Turning commercial warehouses into luxury residential living spaces has been happening in New York and Miami for years. Although Dallas has trailed behind in the luxury warehouse department, it’s finally arrived. Now some of the most incredible homes you could ever imagine are renovated warehouses in the Design District.
“It’s one of the hottest secret areas in the city for people to live, work, and play,” Briggs Freeman listing agent Pogir Pogir said. “I see is so many incredible homes that no one knows exist. They are off-the-charts amazing, designed by Dallas’ top architects, and with the sort of quality you expect to see in Highland Park. The area is so unique, so special, so private, and people in the know are creating spaces that are incredible.”
One of those spaces is Pogir’s latest listing priced at $2.695 million at 2278 Monitor Street. I’ve known the owner of this luxury warehouse for over 20 years. She is a pioneer in renovating commercial warehouses into living spaces that double as work spaces, having renovated her first one on Dragon Street in 1993. Remember, this was when most of these buildings that were not used as showrooms, were boarded up, and safety was questionable. The photographic community found sanctuary here after being priced out of Deep Ellum, and as more designers moved in, a slow-but-steady evolution began.
Seldom have I met anyone like this seller. Her level of taste and dedication to detail is unparalleled. This luxury warehouse is the fourth property she’s renovated, and each one just gets better. So, not only are you in for a flawless 10,906 square feet of inspired design, you get a low carbon footprint enhanced by the 19 kilowatt hour solar array installed on the roof last year, tankless water heaters, and energy-saving Thermo windows. And then there is the drama both inside and out. Outside, specifically on the roof, you have some of the best views of downtown Dallas.
Inside, there is a dramatic central atrium complete with a waterfall. Imagine lounging by the sound of water, in air-conditioned comfort, on your artificial turf lawn with nary a mosquito in sight — heaven.
With 18-foot ceilings and an ability to carve out a live/work space and a commute of mere feet, why wouldn’t you embrace living in a warehouse? At present, space is divided into a residential side and a work side, but the beauty of this luxury warehouse is that you can so easily create the exact arrangement your family requires, but I’d advise keeping the two kitchens!
“You can keep a business side, or you can convert space to more bedrooms, and the kids can have a whole inside playground,” Pogir said. “I am seeing people with art and car collections drawn to these luxury warehouses. They are creating second homes downtown where they can entertain, have a party, and not bother the neighbors. I’m also seeing a lot of families that want to be here.”
Gone are the days when Mamma’s Daughter’s Diner was the only place to get a bite. As the seller told me “Now FT33, Town Hearth, Pakpao Thai, Sassetta, SER, and Pie Tap Pizza, are just a few of the restaurants that are blocks away. The Bishop Arts District and downtown are both five minutes away. Theatre, movies, galleries, and world-class shopping is reached by either the toll road or I-35. Trinity Trails is just outside the door. The Design District is continually evolving. The Virgin Hotel is on the horizon. Who knew?”
“So much is going on down here it blows your mind,” Pogir said. “There is so much energy, it’s safe, and it’s a very close community. There are neighborhood happy hours. To me, it’s absolutely fabulous.”
Karen Eubank is the owner of Eubank Staging and Design. She has been an award-winning professional home stager for more than 25 years and a professional writer for 20 years. Karen is the mother of a son who’s studying music at The University of Miami. An ardent animal lover, she doesn’t mind one bit if your fur baby jumps right into her lap. Find Karen at www.eubankstaging.com
