These chic neighborhoods extend north of downtown to Highland Park. With such good proximity to the best that Dallas has to offer, these districts have boomed since the mid-90s. Uptown is the district closest to downtown. Encompassing Victory Park, the State-Thomas Historic District and the West Village shopping area, The W Hotel and The Ritz, it is certainly Dallas’s most urbane neighborhood.
Uptown offers all kinds of urban ownership options, including high-rises, Victorian homes and row after row of townhomes and condominiums. If your view of the place to live is based on what you can walk to, Uptown is the place to be. It attracts a wide range of people in all different stages of life.
Turtle Creek Boulevard, the most beautiful drive from downtown to Highland Park, follows the scenic creek that is its namesake. Along the creek are two of Dallas’ most famous parks, Reverchon and Lee Park. The Katy Trial, a hike and bike trail, runs through the area on a ridge above the creek that had for almost a century been the Katy Railroad line. The internationally known The Mansion on Turtle Creek Hotel is located between the two parks.
With an excellent view of the glittering downtown skyline in the distance, Turtle Creek became the number one location for high-rise residential living in Big D in the 50s and 60s. Among the well-known buildings along the creek are 3525, for many years home to Academy Award-winning actress Greer Garson; the Goldcrest; the Claridge; and the Warrington. The 3525 building was designed by leading Texas modernist architect Howard Meyer, and the Goldcrest was designed by well know Dallas architect George Dahl.
Running parallel with Turtle Creek, Oak Lawn Avenue was traditionally the main shopping street in the area and a popular gay-friendly neighborhood. The Melrose Hotel still sits proudly after almost 100 years at the corner of Cedar Springs and Oak Lawn. Popular restaurants such as Parigi and La Duni are located on the avenue. North Oak Lawn (north of Lemmon Avenue) is bordered on three sides by Highland Park and offers a number of sophisticated townhome and zero-lot-line homes.
Values in these neighborhoods run the gamut. Residences at The Ritz, the W and The House in Victory Park range from $450,000 to over $4 million. Popular two- and three-story, two-bedroom townhomes go for $350,000 to $1 million on average, with many options from $300,000 to $500,000. Architecture varies from architect- driven modern city homes to traditional row houses. Wood or concrete flooring, tall ceilings, stone countertops and rooftop terraces are quite popular and prevalent.
