Tour the Homes: Dallas' Swiss Avenue
Dream Drives : Episode DRD-112 -- More Projects »
Just two miles from downtown Dallas, Swiss Avenue is one of the finest early 20th-century neighborhoods in the Southwest. This "dream drive" received its name when a group of Swiss, German and French immigrants first settled in the area.
Figures A and B — The original location was the utopian community near Dallas known as La Reunion, but when that failed, the settlers moved to Swiss Avenue. With suburban popularity, the area went through classic urban decline. In the 1970s, residents and the city joined together in the name of urban renewal.
Figure C — This 1923 Italian Renaissance home sits in the heart of Swiss Avenue. An unusual and sophisticated design for the era, the entry is graced with Tuscany villa-inspired arched door and wrought-iron details. The decor is an eclectic mix of French and Italian styles. Figure D — The elegant dining room has inviting aubergine walls with gold trim. The current owners, the Masons, brought this home into the 21st century with state-of-the-art technology in the media room. The 1920s home, nestled in an Old World neighborhood is a true gem.
Figures E and F — The numerous windows are Marianne and Tim Howell's favorite feature in this 1924 Tudor. Inside, a symphony of 11 arches welcome guests to this Texas home. Hand-blocked wallpaper adds an Asian flair, and a mix of mahogany and oak 19th-century country antiques decorates the living room. European designs complement the English-style Tudor architecture of this Swiss Avenue beauty.
Figure G — This 1913 Prairie-style home, with its sloping porch supports and gabled entry, is located in the Swiss Avenue historic district. The traditional living room decor borrows themes from around the world--England, the Orient and the United States. Figure H — A Civil War chest that belonged to an ancestor of the owners, the Pattersons, accents the room. A second-floor family room was once a sleeping porch, but it was enclosed in the 1920s. This historic treasure continues to adorn Swiss Avenue.
Figure I — Jim Anderson's Queen Anne Victorian is a new addition to Swiss Avenue. Moved to the street in 1988, the house has undergone major restoration. He enjoys preservation and loved the location, so the Swiss Avenue lot made perfect sense. Figure J — The dusty rose Victorian is decorated with cherished antiques, mainly from Anderson's close friends and family's collection. The ladies parlor has become a bedroom, and the gentleman's parlor is an elegant sitting room. His lovely home is appropriately placed along this revitalized street.
* Note: Guest contact information subject to change.
Resources Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce
Website:
www.gdc.org/Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau
Website:
www.dallascvb.com Guests Virginia Savage McAlester
Author / Historian / Director, Preservation Dallas
Website:
www.preservationdallas.org/
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