swiss Ave. — complete with a 100th birthday celebration — and five other properties on the Swiss Avenue Mother’s Day Home Tour.
Tickets are still available for the tour, which is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 13 and from noon to 6 p.m. May 14. Mother’s Day Brunch is at 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 14. Tickets are available via the Swiss Avenue Mother’s Day Home Tour website for $30 per person in advance and $35 on the weekend of the tour.
Want to attend for free? Stay tuned to daltxrealestate.com for an exclusive giveaway!
