The Junius Heights Historic District in Old East Dallas is home to the largest collection of Arts and Crafts/Craftsman-style houses in the southwestern United States. As Dallas’ largest historic neighborhood, Junius Heights is a treasure trove of handsome architectural designs, like the rare “airplane bungalow” at 722 N. Beacon St., our Thursday Three Hundred today.
“Airplane bungalows” became popular in the 1920s, an Arts and Crafts style named because the “pop-up” second story was thought to resemble a cockpit over its wings.
This house was built in 1913, so it’s an early example, and a rarity in Dallas—these types of “airplane bungalows” are mainly found on the West coasts of the U.S. and Canada. The exterior is a faithful representation of the style, with its low-pitched, gabled roof; oversized eaves with exposed rafters; wide, welcoming front porch; and open soffits. The color palette is perfectly Arts and Crafts, in sage, cream, and a deep red accent color.
The interior has been renovated in the last year to expand the master suite and update the kitchen and second bathroom. But you’ll still find historic features throughout its 2,020 square feet, like decorative leaded windows, hardwood floors, and an original fireplace.
This three bedroom, 2.5 bath beauty is listed by Peggye Johnson at Group One Realtors for $339,000.
The Junius Heights area is situated east of Munger Place, south of Swiss Avenue, and southwest of Lakewood, with more than 800 houses in the neighborhood. “The greatest lot sale in the history of Dallas” created the neighborhood, when 200 lots were reportedly sold between 12:01 and 12:45 a.m. on Sept. 3, 1906.
Prominent Dallas Realtor C.H. Munger developed Junius Heights, which at the time was the Eastern edge of the city.
On the first floor, the living room has decorative lighting and two leaded glass windows framing the original fireplace. Through the doorway with columns is a parlor. Those hardwood floors span the entire house, except bathrooms. What a friendly space!
The spacious dining area is off the living room, and looks into the kitchen. Extra wide doorways and lots of windows make the first-floor feel spacious and open. There are so many thoughtful details, like the stairs stained dark to match the hardwood floors, but the toekicks painted white.
The updated kitchen includes granite counters, a terrazzo backsplash, and stainless steel Samsung stove, microwave, and dishwasher. The renovation last year turned this space into the kind of kitchen any aspiring chef would love.
The downstairs master suite is another shining star from last year’s reno. They completely gutted the bathroom, adding a frameless glass shower, marble counters, and a large, walk-in closet.
The second and third bedrooms are large, and a second bath was renovated to include a basket-weave floor tile, a wildly popular pattern in the early 20th century.
The dining room opens onto a small, cheery patio and new-ish deck, and there’s a small amount of green space, making this yard low maintenance.
In addition to a one-car garage with storage in the back, there are several additional rear parking spaces. An electric gate opens to the area off the alley.
I am smitten with this Junius Heights airplane bungalow, from the historic touches to the modern updates! Leave us a comment with your thoughts.
