The year was 1956. Elvis Presley entered the music charts for the first time with “Heartbreak Hotel.” Norma Jean Mortenson legally changed her name to Marilyn Monroe and married playwright Arthur Miller. Actor Tom Hanks was born. William H. O’Neal designed the home at 3605 Overton Park Drive East for Mr. and Mrs. John Church in Fort Worth, Texas.
I know that because when touring this updated 3,077 square-foot single-story midcentury modern home, the original hand sketches of the working drawings and exterior elevation rendering are proudly displayed. History shows that William H. O’Neal also designed the south entrance gates for the Fort Worth Botanical Garden.
Hidden among wonderful live oak trees of Overton Park, a fantastic neighborhood located minutes from I-30, downtown Fort Worth, and benefits from the Tanglewood schools is this classic midcentury modern of four bedrooms, three bathrooms, multiple living and dining areas, and an engaging backyard.
Thanks to recent television shows about smoking advertising executives or ones that fix up homes, the midcentury modern style has come back in vogue. Families are finding the sprawling aspect of the homes offering larger yards for their children to play, and empty nesters like that many are single-story homes. Soaring ceilings and stone-and-brick façade found in homes constructed in the past 20 years won’t be found in homes like 3605 Overton Park Drive East, and many find that refreshing.
One of the many engaging aspects of this home is that when it was recently remodeled, they stayed true to designs and décor while incorporating a contemporary and fresh look of today’s features.
In some areas Ikea Pax storage systems are installed. The clean lines of the cabinets and doors blend nicely with the vintage light fixtures and low ceilings. Even in the bathrooms there is a delicate merging of traditional subway tiles with splashes of pop and color that pay tribute to the midcentury modern roots but give the home a taste of modern pizzazz.
As you tour the home you will notice one bathroom in particular has only been minimally updated, and for that I offer kudos to the owners! There is nothing quite like original 4”x4” seafoam green tile in a bathroom. Stores and vendors might try to replicate it, but it will never been the real deal. I’m glad they didn’t tear that bathroom apart. Just like William H. O’Neal designed it.
3605 Overton Park Drive East is listed by Jennifer Demel of Burt Ladner Real Estate. The home is priced at $724,900. There will be an open house event on Oct. 9 from 2 to 4 p.m. if you’d like to come and see the original hand-drawn plans, rendering, and of course some awesome authentic seafoam green bath tile.
Seth Fowler is a licensed real estate sales professional with Williams Trew Real Estate in Fort Worth. Statements and opinions are his own – no matter how correct. Seth has been involved in the home sales and real estate business in DFW since 2004. He and his family have lived in the Fort Worth area for over 14 years. Seth also loves bow ties. You can reach Seth at 817.980.6636 or [email protected].
