This Sunday (as in tomorrow) there’s a Parade of Open Houses happening “behind the Pink Wall” from 2 to 4 p.m. But before we even get to the tour, first we need a history lesson, a primer, and a little bit of “Oh, I did NOT know that.”
Briggs Freeman’s Jena May put us in touch with Baron Cass, son of A.B. Cass, one of the real estate developers that helped create the pink wall.
Back then – 1954 – the concept of a community behind a wall was new to Dallas, but not California, where they were seemingly all the rage. A.B. and partner Hal Anderson figured they could do the same here in Dallas and set out to actually do it. Small snag. That’s a lot of wall, which requires a LOT of brick and as we all know, brick isn’t cheap.
According to Baron, the two headed down to Mexico in search of brick. The goal was to find the least expensive brick they could and wouldn’t you know? It just happened to be pink. The two said SOLD, shipped it back to Dallas, and that is how the Pink Wall was born.
After that, living “behind the Pink Wall” was THE place to be. The who’s who of Dallas made their homes back there. Ebby Halliday had an apartment in the Jaguar and other Dallas socialites were scattered throughout the two-story and high-rise buildings.
According to a Dallas Morning News article, the prestige of the Pink Wall was undeniable and direction friendly. In the 1950s and 1960s, if you needed to let people know where you lived, you’d simply say, “You know, behind the Pink Wall.” And instantly your social status went, like, way up.
It’s still one of the greatest slices of land, sandwiched between two of the most expensive zip codes in the city. NorthPark is right down the road and all the remaining restaurants and retail you could possibly need are right across the street. Just be sure to wait for the walk sign.
A.B. was also the developer that created the Miracle Mile on Lovers. Though Baron says it’s not actually a full mile. The inspiration behind that idea? You guessed it. California. Specifically, Rodeo Drive.
Now, unrelated to real estate, but something that needs to be known. Baron attended the prestigious St. Mark’s School of Texas. Two of his classmates were Steve Miller (“Fly Like an Eagle”) and Boz Skaggs (“Lowdown”). Baron was in a band with Steve Miller – The Marksmen – and Boz Skaggs was their groupie, if you will. We’re on history high alert over here.
Now let’s talk about this tour. Compass’ Nadia Fakih helped pull it all together and every agent involved is v. enamored with the Pink Wall. It’s part of Dallas’ glamourous past.
By purchasing one of the homes listed on the tour, you have an opportunity to own a piece of that past for a low, low price. Truly. It’s pretty incredible what’s offered in the $200s and $300s here and there’s a ton of variety on the tour.
Some are updated completely, some here and there, some are very midcentury modern, and one is in a two-story building with an elevator. So luxe. There are eight homes hosting open houses this Sunday and they’re not all pictured here. This is just a sample, so you better head over.
If you’re curious how the Dallas elite lived in back then or want to restore the glory to these amazing properties, pick an address Sunday, September 20 from 2 to 4 p.m. and get started.
