DALTX Real EstateDALTX Real EstateDALTX Real Estate
  • Home
  • Guest Post
  • Agents
  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise With Us
Reading: The Lakewood Conservation District Expansion is Vital to Historic Preservation
Share
Font ResizerAa
DALTX Real EstateDALTX Real Estate
Font ResizerAa
  • Home
  • Guest Post
  • Agents
  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise With Us
  • Home
  • Guest Post
  • Agents
  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise With Us
Follow US
© DALTX. All Rights Reserved.
DALTX Real Estate > Historic Preservation > The Lakewood Conservation District Expansion is Vital to Historic Preservation
Historic Preservation

The Lakewood Conservation District Expansion is Vital to Historic Preservation

7 Min Read
SHARE
Contents
A Neighborhood Rich in Architectural LegaciesA Gold Mine of Dilbeck DesignsSaving an Intact Neighborhood
DSC_0898-edit
7031 Tokalon Drive. Photo: Mimi Perez for Daltxrealestate.com

Karen Eubank: We have one of the largest collections of Charles Dilbeck and Clifford Hutsell-designed homes in America and yet we still struggle to protect them. Why? I think so many don’t understand that the intrinsic value of these homes is the fact their exteriors are untouched. Paint one, and I guarantee you, it will lose value. So, I’m pleased that the process of expansion for the Lakewood Conservation District is moving along. Summer Loveland gave me an update last week.

“We are awaiting the verification of signatures and should get that around the end of July,” she said. “We paid the $2,400 application fee on Monday. Our neighbors contributed to raising money for about half of that fee. The next step is the city will schedule ten meetings, starting in late August.”


I bet you thought all those beautiful, eclectic Charles Dilbeck and Clifford Hutsell-designed homes were protected. They are not.

Shocking, right? 

A Neighborhood Rich in Architectural Legacies

In the 1920s, developers Albert Dines and Lee R. Kraft bought 184 acres around what is now the Lakewood Country Club from Dr. W.F Pearson and began building one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Dallas.

Architects such as O’Neil Ford, Arch Swank, and David O. Williams designed homes that still stand today. You will find everything from classic Colonials to Prairie-Four Squares and Spanish Eclectic styles, but the most coveted homes are the historic Dilbecks and Hutsells.

DSC_2241-edit
Photo: Mimi Perez for Daltxrealestate.com

A Gold Mine of Dilbeck Designs

You can easily spot a Hutsell design. The clay tile roofs, ornate iron and tile work, and loads of whimsey are immediate giveaways. On the other hand, Dilbeck favored no particular style. In fact, it’s one reason there is difficulty identifying some of his homes.

Our former Dallas Parks and Recreation Director, Willis Winters, has spent years tracking down and verifying these homes and is presently writing the definitive book on Dilbeck that we cannot wait to read. I spoke to him recently to get his take on the lack of existing protection.

“Lakewood, unlike other residential neighborhoods throughout Dallas and the Park Cities, is relatively intact,” Winters said. “There is still an opportunity to preserve its history and save its unique architectural legacy. As a former Lakewood resident whose home was later demolished, I completely support expanding the boundaries of the Conservation District, which will encompass many significant residences that must be preserved.”

DSC_0898-edit
Photo: Mimi Perez for Daltxrealestate.com

Saving an Intact Neighborhood

I enjoy reminding our readers never to sit back and wring their hands because, in reality, it takes only one person to start a movement. Lakewood resident Summer Loveland decided to do something about the lack of protection for these historic homes.  

“A Hutsell down the street had a for sale sign last May,” Loveland said. “It was on a corner lot, and I worried someone would buy it and tear it down. So, I called the city to see how we could expand the conservation process in Lakewood.”

Loveland had been active in the successful formation of the Belmont Conservation District years ago, so she was well aware of the challenges.

Screen-Shot-2022-03-16-at-9.58.45-AM
Screen-Shot-2022-03-16-at-9.58.45-AM

“Lakewood was the second Conservation District, formed in Dallas in 1988, and it only protects homes from Abrams to Brendenwood,” Loveland said. “There is not a single Hutsell in the protected area. There are almost 50, and none are protected. The proposed expansion area covers all the Hutsells. When I started initially talking to my neighbors, I found there was a lot of interest and support.”

DSC_0898-edit
Photo: Mimi Perez for Daltxrealestate.com

This is when it begins to take a village to save historic properties. Loveland contacted Winters to ensure there would be a complete list of these historic properties and got to work drumming up support. The city requires a committee of 10 to move forward, and Loveland found neighbors invested in the mission, and the process has moved surprisingly quickly.

The formal request was submitted to determine eligibility, and the city has reviewed the documents. Loveland expects approval of eligibility in April. Once that happens, the city has two weeks to provide petitions to the neighborhood committee. They have to get 58 percent of the neighbors to agree and sign the petitions. After this, the city holds a public meeting. 

DSC_0898-edit
Screen-Shot-2022-03-16-at-9.58.45-AM
Proposed expansion of the Lakewood Conservation District
DSC_0898-edit
Photo: Mimi Perez for Daltxrealestate.com

We take one step forward and two steps back in our continuing efforts to preserve historic Dallas homes and buildings. The concept of preservation, conservation, and adaptive reuse are generally not in a developer’s vocabulary. Profit is the sole driver. Understanding value that is not financially based is a tough reach for them. Homeowners are, sadly, generally uneducated or misinformed. 

Screen-Shot-2022-03-16-at-9.58.36-AM

Right now, Highland Park is essentially a construction zone, and there will be little to no history left in another few years. Fifty of the original homes featured in  Great American Suburbs: The Homes of the Park Cities, Dallas have been torn down. Let me remind you these are homes like the Carey Estate and Old Alice, homes owned by the visionaries that built our city. Once they are gone, their story fades, and history is lost. 

Screen-Shot-2022-03-16-at-9.58.45-AM
One of Lakewood’s most iconic estates.


With the ever-increasing awareness of our inventory of historic properties dwindling daily in Dallas, Lakewood is one neighborhood that seems to understand the value of preservation.  

Bravo!

For more information on the proposed expansion and a list of facts about Conservation Districts, click on the pdf.

Beautifully Renovated Charles Dilbeck Bluffview Estate
Compass Realtor Mary Markey Just Listed This M Streets Tudor Revival That Has a Pool And a Backhouse
A Rail Relic Reborn: How The Katy Trail Caboose Got a New Lease on Life
The Forest Hills Cox Estate is a Spanish Eclectic Dream
How Did We Get So Smart About Historic Homes? Go To The Source!
TAGGED:architectural legaciesCharles DilbeckClifford HutsellLakewood Conservation DistrictSummer LovelandWillis Winters
Share This Article
Facebook Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article The Best Open Houses Of 2022 To Date
Next Article A Design-Loving Buyer’s Dream Home Just Listed on Desco Drive
Popular News
Mary Beth Harrison

Dallas Native Team Chooses Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate

A Hidden Gem on Westover Hills’ Hidden Creek Road is Made in The Shade
Three North Texas Cities Are Ideal For Remote Workers, Study Finds
Experts Tell Builders to Watch for Electricity Shortage and Weaponized Water in 2023 Legislative Session
The One With the Man Cave — a Very Serious Man Cave
about us

DaltxRealEstate.com is the largest real estate blog and the only one in North Texas.

Links

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Contact Us
  • Paid Guest Post Submission

Categories

  • Wednesday WTF
  • East Dallas
  • Monday Morning Millionaire
  • Upon Closer Inspection

Get Involved

  • Advertise With Us
  • Write for Us: Submit Guest Post

Find Us on Socials

© DALTX. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?