Cantoni Goes To The Dogs

All for the sake of Operation Kindness. That’s me and my Doodle, Bree — and last Thursday’s beauty pageant winner in the background, Miss Jada.

4300 Rheims Place

I have been playing with new tools that enable me to post multiple photos while trying to confirm the owner of this property. (Click on the photos to make them larger — cool, eh?) According to DCAD records, it belongs to 4300 Land Venture LLC and the deed transfer date was May 7, 2008. I snapped these pics of the tear-down on May 16. And of course everyone was up in arms about it. Everyone. But you know, I’m kind of a new house gal myself and I would really love to talk to the new owner, who sources tell me is Mack Pogue, founder of Lincoln Property Company and patriarch of one of the most charitable and giving families in town. I called his office to ask if I can get some details on what he’s planning on building and tell him I am dying to know who the lucky architect is. (No call backs, can you blame?) Dare I suggest we quit crucifying these people for the tear down and wait and see what they plan to create? I may be chairing an event soon and would really love a great house for a party…

Coming To Preston Center: First High-Rise With A (Bank) Drive-Through

TerraNova. Nine stories to be exact, 42 homes, and the drive-through will be subtly integrated into the design because Gerald Hines bought the property from Chase Bank (did that little sale help fund the Bear Sterns purchase?) at the corner of Douglas and Weldon Howell, across from 8181 Douglas. Signs went up yesterday in the rain. Kyle Crews ,Vice President with Allie Beth Allman, is marketing this boutique property for the developer, Randall Davis of Houston. Chase insisted their drive-through presence be maintained, smart move– it may net them more high-end clients who can drive through the bank on their way home! Expect, gorgeous high-end condo homes that “will turn a lot of heads in Dallas,” says Kyle Crews. In fact, since the sign went up yesterday, he’s received more than a dozen phone calls. (Hint: high profile physicians who beautify Park Cities residents and have offices in the area are very interested.) New construction, high ceilings, high end everything, underground parking, valet, concierge, 1800 to 3000 square feet (floor plans and square footage still being determined) prices from $700,000 to $3 million-ish for the penthouse. Design will be old world Italian, Mediterranean, sales center to open this fall. A $5000 deposit secures placement in the First Choice Club which entitles you to a $50,000 discount off the price of a Terra Nova home. Wow — wonder if that’s anything like the First Wives Club...

Pave Paradise and Tear Up A 7-Eleven

Readers are telling me they are upset that the 7-11 on Knox Street is going down to make way for a 9-story office building —

“with, of course – another freakin’ bank (to) be located on the ground floor. I’m seriously depressed. For those of us that live around Knox, that 7-11 is literally the only place close-by to buy last-minute groceries, wine, household items, etc.”

Steve Brown had the story today. Thanks to the irate neighbors who sent me pics. Fairly obvious, developers: those people need a quick grocery store over (yet) another ATM machine.

RE: House Porn Fix, Smooth Contemporary

The architect for Darren Kozelsky’s home on East Ricks at Northaven is Lionel Morrison. He’s a genius. He did not do Northaven United Methodist Church – that was, I believe, Design by Committee.

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Whose Buying Those Mega Million Dollar Homes?

These people. What do you think about that?

Bank Robber Standoff at Costco in Plano

Now this is scary. Why, because this is MY Costco. And I sent my family up there yesterday to pick up the usual paper towels and TP and buy cheap gas. Maybe I need to tuck a few pit bulls in the car with them next time. (What in the world is a bank robber doing at Costco — stocking up on rubber gloves?)

Second Homes Rule, But The Lift Is Going Down

Well, thank God it didn’t. I will tell you had that happened to me last week en route from Fort Walton Beach Pensacola, I would still be drinking. (PS: Just finished a grand piece on Second Homes you will love in the July/August issue of D Home. Pop quiz: where do people buy more second homes, in the city or country?)

Buy One House, Get One House Free

Only in California, of course. Maybe some Dallas developers ought to try this…(placing hand over mouth)…

What’s The Deal At The Stoneleigh Residences…I Mean Heritage?

A reader asks:

“Do you know what is going on with the Heritage at the Stoneleigh project?  Construction has been idled for several weeks.”

I don’t know but I want to. Anyone???

Buy Now, Buy Later?

Now, according to this article in MONEY and I think I agree. I have decided to sell an out of town property and buy an investment house in Dallas. Reason? I think we have seen the lowest interest rates we will see for awhile. A long while. When we were buying our first home in 1981, the Hunt brothers had cornered the silver market and interest rates were 18%. That slashed the size and cost of the homes we were looking at to two bedroom/one bath bungalowes. (Yes, I have a nice big home now, but we worked our way here home by home.) I didn’t get one piece of silver for a wedding gift, either, because folks could not even afford a sterling toothpick! (Wah, wah.) Anyhow, what do you think? Is this is a good time to sell? If I have an investment property in, say, San Antonio, should I lease it out or sell now? Would you buy in Dallas or park the cash?Â

More Pit Bull Reports: What Shall We Do?

