Webmaster's Turtle Creek Condo FOR SALE

[Webmaster]

PonyFans,

19 years ago, my wife and I moved into the Gold Crest condominium on Turtle Creek. Our unit was formerly the office of famed architect George Dahl (the guy that designed all the art deco buildings in Fair Park, Southside on Lamar/Sears building, etc.). He literally chose the best space in the building he designed at the best location on Turtle Creek. I can literally walk out on my balcony, and if I chose to do so, could throw a baseball directly across Turtle Creek and hit the Kalita Humphreys theater, which was the last theater project by Frank Lloyd Wright. Anyway, our view looks directly out on the park, the creek and the Katy Trail. At about 45 degrees is the entire downtown Dallas skyline.

Our unit is a very spacious (about 1,000 sq. ft.) 1 bedroom. Over the years we completely gutted the place, moved walls, opened rooms, added a walk-in closet. Completely renovated and modern, the unit features keypad entry (i.e. no handle or visible lock, am thinking about upgrading to thumb scan to unlock/open) frosted glass door that opens automatically, marble and travertine entry, stainless steel appliances in the kitchen, 120" projection motorized screen that drops out of the ceiling, HD projector, THX Definitive Technologies surround sound integrated into the walls of the living room, numerous built-ins with tons of storage, frosted glass pocket doors, green marble bathroom with Jacuzzi tub. It's pretty awesome if I do say so myself.

Problem is that about 2 years ago, I moved my distribution business out of an office/warehouse and into our home. And the business has grown to the point where we're bursting at the seams (boxes are filling the kitchen). I think this would be the perfect residence for a single executive, a student whose parents would like to make a real estate investment in Dallas and keep their kid in a building that has 24-hour security, an SMU professor, a couple without kids, etc. It's a 6 mile jog or ride down the Katy Trail to SMU.

Prior to putting it on the market, I thought that since so many of our readers are in the area, I'd throw it out to you guys first. I'll post some interior photos shortly.

I'll keep this global post up for a few days then will move this thread to the "Around the Hilltop" forum. Prior to the downturn in the economy, renovated units in our building were going for $350/sq. ft. We're looking for around $280k. If you're interested, or would like to come over and take a look, please send me an email at [email protected]

[that's great raplh]

How much could you rent it for and what is the maintenance and taxes?

[Webmaster]

Home owners association dues are approx. $700 per month, which includes all utilities, homeowner's insurance for the building, most normal maintenance (changing air filters, basic plumbing, etc.) in your unit, maintenance and use of the common areas, valets, staff, property maintenance (yard/pool).

One of the reasons why we like living here is that with our busy schedule we can just walk out the front door and forget about it -- knowing everything is being taken care of. Landscaping is maintained flawlessly, pool is always clean, valets bring groceries up for my wife, they'll even wash your car for you.

Speaking of common areas, I should mention we also have a pool, the Garden Room (kitchen, small party area, gym, men's and women's changing rooms for the pool) and a Guest Suite that provides extra accommodations when you have guests in town.

Taxes are comparably very low (about $3,500 per year) compared to a traditional home, I guess because the land value (cost per acre or whatever) is divided by 12 (12-story building).

[Webmaster]

If we chose to rent it, it would be in the neighborhood of $1,800 - 2,000/mo.

[Eddie P]

I will vouch for this place. My best friend's uncle lives or lived here several years back and he had a pretty sick place. It took up a good portion of one the entire floors so probably not a good comparison. I think he was looking to rent it out for 5k a month. Anyway, very cool place. And awesome balconies. A pity i'm terrified of heights.

[Dutch]

um, why not go lease a cheap flex space for the distribution biz? there are cheap(er) rents in on the levee side of industrial/riverside, and you're close to the sylvan post office.

[diamond_tom]

a) What floor are you on? Is there an elevator?

b) Are pets allowed?

[Webmaster]

Dutch,

I started this all because I needed an office. Problem is, I couldn't find a decent one for less than $500/mo. On top of that, I basically work around the clock (esp. with PonyFans and other web-oriented businesses). I've gotten spoiled by working at home rather than driving back to my office at 8 or 10 at night to knock out more work.


diamond_tom,

a) we are on the 10th of 12 stories. There are 3 elevators (2 passenger and 1 freight). Since there are only 6 units on each floor, there's rarely a wait on an elevator. In fact, you rarely see other people on them.

b) Yes, pets are allowed. We have two cats and a bunch of fish. 2 out of 5 families on our floor have dogs. The walls in the building are basically soundproof. So you never hear them.

[smupony94]

um, why not go lease a cheap flex space for the distribution biz? there are cheap(er) rents in on the levee side of industrial/riverside, and you're close to the sylvan post office.

Why not set up camp at a table at 1st & 10

PonyFans Live all the time

[RednBlue11]

sending this to my father who is an architect and a big frank fan...im certain it will make him drool.

unfortunately he has recently relocated to Abu Dhabi to be a lead on the NYU-Abu Dhabi Campus project and will not be state side for any length of time for the next 3 yrs.

[b_caesar]

I'll keep this global post up for a few days then will move this thread to the "Around the Hilltop" forum.

Still looking for a buyer, I presume...