Powers: New Gaston Ave Townhomes

[Lakewooder]

from backtalkeastdallas:

Power Properties New Development
POWER PROPERTIES ANNOUNCES NEW DEVELOPMENT IN LAKEWOOD

2007-12-28 09:49:11 - Historic Dallas Neighborhood Gets First New Development in over 20 Years


Dallas, Texas December 27, 2007 ---- Braden and Craig Power of Power Properties, Inc., announced today that plans have been approved and the green light given by the City of Dallas for a $1.2 million development project of new Bungalow style homes to be erected on Gaston and Glasgow Avenues in the Lakewood neighborhood of Dallas.

The homes will be constructed
in Santa Barbara style with all the amenities previously associated with Power Properties. This is the first new construction on Gaston Avenue to take place in over 20 years and follows many months of design and planning revisions made to satisfy the Dallas Planning Commission.

Although a departure for Power Properties, this new direction will allow the neighborhood to evolve in an architectural style that compliments the existing architectural aesthetic and surroundings. 'The challenge was working with several architects at one time so as to comply with the needs of the City and meeting Planning Development codes-, said Braden Power. 'It is an exciting project and points us in a new direction.- Craig Power confers. 'This is a major milestone for Power Properties, and one we see as a welcome challenge that is a natural progression for us.-

Construction is set to commence January, 2008.

Power Properties has been a contributing member of the East Dallas Business and Residential Community for close to 17 years. Previous Powers' properties were purchased in extremely dilapidated conditions and then dramatically restored, with renovations often including foundations, wiring, and plumbing as well as the important "visual" features. These properties, which include several historic landmarks, have come to be known for their architectural appeal and high quality features including hardwood floors, high ceilings, quality materials, unique fixtures, high-end appliances, attractive landscaping, and secure parking behind ornate electric gates. To learn more about Power Properties, Inc., visit www.powerproperties.com


Contact Information:
Power Properties, Inc.



Contact Person:
Nicole Gill-Ottinger
PR Agent
Phone: 214-821-2618
email: email

Web: http://www.powerproperties.com

[tamtagon]

So, just to check, will these be inside or outside of the boundaries of a designated historic district/neighborhood/preserve?

How many bungalows will be built? I love everything about the thought that Power Properties would be leading the rennovation of the area; having a large contiguous swath of real estate with mandates to preserve the architectural history of the area will infuse new developments across East Dallas with the Craftsman asthetic. Too bad Henderson isnt getting a heavy dose of 1920s-40s design mixed with Green Building innovations of the 2000s. Room for shade trees, porches, attic fans, thoughtful orientation to the sun & wind could steer public regard away from that of a borderline frumpy, outdated [Craftsman] design to that of a very energy efficient and wonderfully welcoming & organic building design theme once again to pervade East Dallas.

[ruprecht]

So, just to check, will these be inside or outside of the boundaries of a designated historic district/neighborhood/preserve?

How many bungalows will be built? I love everything about the thought that Power Properties would be leading the rennovation of the area; having a large contiguous swath of real estate with mandates to preserve the architectural history of the area will infuse new developments across East Dallas with the Craftsman asthetic. Too bad Henderson isnt getting a heavy dose of 1920s-40s design mixed with Green Building innovations of the 2000s. Room for shade trees, porches, attic fans, thoughtful orientation to the sun & wind could steer public regard away from that of a borderline frumpy, outdated [Craftsman] design to that of a very energy efficient and wonderfully welcoming & organic building design theme once again to pervade East Dallas.
I'm confused - you are glad new developments will be infused with the Craftsman asthetic, but in the next sentence you say it's frumpy and outdated? Or do you mean what passes as Craftsman is frumpy and outdated, and "real" Craftsman is welcoming and organic?

I'm ambivalent about enforcing aesthetic styles. I think scale and setback are much more important to the feel of the neighborhood than a veneer of craftsman doodads. For example, the CityHomes development at Glasgow and Abrams - it's my understanding that the neighborhood committee encouraged CityHomes to change the style to "fit" with the neighborhood, so we now have a 4-story, high density townhome development with cheesy faux-tutor and craftsman trimmings. What's the point of putting fake rafter tails on a steel-framed building? I'd rather have high-modern houses of the same scale and setback as the surrounding houses than sardine-can townhomes with historic make-up.

