Oaklawn: 2929 Oak Lawn

[NdoorTX]

this is a sweet little gem I came across on Candy's Dirt. It would be a GREAT improvement over what's there. I'm hoping this is closer to reality than concept.

https://candysdirt.com/2018/04/04/oak-l ... er-mother/


[img]https://candysdirt.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/2929-Oak-Lawn-Rebuild-1.jpg
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It would replace the Office Depot on Oak Lawn, next to the Melrose Hotel.

[Matt777]

This is lovely, great scale and attractive design. Developments like this should be lining Oak Lawn Avenue. But instead, the Oak Lawn Committee is helping line it with one story liquor stores (total wine) and drive thru Starbucks (congress and Oak Lawn) along with massive surface parking lots. All with the help of paid minion Angela Hunt. Sigh.

[tamtagon]

I don't know why that The Melrose doesn't go for gay vacation urban resort deal with a residential tower, but whatever about that.

Good to see the neighborhood conversion is steady and progressive.

[Dallas_Uptown]

Agreed...great scale and certainly an improvement over what's there!

[eburress]

Man, that's PRETTY, and I completely agree about the Melrose. I think it'd be a perfect anchor for that side of the gayborhood!

[ContriveDallasite]

Perfect scale, street level retail no 5 story parking podium. Place 15 more of these in and around Oak Lawn / Uptown and we have the workings of a real urban city.

[cowboyeagle05]

The OLC does not make development they simply provide an opinion on what is proposed. They have serious limits to what they can fight developers on so let's stop blaming them if Total Wine which has not even gotten approval for construction let alone its design or Starbucks which has not even put up a fence for demolition and could possibly never be built.

[Matt777]

The OLC does not make development they simply provide an opinion on what is proposed. They have serious limits to what they can fight developers on so let's stop blaming them if Total Wine which has not even gotten approval for construction let alone its design or Starbucks which has not even put up a fence for demolition and could possibly never be built.

Not totally accurate. They vote and provide guidance on zoning changes for the neighborhood, and whatever they decide is typically accepted and approved/denied by the City Plan Commission. They are much more powerful than people think, and they have been failing the neighborhood lately including approving a $20 million payday for Angela Hunt and her developer buddies for no apparent reason whatsoever. It had nearly 100% DISAPPROVAL from the neighborhood OLC members, but the board passed it anyway (how much of the payday do they get?). Even the OLC President Brenda Marks said, “Unfortunately it pains me to say the OLC got this one wrong. Had I been in town, I would have voted ‘no’ to the Lincoln deal.” Angela Hunt was also a paid representative for the zoning change needed to tear down 2 mixed use buildings (retail and residential mix) at Congress and Oak Lawn to build a suburban drive thru Starbucks. Keep in mind that NONE of these terrible examples of development meet zoning and require changes and exceptions, therefore we DO NOT as a city need to keep approving them. But, there's money being exchanged behind closed doors so the deals happen and the changes are approved. Not cool with me, personally.

The strip center that will be replaced by Total Wine has seen much better days but it least it is filled with locally owned businesses. It should be replaced eventually, but not for a development that takes the neighborhood backwards and for a national chain at that. Same story with the mixed use buildings being demolished for Starbucks drive thru and parking lot.

[lakewoodhobo]

Remember when Trader Joe's was interested in opening on this site? I wonder if their growth plans hit a snag but they would be perfect for West Dallas.

[The_Overdog]

It had nearly 100% DISAPPROVAL from the neighborhood OLC members, but the board passed it anyway (how much of the payday do they get?).

Wah wah wah. They didn't like that project for NIMBY suburbia issues - but they ain't in suburbia, they are just a few blocks from downtown. If that's an example of one the OLC got wrong, the Committee is useless and should be dissolved.

[Matt777]

It had nearly 100% DISAPPROVAL from the neighborhood OLC members, but the board passed it anyway (how much of the payday do they get?).

Wah wah wah. They didn't like that project for NIMBY suburbia issues - but they ain't in suburbia, they are just a few blocks from downtown. If that's an example of one the OLC got wrong, the Committee is useless and should be dissolved.

You're okay with giving away $20 million of taxpayer's money earmarked for helping spur development in areas that need it, to pay a developer for the privilege of developing a luxury apartment community in the most in-demand area of Dallas? People were against it for a multitude of reasons. Using the zoning rules is a way to have a clear reason to stop it. It wasn't just NIMBYism on this one. Using the density and height limitations was a way for all the people opposing this project to come together to stop the insanity. Insanity won. Because of good ol' fashion Dallas backroom $ exchangin'.

