Gratzie,

Marisa

Spectacular pool area so great I have an idea for the Germans: sell three-month pool memberships to non-residents. But make them submit vanity photos with the application.

When I lived in NYC, I hated schlepping groceries from the store up to my apartment, so we ate out much more often. Of course, we didn’t have concierge service. But then, when you downsize and it’s just one or two in The House, who needs a Sam’s closet?

Here’s a sample of living inside the House and what your home might look like day and night. The beauty of high-rise living is, of course, having that dramatic backdrop of glittering lights come sundown. Each unit also has generous balconies.

“It seems to me what makes for great cities in history are not measurements of safety, sanitation or homogeneity but economic growth, cultural diversity and social dynamism. A great city, as Rene Descartes wrote of 17th century Amsterdam, should be “an inventory of the possible,” a place of imagination that attracts ambitious migrants, families and entrepreneurs. Such places are aspirational - they draw people not for a restful visit or elegant repast but to achieve some sort of upward mobility.”

Dallas is ALL ABOUT upward mobility. I write for Joel Kotkin and know he is very bullish on the Texas economy, but for some reason thinks Houston is the cat’s meow. (Oh, the diversity, creativity, the business climate, urban living… but it takes you three hours to drive two miles.) My goal post-wedding: get Joel Kotkin to Big D.

And thank you, Mr. Allison: now I have time for a manicure!

This is a comment from a reader that was going to get buried. He/she already lives in a condo and is considering a move to “21″ — what can we tell them:

 ”I am a long time condo owner in another HOA but an considering moving to 21 Turtle Creek. Is it really bad? I am president of our Board and we try to treat owners courteously. We are very hands-on in our property management so we don’t go into debt but still maintain our property. Does 21 have frequent dues increases and assessments? We have had only 1 assessment and 5 dues increases in 26 years. Also, propably because we are not a high rise but are built around a courtyard, owners are friendly but not in your business. And, if you don’t want to valet park, can’t you just go in the garage and park yourself. Does everyone have to know all your comings and goings and who visits you and when? Thanks for any input.”

 

P.S. Ron, what is that clock?

The Foyer and one of three brand-new flat screen TV’s that are your’s to view as you hide out for a year.

D Sale this week is a lease deal so good I just had to spill the beans. The home is a trumped and tricked unit at The Vendome on Turtle Creek Blvd., just under 2,000 square feet, on the 15th floor with glorious views of the city overlooking Lee Park. The two bedroom, three and a half bath sky home is currently being leased by uber radio personality Ron Chapman and beautiful wife, Nance. (No, you don’t get to move in with the Chapmans.) The Chapmans have purchased a home in Dallas, have one year left on their lease and want to sublease this unit. And here’s the great deal: they are willing to take a major hit on their lease, offering this baby up for $4500 per month for a year. That includes all HOA dues and tips — the Vendome has a no-tipping policy for it’s beyond superb valet and delivery services. You cannot get a better address on Turtle Creek. You get quite simply everything — even, for those who need them, “mistress elevators” or so urban legend claims.

Now about that 50-yard bonus. The Chapmans own seats at the new Cowboys Stadium on the 50 yard line. They are offering two tickets to one Cowboys game to the realtor or agent who brings them a qualified tenant who fulfills the terms of the lease. Other stipulations also apply. Like the exclusion of the Cowboys season opener with the New York Giants — the Chapman already have plans to attend that game.

There you have it — would have been criminal to hold this in. Someone out there must need a chi chi home for a year and for $4,500 a month — well, the deal itself is so good it’s almost criminal. Your contact is Mike Kelly in Judy Pittman’s office at: 214.871.1110.

What do you think about Dallas and contemporary design? How modern is Dallas?

Note: If you know of a first time homebuyer who would like to share photos and their story, have them email Candye@dmagazine.com

MUSEUM TOWER ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF

BOBBY DHILLON AS DIRECTOR OF SALES

Future Residents Can View Striking New Icon of the Dallas Skyline

in the Heart of the Arts District

DALLAS, (March 6, 2009) – The developers of Museum Tower are pleased to announce the selection of Bobby Dhillon as director of sales for the luxury residential high-rise project. Dhillon brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the residential high-rise market, especially in Dallas, to the Museum Tower sales team.

“Bobby is a world-class sales professional with strong connections to the Dallas market,” said co-developer John Sughrue. “Museum Tower is going to change the Dallas skyline and there is no better person to lead the charge.”

