• Skip to content
  • Skip to footer
Douglas Newby

Douglas Newby

Insights, Musings, Reflections

  • ​All Douglas Newby Blog Articles on Significant Homes, Neighborhoods, and the Evolution of Cities​
  • www.ArchitecturallySignificant.com
  • Featured Listings
  • Architecture
  • Neighborhoods
  • Firm
  • Media on Douglas Newby & Publications
  • Dallas Modern Homes for Sale
  • Contact Douglas Newby
Douglas Newby
  • Search Douglas Newby Blog Articles

    Categories

All Articles on Architecturally Significant Homes, Neighborhoods, and the Evolution of Cities

ADU

  • Organic Urbanism is the Cure for New Urbanism
  • Patchwork Quilt of Backyards is Dallas’ Central Park
  • Adding Density Destroys Neighborhoods One House at a Time
  • Backyard Rental House/Granny Flat Zoning Threatens Trees, Breezes, Birds and Neighborhoods

Architects and Architecture

  • Inspired Architecture Benefits Shelter in Place
  • Home Sweet Home? How Shelter in Place Changes the Way We Think About a Home
  • The Characteristics of Homes People Love
  • Max Architectural and Preservation Achievement of Architecturally Significant Home, Max Levy Architect
  • Tax On Aesthetics – Architect-Designed Homes
  • Meet Architects of Homes on the AIA Dallas Tour 2017
  • Why 2017 AIA Dallas Tour of Homes Is Best Home Tour in Dallas
  • Architect Frank Welch Lived Young, January 28, 1927 – June 22, 2017
  • Architect E.G. Hamilton, Death Now Destruction
  • Architect Marc McCollom Designs Modern Home in Dallas Neighborhood
  • Why Are Early 20th Century Homes More Modern Than 21st Century Builder Modern Homes?
  • How Does One Architect Renovate Another Architect’s Design?
  • David George (Dec. 26, 1922 – Oct. 7, 2013) Architect Leaves Legacy
  • History of Crespi Estate – Pio Crespi and Florence Crespi and Architect Maurice Fatio
  • Are Small Firms More Important Than Large Firms
  • An Exploration of Modern Design – New Traditional
  • Green Architect Designed Home Assembled on Site
  • Architectural Photographer Charles Davis Smith Illuminates Architecture
  • Was Architect David Williams Influenced by this 1907 Lumber Yard Ad?
  • Architect Reinterprets Location
  • Facebook Provokes an Architecture Conversation With the World.
  • Richard Meier Designed Modern Home for Residence, Gallery and Museum
  • Dallas Architecture Blog Identified as one of 100 Most Innovative Blogs
  • An Architectural Progression of Architecture Patrons – One Family’s Homes
  • Frank Robert Designed House as Bridge
  • Architect designed home demonstrates link — Mediterranean and Modern
  • Architect Scott Lyons Identified – House Saved
  • Haciendas Reflect History and Origins of Texas Modern
  • Mayflower Estates, the New Neighborhood of President Bush
  • Architect Designs Dallas Garden House in Little Mexico
  • Midcentury Modern Home – A Triumph of Small
  • Architect’s Landscape for Architect’s Modern Home
  • Dallas Green Architecture
  • Architect: Quinlan Terry – The Highland Park House
  • House at Wind Point – Max Levy 2007 AIA Award
  • Architect Designs Home For Another Architect

Preservation

  • Organic Urbanism is the Cure for New Urbanism

Homes That Make Us Happy

  • Homes That Make Us Happy – Timeless Observations
  • Inspired Architecture Benefits Shelter in Place

