Can we get enough of Midcentury Modern homes? Absolutely not, because architecturally significant homes like this impeccable gem seldom pop up. This one was custom-built in 1966 for a family that lived there until 2017. See what I mean? They don’t hit the market often.
Award-Winning Architect William E. Benson
It was designed by architect William E. Benson who deserves as much recognition for his residential designs as his commercial ones. Before starting his firm Benson Associates, he was an architect and an engineer who held positions at George L. Dahl, Hidell & Decker, and Lane & Gamble.
If you were lucky enough to live in Dallas before 1997, you would have seen one of Benson’s most well-known designs, the Art Moderne Dr Pepper Bottling Co., formerly at 5523 E. Mockingbird Lane. It was enormous, with 50,000 square feet on the ground level, an additional 3,000 on the mezzanine, and a 10-2-4 clock tower that became iconic.
Benson won national recognition from the American Institute of Architects with an award for the best manufacturing facilities of the year in 1963. By all accounts, he was heavily involved in the community and an early proponent of climate control. Although in 1969, climate control really meant air conditioning! He advocated for it to be installed throughout Dallas ISD.
You have to wonder when he had time to design homes, but thankfully, he did. Two of his homes are standouts — his 1957 design of 5848 Colhurst and this one at 7158 Joyce Way. The Colhurst home was one of seven chosen for the Dallas chapter of the American Institute of Architects’ first tour of Midcentury Modern homes.
It’s All in The Details With This Midcentury Modern
It seems that when Benson did get to design a home, he went all out because the thought and detail are evident everywhere.
“This Midcentury Modern has the most beautiful California Redwood details,” Allie Beth Allman listing agent Richard Graziano said. “There is so much natural light, and it lives much larger than the square footage because of a modern floor plan. It could easily be a family home with two bedrooms on one side of the house and two on the other. There is also a staggering amount of storage space.”
Because it was so pristine already, the present owners did the work you don’t see that is incredibly important. They added a new roof, a tankless water heater, and a Rain Bird irrigation system. They also refreshed the kitchen without disrupting the original character.
The present owners had never intended to sell this Midcentury Modern. However, another architecturally significant house captured their heart, and their next chapter unfolds. If you are in the market for a flawless Midcentury Modern home, bear in mind, the last time this beauty came up for sale it was under contract immediately, so I’d hurry.
Graziano has 7158 Joyce Way listed for $1.099 million.
Open House: Saturday, March 11, from 1 to 3 p.m.
