Everyone who falls in love with Swiss Avenue’s gorgeous historic homes, should take note: Opportunity awaits on South Boulevard. Our columnist, Jon Anderson, has waxed about the historic South Boulevard-Park Row neighborhood in South Dallas. Once an enclave of Jewish families, this area fell on hard times several decades back. However, resurgence is just around the corner thanks to some TLC from homeowners.
Now this sweet 1931-built Tudor, complete with beautiful roof, adorable arched windows and doors, and lovely brick facade at 2601 South Blvd. is on the market as is. The home has four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and 4,296 square feet. For comparison’s sake, a similarly sized home in the Swiss Avenue Historic District will cost you around three times the asking price of this historic property, which is listed for an eye-popping $375,000.
From Jon:
The history of the area begins in 1913 with the relocation of the Temple Emanu-El from the Cedars to the corner of Harwood Street and South Blvd. The move to the new neighborhood was precipitated by encroachment by the City of Dallas into the Cedars. The temple has since been torn down, likely as a result of the construction of Interstate 45 which severed the area in two, like so many other neighborhoods.
As was the practice, when a place of worship moved, often the congregation did, too. If the Cedars was Dallas’ first Jewish enclave, the move led to the South Blvd. area becoming the second. The neighborhood’s heyday lasted only about 30 years before homeowners moved again to areas of what was then “North” Dallas, like Swiss Avenue. In total, 55 homes were built on the 2300-2700 blocks of South Blvd. between 1914 and 1932. Nine houses had been lost prior to the 1980 thesis, with more lost since. But the neighborhood retains more original, intact homes than the Cedars.
As the original residents moved away, the area declined in the 1940s and 1950s with once grand mansions being turned into apartments. In the 1950s, prominent and enterprising blacks began the long haul to restore the neighborhood. That effort continues today.
In 1976, the City of Dallas recognized the work that had been done and declared the area a Historic District and two years later it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
As you can see, this home retains the period charm, including the foyer with double arched stained glass doors, solid wood columns, and beautiful hardwoods aching for a refinishing. The first floor is in decent shape, with some cosmetic work necessary to preserve the wood finishes throughout.
The superbly detailed stained glass carries through to the formal living room, which has a lovely fireplace. Pull up the carpet and sand the hardwoods, replace the light fixtures, and rework the HVAC (there’s a window A/C unit in the elevated back of the living room) and this could be a gorgeous grand living area!
There’s even more stained glass in the butler’s pantry, which accommodates a breakfast table.
In the kitchen, you start to see where this home needs the most love. Still, it’s not tiny and with the budget you’ll have after purchase, you can easily make this historic home into the love nest of your dreams.
More beautiful stained glass is featured upstairs, where you’ll find a generous landing that leads to the master bedroom, bathroom, and two other bedrooms. There’s also a third story.
Use your imagination here and you’ll easily see how your loving touch could restore this historic beauty to its former grandeur.
There’s a large backyard and two-story detached garage as well.
So save your cash this year and don’t buy flowers or chocolates for your crush. Give yourself the Valentine’s Day present you deserve: a historic home that’s worthy of your love!