Dallas Insights

  • Holy Grail of Homes Buyers Desire During the Pandemic
  • Organic Urbanism is the Cure for New Urbanism
  • Direction of Dallas and Urban Growth
  • Inclusive Urban Growth: Dilute the Strong or Fortify the Weak Neighborhoods
  • Tax On Aesthetics – Architect-Designed Homes
  • Patchwork Quilt of Backyards is Dallas’ Central Park
  • Adding Density Destroys Neighborhoods One House at a Time
  • Backyard Rental House/Granny Flat Zoning Threatens Trees, Breezes, Birds and Neighborhoods
  • My Favorite Day – Margaret McDermott Day, April 21
  • Why Are Early 20th Century Homes More Modern Than 21st Century Builder Modern Homes?
  • Trinity River Toll Road is So 20th Century
  • Private Art Collections Creating Greater Influence in the Art World
  • Nancy Hanley – A Great Friend to Dallas
  • Private-Public Preservation Tools Coming to Dallas and Highland Park
  • Dallas Surging Ahead of Other Cities
  • Stanley Marcus Home Will Not be Torn Down
  • Old Highland Park
  • George Bush Buys New Home in Dallas?
  • Important Midcentury Modern Home Spared From Dallas Teardown Trend
  • Why Dallas is Embracing an Old Architectural Vision of What The World Could be.

Real Estate Insights

  • Homes That Make Us Happy – Timeless Observations
  • Pandemic Changes More Than Where We Work and Live
  • The Characteristics of Homes People Love
  • Organic Urbanism is the Cure for New Urbanism
  • MLS Remarks Can Diminish Value of Home For Sale
  • Tax On Aesthetics – Architect-Designed Homes
  • Dallas Super High-End Homes—Boom or Bust?
  • Adding Density Destroys Neighborhoods One House at a Time
  • Strongest Property Rights Mayor Was Also Strongest Preservation Mayor
  • Three Spectacular Sites in Dallas — All For Sale!
  • Future Owner of Crespi Hicks Estate
  • Can a Modern Home Also Be a Good Family Home?
  • Popular Greenway Parks Surges Again
  • Owner of Crespi/Hicks Estate Decides to Retain Land for Next Architect-Designed Home
  • Contractor John Sebastian With National Architects Creates Architecturally Significant Homes
  • Private Air Features Crespi Hicks Estate Home
  • An Estate Home Even Modern Architects Love
  • Landscape Architect Can Define Architectural Project
  • What Makes Some Modern Architecture Timeless?
  • Bad Times. Best Architecture.
  • Neighborhood Gates for President Bush New Home Will Double Land Value on Street.
  • Modernism is all the rage now, but that has even some modernist architects concerned

Homes for Sale

  • Can a Modern Home Also Be a Good Family Home?
  • My Favorite Modern and Estate Homes I Offer for Sale Share Boundaries with Massive Private Gardens or Public Parks
  • A Conventional Lot From the Street Can Magically Become Paradise
  • If only President and Mrs. Bush could have waited

Dallas Neighborhoods

  • Inspired Architecture Benefits Shelter in Place
  • Holy Grail of Homes Buyers Desire During the Pandemic
  • Organic Urbanism is the Cure for New Urbanism
  • Northern Hills: Why is it a Favorite Dallas Neighborhood and Crown Jewel of Original Land Grant?
  • Patchwork Quilt of Backyards is Dallas’ Central Park
  • Adding Density Destroys Neighborhoods One House at a Time
  • Backyard Rental House/Granny Flat Zoning Threatens Trees, Breezes, Birds and Neighborhoods
  • Free Highland Park Tuition Trumps Home Prices
  • Older Neighborhoods of Dallas Book, Launched on the Texas Sesquicentennial, Still Relevant
  • Popular Greenway Parks Surges Again
  • FD Luxe Explores Controversy of Modern Home in Highland Park
  • Shortage of Modern Homes in Highland Park
  • Architect O’Neil Ford Designed His First Modern Home in Turtle Creek Park
  • Turtle Creek Park is the Perfect Dallas Neighborhood
  • Beverly Drive Chosen as First Street to be Featured as Neighborhood
  • President and Mrs. Bush’s New Home?
  • Turtle Creek – Dredged and Groomed
  • Enjoy Seeing Dallas Neighborhoods with Google Street View Maps
  • University Park’s Best Midcentury Modern Home

