Ah Berkley Place. Once an insider’s secret, with charming, venerable, older houses tucked under canopies of mature trees, it used to be a place to hunt for a real estate bargain.
No more.
Its proximity to parks, a zoo, and TCU — plus its undeniable allure — have pulled Berkley out of the shadows. Add to that, the ridiculously low inventory of houses for sale in the area, and, predictably, prices have risen. In fact, according to Realtor.com, per square foot prices are $45 higher here than nearby Tanglewood. And this 1920s vintage neighborhood seems to have been particularly embraced by young families. No doubt the five-star parental rating of Lily B. Clayton Elementary School is a factor.
Briggs Freeman agent Ashley Mooring is only the second owner of the 1928 Berkley cottage at 2036 Hawthorne. Exuding curb appeal, this 2,190-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bath charmer has been thoroughly updated without sacrificing the ingredients which make it so special.
The porch has been enclosed to form a vestibule and front study. The brick has been left exposed and whitewashed. Unlike many awkward porch conversions where on piece of plate glass fills in arches, lovely divided-light windows, recently replaced, give the room a look of permanence and add interest.
The living room is, well, roomy. The nine-foot ceilings are bound by a barrel vault. The Craftsman fireplace with side cabinets adds warmth.
Ample windows and a pre-AC-era openness flood the rooms with light. The hardwood floors are original and look in mint condition. A soft neutral palette and the owner’s furnishings reveal the home’s contemporary possibilities.
The galley kitchen was judiciously opened into the breakfast room to gain space for updates. The breakfast room was converted into a bar area. Granite counter tops and stainless steel-fronted appliances complete the modernization. Full-size laundry units hide behind cabinets on the refrigerator wall.
In a ‘robbing Peter to pay Paul’ scheme, space has been appropriated and reallocated to rationalize the floor plan. The master bedroom benefits from space taken in from the hall. The original closet was donated to expand the master bath. The current, ample master closet was stolen from the adjoining bedroom. This legerdemain is so subtle, as to be undetectable.
The master bath is now a large three piece with additional cabinetry capped with Carrara marble.
The hall space adds to the inventory of useful storage with built-in cabinets and bookcases, a real fillip in an older home.
The third bedroom, connected to Ashley’s son’s bedroom, is currently designated as a play area with a sleeper sofa for guests. The shelving was carved out of the bedroom closet.
An outdoor pergola constructed in the large backyard enhances outdoor living. As to infrastructure, recently replaced HVAC and roof, as well as repainting should keep this property low maintenance for the foreseeable future. Agent/owner Ashley Mooring of Briggs Freeman has priced this Berkley Place beauty at $535,000.
Eric Prokesh is an interior designer whose work has appeared on HGTV, and in books and publications including D Home, Southern Accents, House Beautiful, and House and Garden. In January 2005, HG named Eric one of the 50 tastemakers in America and D Home has included him as one of Dallas’ Best Designers for 10 years. Having lived most of his life in Dallas, he now calls Fort Worth home and is one of our experts on beautiful Fort Worth Dirt.