[tamtagon]

Is 2929 Oak Lawn asking for money, too?!?! I know there's the one on between Katy Trail and Carslile(?) asking for money, which is pretty ridiculous.

The request for substantial financial municipal participation in all of these developments is appropriate, without question, and that participation is pedestrian infrastructure improvements. Every single developer in this game benefits from better pedestrian mobility, and the city is falling further behind. Oak Lawn Avenue should be a pedestrian paradise.

[Cbdallas]

I would love to see Oak Lawn and Lemmon Ave. be lined with these type of developments and would not mind some of them to be real towers. The entire Oak Lawn area can and should be much denser than it currently is so it can merge into the taller urban part growing our way.

this is a sweet little gem I came across on Candy's Dirt. It would be a GREAT improvement over what's there. I'm hoping this is closer to reality than concept.

https://candysdirt.com/2018/04/04/oak-l ... er-mother/


[img]https://candysdirt.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/2929-Oak-Lawn-Rebuild-1.jpg
[/img]






It would replace the Office Depot on Oak Lawn, next to the Melrose Hotel.

[cowboyeagle05]

^Well, don't tell that to residents on the south side of Oak Lawn they are against anything that seems to creep upwards. On this northern side, a lot of affordable housing is being removed because of the Old Parkland effect/Parkland rebuild. I will say though there was a lot of derelict apartments between Oak Lawn and Wycliff Tollway and Lemmon. Ownership in this area charged great rates compared with Uptown but rarely took good care of their properties. Since then a large number of properties have begun to be renovated under new owners so they can get those higher prices but without the amenity cost. So its had its positives and negatives depending on who you are.

[The_Overdog]

The request for substantial financial municipal participation in all of these developments is appropriate, without question, and that participation is pedestrian infrastructure improvements

Most of the financial asks for these places is for infrastructure (sewer and water upgrades that are long past due, repairing sidewalks, burying various infrastructure) that is shared over the entire neighborhood and beyond, with the private developer building what should be the city's responsibility and asking for some reimbursement. I've not looked into that aspect of this particular building so maybe they are asking for tons of cash and the city gets nothing in return, but if so that's actually rare.

Of course the city can play hardball and say no, but that's either going to limit development (raising prices everywhere-which leads to more true luxury buildings) or raise prices on individual buildings, which kind of flies in the face of the 'we care about the lower income people?' story.

[JDumont146]

Supposed to break ground First Quarter 2020!

https://candysdirt.com/2019/05/08/oak-l ... -neighbor/

[R1070]

This will be a great addition to Oak Lawn Ave!

[DPatel304]

I love that we are finally starting to see some development in Oak Lawn. Very exciting to see this one come to fruition, as I feel like Oak Lawn Ave is highly underdeveloped.

[jsoto3]

Supposed to break ground First Quarter 2020!
https://candysdirt.com/2019/05/08/oak-l ... -neighbor/

[Cbdallas]

With this and the tower announced at Oak Lawn and Lemmon the tower barrier has been breached to the West side of Oak Lawn! Keep them coming.

[cowboyeagle05]

Hopefully, this will make it more likely for a push for some real walkability improvements to Oak Lawn. Right now its highway speedway access road. I've been hit by a car crossing in a crosswalk at Congress and Oak Lawn before.

[tamtagon]

Was a Trader Joes planned for this shopping center once, like a hundred years ago or something?

[LongonBigD]

Yes, they were going to take half of the Office Depot.

[JDumont146]

Was a Trader Joes planned for this shopping center once, like a hundred years ago or something?

Aw man really?? My wife and I live in the neighborhood behind this shopping center...and that would have been ideal. Much better than a Total Wine (as if there isn't enough liquor/wine shops on Oak Lawn already) and another Starbucks.

But the developments coming on Maple Ave and Oak Lawn are keeping me excited to live here.

[JDumont146]

Hopefully, this will make it more likely for a push for some real walkability improvements to Oak Lawn. Right now its highway speedway access road. I've been hit by a car crossing in a crosswalk at Congress and Oak Lawn before.

Yes!! My wife and son and I walk across that intersection almost daily to get to the Katy Trail and Uptown and Reverchon...and it's ridiculous how many times drivers have almost hit us at a crosswalk!

[tamtagon]

No time like the present... for the city to initiate the Oak Lawn Complete Street make-over with a redo of the Harry Hines, North Dallas Tollway and I-35 exchange.