Home Tours and Events

  • Meet Architects of Homes on the AIA Dallas Tour 2017
  • Why 2017 AIA Dallas Tour of Homes Is Best Home Tour in Dallas
  • Dallas AIA Selects Oglesby-Greene-Designed Modern as Premiere Home
  • New Cities Summit Selects Dallas for International Conference on Cities.
  • AIA Dallas Tour of Modern Homes: Nov. 2-3, 2013
  • Braxton Werner and Paul Field Receive 2011 Dallas AIA
    Honor Award for Residence
  • Which Firm Received 2010 AIA and Texas Society of Architects Firm of the Year?
  • Celebrating the First Home Architect Gary Cunningham Designed
  • Best of Dallas Home Tours
  • Alexander Mansion Adds to Christmas Tradition
  • AIA Dallas Modern Home Tour

Organic Urbanism

  • Pandemic Changes More Than Where We Work and Live
  • Organic Urbanism Encourages Community, Embraces Nature
  • Organic Urbanism is the Cure for New Urbanism

Urban Growth

  • Organic Urbanism is the Cure for New Urbanism
  • Direction of Dallas and Urban Growth
  • Inclusive Urban Growth: Dilute the Strong or Fortify the Weak Neighborhoods

Favorites

  • The Characteristics of Homes People Love
  • Organic Urbanism is the Cure for New Urbanism
  • Private Air Features Crespi Hicks Estate Home
  • If only President and Mrs. Bush could have waited
  • President and Mrs. Bush’s New Home?
  • ​All Douglas Newby Blog Articles on Significant Homes, Neighborhoods, and the Evolution of Cities​
  • www.ArchitecturallySignificant.com
  • Featured Listings
  • Architecture
  • Neighborhoods
  • Firm
  • Media on Douglas Newby & Publications
  • Dallas Modern Homes for Sale
  • Contact Douglas Newby

Search Douglas Newby Blog Articles

Categories

Footer

Realtor Douglas Newby

Douglas Newby understands the economic and aesthetic impact of homes and neighborhoods that make us happy better than anyone in the county. I hope you enjoy my thoughts on architecture, home, desirable sites, neighborhoods, and the evolution of cities. Ultimately what is most important is a home that make you happy. If you have an interest in buying or selling a home or questions about the evolution of Dallas, call me at 214.522.1000.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Phone
  • YouTube

The #1 Realtor For Architecturally Significant Homes

Douglas Newby created the concept of architecturally significant homes and has registered trademark Architecturally Significant® and Architecturally Significant Homes®.

Follow or Subscribe for Insights from Dallas Real Estate Broker Douglas Newby

Douglas Newby provides insights and interprets neighborhoods, real estate, architecture, and the market, when other agents provide ubiquitous statistics.