I'm very pleased that the CityHomes development replaced the abandoned drug rehab clinic that was there before, and I can accept high-density townhomes in the neighborhood, I just think the stylistic concessions are pointless. I'd rather have a good example of a contemporary style than a bad example of a historic style.

As an aside, I can't believe people would actually buy those units in the back building that has no street frontage and is completely surrounded by other buildings with only about 15 feet separation. Those units get no natural light! Someone would have to be awfully attached to their stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops to live in a lightless, breezeless canyon like that.

[ruprecht]

Come to think of it, what do they mean by "Historic Dallas Neighborhood Gets First New Development in over 20 Years". The CityHomes Stratford, built 2005-2007, is 3 blocks away on the same street. They're splitting some pretty fine hairs if they're suggesting Glasgow & Abrams is a different neighborhood than Glasgow & Gaston. They're both in or adjacent to the Junius Heights historic district. Oh well, I guess that's what PR people do.

[tamtagon]

I'm confused - you are glad new developments will be infused with the Craftsman asthetic, but in the next sentence you say it's frumpy and outdated? Or do you mean what passes as Craftsman is frumpy and outdated, and "real" Craftsman is welcoming and organic?

Ya, that was confusing, sorry .... I meant to say that I think a lot of people look at Craftsman styled anything as frumpy, outdated and less desirable than more recent design/style stereotyped as a The McMansion. The Craftsman bungalow is one of personal favorites. I dont intend assert a distinction between "real" Craftsman, Craftsman-Lite and Craftsman Inspired.

[Lakewooder]

I think they meant the first new construction on Gaston in 20 years.

This development sits on an property not included in the new Junius Heights nor Swiss Avenue Historic Districts but virtually touching them.

Craftsman Bungalows have finally caught on in Dallas after lagging CA, WA and other states for several years...JH has some great ones, some at affordable prices.

[1999McKinneyAve]

Take a look at this article, and check the link included at the bottom of the story:

http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2007/may/07/dallas-developers-power-properties-legal-financial/

[UrbanBiker]

So, just to check, will these be inside or outside of the boundaries of a designated historic district/neighborhood/preserve?

How many bungalows will be built? I love everything about the thought that Power Properties would be leading the rennovation of the area; having a large contiguous swath of real estate with mandates to preserve the architectural history of the area will infuse new developments across East Dallas with the Craftsman asthetic. Too bad Henderson isnt getting a heavy dose of 1920s-40s design mixed with Green Building innovations of the 2000s. Room for shade trees, porches, attic fans, thoughtful orientation to the sun & wind could steer public regard away from that of a borderline frumpy, outdated [Craftsman] design to that of a very energy efficient and wonderfully welcoming & organic building design theme once again to pervade East Dallas.

With it being only a $1.2 mill development, I would guess maybe 6-8 homes? Not a lot, but it's a good start.

[JohnMcKee]

I'm very interested to see how their properties hold up long term. I've been to a few of theirs visiting acquaintances, they seem like nice properties but the underline structure concerns me. They spend a whole lot of money dressing up old apartment buildings but underneath all that paint there is still an old apartment building that was far from class A to begin with.

I just don't know how they do it at the prices they sell them at, but they might now something I don't know about flipping properties.

[lesterleelee]

The lot is currently vacant. Power has been moving dirt around on the lot for a number of years and until this past summer, had a sign announcing new townhomes 'coming soon'

Keep in mind that it's a small lot with a narrow frontage on Gaston and is technically outside the boundaries of Lakewood. It was once the site of a single-family home, and is across the street from Power's 6011 Gaston apartments and their corporate offices. With the size of the property in mind, there may be room for 6 - 8 townhomes on the lot.

Just another batch of East Dallas townhomes on a small slice of land.

[tinyorangepig]

quick update, there have been some bulldozers milling around and clearing the lot. this has happened a few times....last time it happened last summer, we got some erosion fencing around the lot, but this is a tad more promising with this news.

