The moment you lay eyes on the house at 7140 Wild Valley Dr., you know you’re in for some serious Midcentury style.
This University Manor Midcentury Modern’s exterior is the first glimpse at its retro perfection, from geometric concrete walkway and horizontal wood fencing on both sides of the front, to a low-pitch gable roof and pink brick with chocolate brown accents.
Built in 1955, this house was one of the earliest in University Manor, a 3-2 on a heavily treed lot. The interior exudes atomic-era character, with 2,157 square feet of sleek, open, light-filled rooms.
This house’s value has been rising sharply over the past decade. It sold in 2006 for $209,900 and in 2012 for $290,500. There’s an active open contract on it today, listed for $375,000 by Lisa Johnson with Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate.
Let’s take a closer look at our Thursday Three Hundred and see what had it go under contract within days of hitting the market.
University Manor is actually part of a larger neighborhood, Merriman Park/ University Manor (MCUM). As noted by the neighborhood association on their website, MPUM was actually built by multiple residential developments. The name smashup was explained by the neighborhood newsletter, Communicator, in September 2010:
A little known fact is that our neighborhood grew in phases. On the Dallas Central Appraisal District’s books, the neighborhoods noted for the homes in our neighborhood were listed as being: Merriman Park, Merriman Park Addition, Merriman Park Replat, Merriman Park 2nd Inst. Addition, Merriman Manor, Merriman Manor Addition, University Manor, University Manor Addition, Merriman Park/Butler, and Turton Addition. Now you know why we simply go by the name of Merriman Park/University Manor.
The larger neighborhood is bounded by the White Rock Creek Greenbelt, Skillman, Abrams, the White Rock Creek Trail, and Northwest Highway. The generally accepted division between Merriman Park and University Manor runs southwest to northeast between Arboreal Drive and Town North Drive. 
The interior is bright and open, with an entryway that open to the kitchen on the left and the living room/dining room space straight ahead. The latter has a wall of windows with a gorgeous view of the backyard, creating a sense of connection to the outdoor space. A brick wall divides the living room from the kitchen, lending texture and visual interest to the space.
Delightfully, there’s not a carpet to be found in this house—all floors are hardwood or tile. A palette of warm grays and whites keep the interior crisp, but never sterile. 
The kitchen is a marvel, with Bosch stainless steel appliances, including a gas cooktop. A total renovation has created an easy flow with tons of cabinets and counter space.
A bonus room just off the kitchen could be a playroom, guest suite, media room, or office. Nearby is a large utility room with built-in cabinetry and lots of space.
The spacious three bedrooms have hardwood floors and the master bedroom has a brick accent wall in the same pink as the exterior of the house (it feels like a boutique hotel!). Wide walls of windows keep the rooms bright and two of the rooms have plantation shutters. Both bathrooms have retro tiles and with some modern upgrades. 
A landscape architect designed the backyard with a geometric concrete patio. This creates a natural and contemporary setting under towering shade trees. Lovely.
I’m interested in your thoughts on this University Manor Midcentury—do you dig the atomic-era feel and upgrades? What about the value for the price? Leave us a comment with your thoughts.
