I’ve extolled the charms of Oakhurst many times in our weekly Fort Worth Friday dispatch, and the miracle is that this charming enclave, only five minutes from downtown Fort Worth, remains something of a sleeper with great values. Trinity Vision, if it ever happens, will add to its appeal as will upscale developments like the adjacent Bluffs.
Always Discovering Something New
Every time I write about Oakhurst, I discover something new and delightful. In 1927, Oakhurst developer, Henry King hired the firm of Hare & Hare to plat the contours of the Oakhurst neighborhood. Herbert Hare, who studied landscape design at Harvard University, is credited with the layout of Oakhurst which featured winding roads following the natural topography, preserving trees in the plan, and highlighting scenic vistas. In winter when the trees are bare there are stunning uninterrupted views of town.
“Everything Grows in Oakhurst” was one of King’s marketing slogans for the Oakhurst neighborhood, less than three miles east of downtown. And it was literally true.
Fruit trees and vegetables flourished in the area’s sandy loam soil. And the botanical trope continued in the quaint street names such as Aster, Carnation, Daisy, Goldenrod, and Primrose.
Many Oakhurst listings have “lots of potential” — real estate speak meaning “in need of costly renovation and updates.” However, 2309 Daisy Lane is about as “move-in ready” as they come.
Built in 1940, this sweet Tudor cottage, across from Oakhurst Park packs a lot of value. There is a discrepancy in the listing about bedroom count, but the repurposing of rooms in the 2,200-square-foot residence could yield as many as four bedrooms if needed. Including the attic floor, there are two baths.
Rooms on the ground floor feel spacious with a traditional floor plan, which includes a formal dining room with a lovely arched, cased opening to the living room with a wood-burning fireplace.
Original oak hardwoods have been sanded and finished to ‘like new’, pristine condition and a pleasing pastel palette brightens the first floor rooms.
The kitchen, with its subway tile back splash, black bull-nosed counters, checkerboard linoleum floors, and vintage Roper gas range, epitomizes period charm.
Dishwasher and garbage disposal are recent updates. Functional and roomy, there is ample space for a center prep table.
The master bedroom is on the first level, as is a charming bath with a long, claw-foot bathtub and original pedestal sink. Bath hardware features a shower head with a diverter valve to a hand spray-a tool I find invaluable as a dog owner. There is also a bonus room at the front of the house with built-in shelves, currently and logically being used as an office.
Upstairs, things get a bit funky with rooms carved out of under-eave attic space — covered floor, walls, and ceiling with knotty pine. Still, this is useful ‘found’ space and would be a child’s paradise.
Thrown into the bargain is the stuff you don’t see but don’t want to have to spend money on after ponying up for a down payment and closing costs on a new house. Like the replaced drains and plumbing. Or the new energy efficient windows. The owners have also added security cameras, a sprinkler system and shored up the pier and beam foundation. A carport at back houses covered parking for two cars.
Connie Salter of Century 21, Mike Bowman has listed 2309 Daisy Lane for $279,900. Though on the market for only six days, the property appears to be already, but unsurprisingly, under active contract.