[Lakewooder]

http://www.peoplenewspapers.com/ME2/Audiences/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&AudID=0C60FF0FEDEB42CAA527EA9D73BBC489&tier=4&id=1F440C5D82BE423B92F644B96D113C01

Issue Date: January 25, 2008, Posted On: 1/25/2008

Brothers Plan New Homes For Gaston
Construction of bungalow-style houses to begin this month
By Christina Hughes Babb
Staff Writer

A vacant lot at the north corner of North Glasgow and Gaston avenues in Lakewood will hold $1.2 million worth of bungalow-style homes by late next fall, said Craig Power of Power Properties.

This month, Craig and Braden Power plan to kick off construction of three 2,400-square-foot homes on the 14,014-square-foot lot.

The homes will cost at least $450,000.

The project breaks new ground for the Power brothers as well as for the Lakewood community.

Power Properties, whose offices are across the street from the new development, has rehabilitated homes and apartment complexes in East Dallas for more than 13 years, but this will be its first new development.

“In the past, we’ve always worked with existing properties, renovating and then leasing. This is the first time we’ve really had a chance to construct and design homes from the ground up,” Braden Power said.

“It’s going to be in the middle of the most visible thoroughfare between downtown and Lakewood. We want to put something there that the neighborhood will like.”

Gaston Avenue hasn’t seen new development in about 20 years.

The brothers took on the project mostly because they were tired of looking out of their offices at a vacant lot.

“We did this, more than to make a profit, to just have something nice that we could look at from the office,” Craig Power said.

The homes will be built to standards for environmental safety by the National Association of Home Builders.

“There are pages of definitive requirements to qualify as a ‘green’ building — things like site recycling during construction, low energy consumption. These are Energy Star qualified homes,” said Stan Folsam, of Toscana Builders, the contractors heading up the construction.

Energy Star, a joint program of the Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy, offers consumers incentives to use energy-efficient products and practices.

In addition, the bungalow-style homes must be comply with standards in the area’s historical district, which restricts height, front yard setbacks, and design elements.

The homes will have yards larger than most town***homes, Braden Power said.

Neighbors seem content with the development plans.

“From what I know, they are good guys who care about putting nice things in the neighborhood,” said Nicole Dugan, who lives in nearby Lakewood Apartments, which was rehabilitated by Power Properties a couple years ago.

E-mail chughes@peoplenewspapers.com

[tinyorangepig]

another update, 2 fellas were working last week to layout the wooden framing for something that looks like the foundation. pretty far back from the street, but I guess that is a good thing. still looks like they have more to do to finish that task. the weather late last week may have set them back a few days. lets see if they keep working today.

[tinyorangepig]

Just a quick update, the foundation has been poured, and some plumbing has been done. Moving a little slow, but the foundation was great progress for those of us that have been staring at any ugly empty lot for sometime.

[torycronin]

I'm not really sure what makes these "Bungalows." The framing just looks like more standard town homes. Maybe four units.

That being said, if they are of high quality then I am all for them. Anything to clean up Gaston.

[clipper]

Work on this seems to have ground to a halt. Weeds 4-foot tall and no workers in sight.

[clipper]

And yesterday they were boarding up all the windows and other openings in the sheathing for what looks to be a long-term mothballing. You've got to wonder with this deal and another off Matilda that has been shut down how they expect those buildings to survive the winter with no exterior protection at all - just osb and insulation. Not good for whoever ends up with them. Or maybe that will just make it easier for them to bulldoze down the remains. Only time will tell.

[gc]

Thanks for the update clipper. What a shame.

[clipper]

It looked like they were actually using dry wall or old sheets of blueboard to nail into the window openings, etc.I do think there is a roof on both of these buildings so that should help. Boy, I wish I had that money to burn. I've also noticed that Mr. Powers is trying to sell his house on Turtle Creek for more than $10 milllion.

[lesterleelee]

I find it quite odd that they would mothball the project this far along into construction; the units appear to be at the point where they could be easily weathered-in at the very least.

[Milkman Dan]

lester - I wouldn't be surprised if some contractor or the GC didn't get paid somewhere along the way and walked off the job. They then probably just said screw it until the market starts to turn.

I've run into several contractors over the years who have claimed to have been stiffed by PP on work they did. Very poor management there.

[torycronin]

Drove by yesterday and this site looked very active.

[clipper]

Yes, after a long rest they are back at it again this a.m.

[BIMS 01]

So after almost two years there are now doors and windows on all the units.