[cowboyeagle05]

I doubt anyone will support it. Cedar Springs was supposed to get a complete street redo but the businesses fought it so instead, we are just getting some rainbow crosswalks and some sort of iconic entryway signage like its some sort of Disney land park. No real safety improvements. Vanity over substance. Welcome to Gay Dallas where copycat gay gimmicks are our goal, not real change. But I'm not bitter or dramatic about it or anything...

[eburress]

Here's another angle I hadn't previously seen, from today's DMN article:



I'm really excited for the impact of this and the Streetlights tower (if it happens) up the street.

https://www.dallasnews.com/business/rea ... rose-hotel

[willyk]

The article mentions a Toll Brothers tower on Congress. Do we a Topic for that one?

[eburress]

^^ Good question. The Toll Brothers tower was news to me too!

[skeets]

The article mentions a Toll Brothers tower on Congress. Do we a Topic for that one?

http://dfwu.dallasmetropolis.com/viewtopic.php?t=326

[Tivo_Kenevil]

^^ Good question. The Toll Brothers tower was news to me too!

It's actually old news. Another generic infill project; that's probably why u didn't remember it.

[eburress]

^^ Good question. The Toll Brothers tower was news to me too!

It's actually old news. Another generic infill project; that's probably why u didn't remember it.

You're right. Because of the thread we're in I wrongly assumed this was another tower actually on Oak Lawn.

[itsjrd1964]

Interesting how we actually have 2 projects in the city (this one, and the AMLI at Fountain Place) that are taking actual tangible steps to match, evoke, or be an architectural good neighbor to, an existing/adjacent building.

[jsoto3]

https://gff.com/view/oak-lawn-mixed-use/

Oden Hughes Oak Lawn is currently in the entitlement phase, seeking increased height and density to replace an existing big-box retail building with a mixed-use development that will strengthen the walkability and urban nature of Oak Lawn Avenue. Oden Hughes and GFF have proposed a predominantly masonry eight- story building that respects the scale and materials of the historic Melrose Hotel on the neighboring site to the north. The development will provide 6,000 SF of restaurant space opening to Oak Lawn Avenue and 330 residential units including live-work style ground level units along Dickason Avenue. Amenities including a pool will be located on level 3 within a courtyard opening to Oak Lawn. The building has been designed to preserve many of the mature live oak trees along Oak Lawn and Dickason Avenue.

[eburress]

I love pretty much everything about this project. Get 'er done!

[homeworld1031tx]

Beautiful building, hoping to see lots more like this

[cowboyeagle05]

Let's hope this project actually happens cause despite the great renderings on GFF's website I haven't heard a peep out of this project. The Office Depot is still open and I haven't heard employees being told any sunset date on their store closing as of yet.

[willyk]

It would be nice to see this architectural style continue in other new projects all the way down to Old Parkland and all the way up to Lemmon, giving the street a consistent 1920s feel and incorporating the historical buildings. The project on the Esquire site already fits the bill.

[cowboyeagle05]

Apparently the word is Office Depot is starting a store closing sale to empty out the store. I do not know if they closing the store solely to tear it down to start this project or just finally closing the store because they always intended to close it down.

[JDumont146]

In case this hasn't been updated already, Office Depot has been demolished and digging for the underground parking has been going on for a few days now. Can't wait to see this one!

[eburress]

^^ Thanks for the update! SUCH great news!

[Warrior2015]

In case this hasn't been updated already, Office Depot has been demolished and digging for the underground parking has been going on for a few days now. Can't wait to see this one!

So construction has started? How about the other high rise down the street from this one?

[DPatel304]

Yes!! I'm so glad to hear that, I'm looking forward to a few towers going up on Oak Lawn Ave.

[dzh]

That area near Crow's Parkland campus seems ripe for being a high rise corridor. Anyone know why there hasn't been more development down there?

[Tnexster]

Wow this discussion on this one started back in April of 2018, long time but glad to see it's still coming together.

[JDumont146]

I live two blocks from Crow's Parkland campus. It's not all high-rise, but there's an insane amount of development gong on over here - has been since we moved in. Tons of new townhouses, apartment buildings. Total wine and Starbucks are finished. 2929 Oak Lawn, the Warwick Expansion, and the Toll Brothers Highrise are all underway (Toll Brothers is already 10ish stories). No movement so far on the Streetlights Residential building. It's really transformed from kind of a sleepy side of Oak Lawn to a really bustling part of town.

[TacoTuesdays]

Some recent pics of the Oak Lawn area development:

https://dallasvoice.com/in-case-you-hav ... few-weeks/

[eburress]

I bet David Taffet is a lot of fun at parties...

Otherwise great photos/updates!