This from a Reader:

“05/27/2008 was the date that two Pit Bull dogs weaseled their way through our wrought iron fence on Stanford Ave in Devonshire neighborhood. My wife and our two Greyhounds were in our garden, minding their own business, and were attacked by the two loose killing machines. Police, Animal Control, injuries to my wife and one Greyhound, etc. The dogs will be released from quarantine to resume their reign of terror. There has been no contact by the owner, no offer to pay medical and vet bills — just the arrogance of irresponsible owners. What do you think?”

I thought if someone was bitten by a dog in Texas now there is a tough new law that has some teeth in it, pardon the pun? (I guess I’ll have to research, sigh.)

Our Peggy Is A Star

My beautiful D Home colleague and Market Editor as seen at the Caroline Herrera event with George Cameron Nash in the current issue of Paper City. Peggy says I have all the fun with my FBO jet-setting to check out properties. Well, I wasn’t invited to this party, but Peggy was!

21 Million on Joyce Way — East of Preston Road?????

OMG, now this will change all our tax appraisals. (Thank you, wonderful Jeff Duffey!)

Tex In The City

I must congratulate Donna Harris over at Donna Harris Company LLC for her clever “Sex In The City-fied” press release depicting everything that’s happening in “Urbia” — downtown Dallas —this weekend :

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Twelve Miles Of Bad Road Stalled

An HBO series starring Lily Tomlin about the Real Estate biz in Preston Hollow (or Hallow as some readers like to call it) has apparently been shelved. If memory serves me, this is the show that had Lily consulting with Ebby Halliday and Ellen Terry for pointers. What I don’t understand is the title: what does 12 miles of bad road have to do with the Real Estate industry? Unless, of course, that is how long it takes us to get out of Preston Hollow and north of LBJ JUST KIDDING! Seriously, does anyone see this as a weird title or am I missing something?

Fisher Comments

So with gas prices going up could this mean a rise in interest rates down the pike? Oh, I feel like it’s 1982 all over again. Got shoulder pads?

This Place Is Like A Jail!

Well, maybe that’s because it IS a jail — posted on the ZILLOW blog, for sale in a tiny Maine town. Which got me thinking…. what are some of the more unique uses of Real Estate you’ve seen? I’ve been to a church that was a great Italian restaurant in Salt Lake City, a hospital turned condo somewhere. How weird would it be to live in a home that was once a public space? I’m fascinated by what Trammell Crow is doing over at the old circa 1913 Parkland Hospital and cannot wait to see the finished product.

This Just In

OMAR is my new boyfriend…NOT!

Big News About the Museum of Nature & Science and The W Victory Park

I can hardly wait…can I donate my husband’s heads?

– Officials from the Museum of Nature & Science will join Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert and a group of business, civic and community leaders for a major announcement related to the new Victory Park facility at a news conference Friday (May 30) at 10:30 a.m. at the W Hotel.  The historic announcement – which will chart a new direction for the Museum – will include remarks from Museum leaders, Mayor Leppert and the individuals responsible for the announcement (this includes a person of international stature). 

What’s Up Over At Abio?

Questions from an astute reader:

“1. Went to search Abio site this morning & it was morphed into realliving.com.

2. Noticed in Sunday DMN real estate announcements some top VK realtors have migrated to Allie Beth Allman.”

I will try to find out, meantime I’m smack in the midst of writing about Second Homes. So if anyone knows anything, ’bout Second Homes or Abio, please let us know!

Homeless Billionaire: New Trend For The Rich?

You’ve got to admire this man…

Save Money For Gas: Free Movies At Victory Park

Those nice folks at Victory are once again offering free movies on those awesome, state-of-the-art screens down at Victory starting June 3. All movies start at 7:30 p.m. In case you have not noticed, which means you’ve been living in Siberia, Victory Park features 11 large, high-resolution LED screens. Eight of these screens – 4 on each side of the plaza – move along horizontal tracks to allow for various configurations and motion possibilities. These screens will be combined in sets of 4 to create the Super Screens with HD resolution for the ultimate movie-going experience.

 

Best of all, free. Of course I’m sure they hope you pop in to spend what you’ve saved on that movie at one of the many concessions near the big screen. Or restaurants. Well, duh, it sure beats popcorn!

More info,  visit victoryparktheatre.com

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RE: Harris Lawsuit

Ebby’s got insurance I’m sure to cover this. Karen probably does as well… as for the O’Conners, check your homeowner’s insurance policy for magazine liability. (Not THAT kind of magazine!)

Harris Lawsuit

Here’s the whole story. Really, I think we ought to copyright it!