This historic Greek Revival home is one of the most exciting real estate opportunities in Dallas. And if I had the money, I’d be first in line to snag this gorgeous house in the Peak’s Surburban Historic District.
The house was built in 1905 for Dr. G.M. Hackler, a prominent physician associated with The University of Dallas, now known as Baylor University Medical College.
In 1944 it was sold to Robert and Sammie Franks. Mrs. Franks worked at A. Harris and Co. There was a great need for boarding houses at this time, and they began renting rooms to young women. The couple named their home, The Colonial, a Boarding House for Young Ladies.
After Mrs. Franks’s death in 2001, the present owner was determined to restore the historic Peak’s Addition house to its original grandeur. He called in Dan Tucker, and the result is nothing less than perfection.
Woodwork that had been painted multiple times over the years was patiently stripped and stained to the original color, the pocket doors were reworked, and the fireplace was completely restored.
“The hardwood floors were covered with orange and avocado green indoor-outdoor carpeting,” Tucker said. “Thankfully, it actually protected them. We replaced the gas, sewer, and electrical lines, added central heat and air, and finished out the third story. It had been floored, and there were still clotheslines up where the girls hung their laundry to dry on rainy days.”
This historic Greek Revival was built as quite a grand home with finer finishes than most in the neighborhood. The inlaid floors were not standard, and the moldings were much more detailed than other homes in the area.
“You get a real feeling of quality craftsmanship in this home,” Tucker said.
The fully restored features include the original leaded glass entry, oak paneling, a hand-painted fireplace, curved glass windows, and those beautiful original floors with a five-wood border inlay.
It’s not surprising that in 2002, Preservation Dallas presented the owners with an award for their restoration efforts.
The present owner has restored several homes in that area over the years, but told me this one was the most fun and challenging because of the possibilities.
As this 4,736-square-foot historic Greek Revival was being worked on, friends would stop in and offer suggestions.
Several thought a bed and breakfast would be an excellent option. After all, the house is within walking distance of Baylor, and close to downtown and Deep Ellum attractions, so it’s ideally located for visitors to Dallas. There were no bed and breakfasts here at that time, and Airbnb did not yet exist. So, the house took on a new mission with guests from all over the world, including some famous faces!
The innkeeper kept track of favorite breakfasts, and repeat clients became the norm. The house has also hosted weddings and events over the years.
The bed and breakfast was named the Corinthian after the classic Corinthian columns on the front of the house.
There are now four en-suite bedrooms in the main house, and the carriage house has two bedrooms in two separate apartments. The third floor of the home is now an enormous game room.
I think this is an incredible income-producing opportunity, and were it up to me, I’d keep it as a bed and breakfast. However, I can equally see this as a stellar home for a medical professional with kids headed to Booker T Washington.
It’s always fun to look at the building cost in the early years of our fair city.
This historic Greek Revival came in at around $4,500 back in 1905. Today, Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s Becky Oliver has this historic Greek Revival at 4125 Junius listed for $1.799 million. But remember, bed and breakfasts are hot items right now, and you’ll have that mortgage easily paid each month!