The winter point of Pointillism is to accentuate t The winter point of Pointillism is to accentuate the design and capture the moment.  On a morning bike ride through Dallas neighborhoods, what better way to convey a season, capture a home, and express a feeling than with full, soft, white snowflakes falling against the backdrop of a home painted in a graphite tone trimmed in white.  This city home surrounded by nature on a rolling block was transformed by one of my favorite artists, Allison V. Smith, and her husband, the esteemed gallerist, Barry Whistler.  They took a home with great proportions that was perfectly sited, but at a glance might look like many other brick homes of the Dallas period.  Dramatic paint, landscaping, and a well-positioned porch bench make the home visually enticing and an inviting spot for a porch salon.  Here is a home that captures the essence of every season and the vitality of the city interlaced with nature—Organic Urbanism at its best.  Thank you, Allison @AllisonVSmith  and Barry @BarryWhistlerGallery, for your many contributions to heightening the aesthetics of Dallas. *Winter Pointillism
#DallasNeighborhood #Architecture #Design #HouseColor #FrontPorch #Home #Winter #Snowflakes #Pointillism #OrganicUrbanism #HomesThatMakeUsHappy
A Christmas tradition in our family started, not w A Christmas tradition in our family started, not when I received this speed-reading mechanical bear, but when my father did when I was a child.  He so enjoyed narrating and showing off this speed-reading bear to family, friends and neighbors stopping by over the holidays that he received a mechanical toy every Christmas from then on.  On Christmas Eve presents were opened, and on Christmas Day all the previous mechanical toys received at Christmas were brought out and put under the tree.  And what a collection it was—from Charlie Weaver mixing a drink, drinking it, and smoke coming out of his ears, to the Neiman Marcus nursing dog. The tradition continued after my father was gone and I began receiving a mechanical toy every Christmas. *Speed Reading
#MechanicalToy #ChristmasToy #Toy #Christmas #ChristmasGift #Bear #SpeedReading #ChristmasTradition #MechanicalBear #MidCenturyToy #Tradition #FamilyTradition #Father #Neighbors #Friends
The wonderful thing about being a real estate brok The wonderful thing about being a real estate broker is not just seeing great houses, but meeting and getting to know wonderful people. This Henry B. Thomson architect-designed house is a beauty.  Every time I go inside, I marvel at its proportions and why it instills such a pleasing sense of awe in a greater way than other important houses. Just having the opportunity to revisit that feeling would have been motivation enough to represent the seller and offer this architecturally significant home for sale. What was really thrilling was to represent a Hal Thomson homeowner who I met when I was in my 20s, when the homeowner was first looking at homes on Swiss Avenue. I have watched her renovate the home, maintain the home and contribute in a friendly and meaningful way to the neighborhood. This homeowner exemplifies why so many Swiss Avenue homeowners live on Swiss Avenue for decades—the comradery and friendly atmosphere, the proximity to downtown with skyline views popping up over the trees that grace the boulevard, the nationally celebrated neighborhood chef-owned restaurants, and the close proximity to the Santa Fe Trail and White Rock Lake. While the sale of this home invokes sentiment, it also brings joy to see this architecturally significant home being passed on to another homeowner who also loves historic homes, gardens, Dallas, and Swiss Avenue.  The great houses survive 100 years because of great owners. This Hal Thomson-designed home has another one. I always strive for gracious transactions. This important home was listed, sold and closed in 19 days with all the participants delighted with the outcome and the future of the home. *Baton Passed