Most recently, Dhillon served as director of sales for Tivoli Realty Services where he was responsible for launching The Residences at the Mandarin Oriental, Atlanta in addition to managing five other real estate projects in the Atlanta area. Prior to that, as an account executive with Traditions Management, Dhillon led the company in sales of the Residences at the Ritz-Carlton, Dallas project.

“I am excited to return to Dallas to lead the Museum Tower sales force,” said Bobby Dhillon, “It’s a transformative project in a class by itself that defines sophisticated urban living.”

“Mr. Dhillon knows Dallas and knows what high-rise residents are looking for,” said co-developer Dan Boeckman. “We are pleased that Bobby will lead our team of stellar sales professionals”

Dhillon is a graduate of The Citadel-The Military College of South Carolina. Prior to joining the real estate industry, Dhillon specialized in software sales.

For more information, please contact the Museum Tower Sales Gallery at 214.954.1234, or visit www.museumtowerdallas.com. The Sales Gallery is open Monday-Friday, 10:00am-6:00pm and Saturday-Sunday, 12:00 – 5:00pm.

Museum Tower is a 42-story luxury residential high-rise located in the true heart of the Dallas Arts District between the Nasher Sculpture Center and the Meyerson Symphony Center, offering its owners the rare distinction of living among the works of four Pritzker Prize-winning architects. Designed by renowned architect Scott Johnson of Johnson Fain, the contemporary tower will offer a collection of 122 residences in nine floorplans, ranging from an intimate 1,450-square-foot pied-à-terre to a sprawling 8,700-square-foot penthouse with 14-foot-high ceilings. The dramatic one-, two- and three-bedroom interiors-created by Dallas-based Bodron+Fruit and Booziotis & Company Architects-will feature floor-to-ceiling glass, direct-access elevators, outdoor terraces, and state-of-the-art Miele kitchen appliances. Offering unobstructed views of Dallas and fronting Woodall Rodgers Park, Museum Tower will provide an exceptional array of services and amenities, including a wellness center, outdoor pool, gallery, private gardens, as well as concierge and wellness services. Scheduled to break ground in 2009, Museum Tower (www.museumtowerdallas.com) is being developed by Brook Partners, Inc. and Turtle Creek Holdings, Inc.

Museum Tower Sales Gallery: The Sales Gallery, located at 2112 Flora Street at Olive Street, is open Monday-Friday, 10:00am-6:00pm and Saturday-Sunday, 12:00-5:00pm. For more information, please contact the Sales Gallery at 214-954-1234 or visit www.museumtowerdallas.com.

Did 3525 Turtle Creek ever obtain Landmark Status?

What about that multi million dollar assessment to improve the interiors and exteriors?

What is the total number of units in the building?

What physical changes are proposed for the exterior elevation?

Has anyone agreed on anything?

P. O’B Montgomery & Company

“We are looking at doing whatever makes sense,” Phil Montgomery told me today, when asked if the residences would resume construction. “The market has clearly changed.”

Prescott’s Jud Pankey says the garage is complete and open, and construction attention will now focus on the courtyard. This month’s Architectural Digest feature on the hotel and colorful designer, Carleton Varney and his mentor, Dorothy Draper, has generated national interest in the project; Varney is coming back to Dallas in the spring to create more buzz.

If another developer were going to be engaged for this project, the most likely time would be when construction financing is being negotiated, said Pankey by email.

“Phil Montgomery introduced me to Apollo almost ten years ago, and we all try and assist each other when faced with a challenge,” wrote Pankey.

What we are doing, said Montgomery, is fairly routine.

According to sources, Al Coker is no longer handling marketing for The Stoneleigh Heritage Residences; Cynthia Pharr is handling media relations.

Two major investors in CondoDomain.com, a Boston-based condo marketing and search portal site, are suing the site’s founder and the company. (You can sue your own company?) CondoDomain morphed into a real estate brokerage one year ago. The investors charge the business model change — i.e. becoming a broker — violated an existing business contract.

It seems those investors are also brokers –  managers at Otis & Ahearn Inc., a large Boston real estate brokerage firm that specializes in the marketing and sale of condos.

Anthony J. Longo Jr., founder and CEO of CondoDomain.com, says it’s all about choice  —  here’s the letter he sent out yesterday to real estate press:

“With all the new supply of nice condos coming online over the last few years, when they sell via the MLS they push up the average, as compared to the days when fewer of these new units were selling via MLS. So I don’t think that the units themselves are appreciating much right now, but rather the mix of units sold now includes these new and expensive units.”