Plans to transform an unattractive, outdated office building in the Lake Highlands area into a residential community are in motion, as Dallas wrestles with a growing demand for housing, particularly for those in the empty nester demographic. The Javelin Group, a local firm, submitted a zoning application to repurpose the property at 10405 East Northwest Hwy into homes potentially aimed at older adults seeking to downsize, these details emerged in reports by The Dallas Express and CandysDirt.com.
Zoning consultant Rob Baldwin shared insights on the bid, which so far has not seen any opposition and is set for a City Plan Commission review later this summer and said it's a "scary old office building, kind of ugly," and pointed out unsightly features like cell towers and an expansive parking lot, emphasizing the potential benefits of its redevelopment and Rob Baldwin told CandysDirt.com, "I'm stuck in a house that’s too big and too tall, but there’s no place for me to go," accentuating the need for suitable housing catered to the segment of Dallas's population looking to downsize.
The proposal by The Javelin Group involves creating about 30 to 40 residential units, possibly in the form of townhomes or patio homes, on the 3.6-acre site, a plan that aligns well with the adjacent medical facilities and retirement communities. The counsel of District 10's Kathy Stewart and Plan Commissioner Tipton Housewright, who reportedly exhibit general support for the housing initiative, has been sought to facilitate the project.
Highlighting the scope for development, Baldwin noted the expected price range for these new residences to be between $500,000 and $600,000, offering a downsizing option to individuals selling larger properties in the area, indeed this detail came to light in his conversation with CandysDirt.com. However, Dallas has found it challenging to keep pace with housing demands as compared to its North Texas neighbors, potentially owing in part to a notoriously slow permitting process, a concern echoed by The Dallas Express, ultimately this bureaucratic hiccup could cause delays and drive up costs for such development initiatives.