#HalThomson #HenryBThomson #Historic #ArchitecturallySignificant #Architect #Architecture #SwissAvenue #HistoricDistrict #Dallas #Neighborhood #OrganicUrbanism
The city trails are busy. The tree-lined neighborh The city trails are busy. The tree-lined neighborhood residential streets remain tranquil. Isn’t it remarkable that one can ride a bike from White Rock Lake to the downtown Arts District through four linked single-family zoned historic and conservation districts and the Wilson Block Historic District on Swiss Avenue?  While the Sante Fe and Katy Trails also provide enjoyable links from White Rock Lake to the Arts District, can you think of another city where one can ride several miles through the quiet residential streets surrounding downtown? The conservation district of Lakewood, the historic district of Junius Heights, the historic district of Munger Place, and the historic district of Peak Suburban protect the aesthetics and scale of the homes. The single-family zoning protects the neighborhood, keeping the density, traffic and number of cars parked on the curb low. People are fleeing cities where there is no refuge from high density neighborhoods. Cities that have added density to their neighborhoods have experienced destabilization and deterioration like Dallas once had when the neighborhoods were zoned multifamily. In Dallas, this deterioration was reversed when the neighborhoods were rezoned single-family. There is a push by some at City Hall to allow ADUs and backyard rental houses on every single-family zoned lot in Dallas. This would have a devastating effect on our tree-lined neighborhoods. Cities are fragile. We need to continue to nurture ours. *Residential Link to Downtown
#ADUs #LowDensity #BackyardRentalHouses #TreeLinedStreets #BikeRide #Trail #Path #Dallas #Neighborhood #DallasNeighborhood #City #OrganicUrbanism
Architect C.W. Bulger was part of early 20th centu Architect C.W. Bulger was part of early 20th century architectural royalty. Bulger came to Dallas in 1905 to design a prominent church.  His classical architectural departure from the Gothic church style of the time prompted his invitation to design this neo classical church with Iconic columns and a gold dome for the Gaston Avenue Baptist Church that is now Criswell College. His son, Clarence, who had just graduated from the University of Chicago, joined his practice and in 1907 they designed the first skyscraper in Dallas, the Praetorian Building. The father and son architectural firm went on to design elegant and refined homes on Swiss Avenue and in Highland Park, Lakewood and Northern Hills. The foundation of Dallas architecture was made up of great architects that included C.W. Bulger, Hal Thomson, Lang & Witchell, C.D. Hill, Marion Fooshee, James Cheek and others. *Neo-Classical Sacred Design #CWBulger #GastonAvenueBaptistChurch #CriswellCollege #Architecture #Architects #Neoclassical #Dallas #SacredSpaces #Design
As a contractor once said, “If you are going to As a contractor once said, “If you are going to give a home a facelift, start with the eyebrows.” While renovation will make this charming Craftsman cottage fresher and more elegant, this home is also a good reminder that gentrification is underrated. It is worth noting that working class homeowners, teachers, journalists, and artists bought and fixed up houses in the neighborhood and helped change the apartment zoning to single-family zoning. This prevented large apartment complexes to be built that would have had expensive rent and cause the affordable homes like this one to be torn down. Gentrification from renovation is a slow process. Gentrification started 45 years ago in the now historic districts of Munger Place, Junius Heights, and Peak Suburban Additions. It is nice that this Junius Heights historic district home is now taking its turn at renovation. *Raised Eyebrow
#JuniusHeights #GentrificationIsUnderrated #EyebrowDormer #OldEastDallas #SingleFamilyZoning #Neighborhood #Dallas #Architecture #Historic #Revitalization
The Howard Meyer angle makes an impact on architec The Howard Meyer angle makes an impact on architecture, neighborhoods and Dallas. This great architect did all three across Dallas. At White Rock Lake in 1939 he set the tone for classic estate homes overlooking the lake. On Turtle Creek Blvd. he designed 3525 Turtle Creek, a residential high-rise, that gave panache, style and elegance to Turtle Creek that became known for prestigious high-rises.  In 1953, Howard Meyer with architect Max Sandfield designed Temple Emanu-El, a sacred space for a religious community, that became the pride of the Dallas community. In Greenway Parks Howard Meyer designed a midcentury modern home in 1950 that propelled the design of many other architecturally significant midcentury modern homes in Greenway Parks. In 1982 Jim and Carolyn Clark retained Howard Meyer to consult with on the home's renovation. The result was a midcentury modern residence that renewed interest in midcentury modern homes in Dallas. The current owners’ further renovation maintained this modern home as a beacon for the best architects in Dallas to come to Greenway Parks and design architecturally significant homes here. *Angle of Howard Meyer
#HowardMeyer #Architect #Architecture #GreenwayParks #OrganicUrbanism #HomesThatMakeUsHappy #ArchitecturallySignificant #modern #Mid-Century
Highland Park is associated with opulence, archite Highland Park is associated with opulence, architecture, Highland Park Village, success and prestige. What is easy to forget is that the township of Highland Park is attractive in the way any small town or village is attractive. Highland Park is made up of tree-tunneled streets and tree-lined boulevards, perfect for riding a bike, running, or walking through the many serene neighborhoods linked by parks. During the pandemic one often sees more people than cars.  One visits with neighbors and friends passing on the sidewalks and quiet streets.  Highland Park is surrounded by the vibrant neighborhoods of Dallas; however, homeowners can still enjoy the timeless attributes of a gentle neighborhood and natural beauty. *September Dawn
#September #Dawn #HighlandPark #Village #Neighborhood #StreetScene #Landscape #Photography #Parkway #TreeTunnel #Dallas #JoySpotting #OrganicUrbanism

Architecturally Significant Homes® and Significant Homes® and Architecturally Significant® are registered in the US Patent and Trademark Office. Text, Images, Photography - Copyright © 1994–2021 Douglas Newby. All rights reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Douglas Newby. Douglas Newby & Associates | 25 Highland Park Village #100-592, Dallas, TX 75205 | (214) 522-1000. Text, Images, Photography - Copyright © 1994–2021 Douglas Newby. All Rights Reserved. Website design by webplant.media