PHOTOS: A Popular Preston Hollow Mansion Already Won Halloween, Spooks Neighbors

Dozens of larger-than-life skeletons, clowns, sharks and horror-movie icons were the only thing that slowed the roll of a local North Dallas cycling club Tuesday afternoon. As the group gathered for a selfie in front of the Preston Hollow home sponsoring the elaborate Halloween-themed setup, one man laughed and remarked, “I’m sure the neighbors love this.” 

The cyclists weren’t the only ones whose attention was grabbed by the festive decorations. 

Cars stopped in the street, and one mother slowly paced the length of the property while filming a video for her children. “I’d never try bringing them out here at night,” she said. 

That’s because the 9,000 square-foot DeLoache Avenue home has been known to draw a crowd. Last year, traffic in the neighborhood surged when the homeowners covered the mansion in top-to-bottom twinkling Christmas lights and a life-sized Santa’s sleigh with all twelve reindeer. Reports of property damage, people running across busy roads, and other nuisance activity ensued. 

The Dallas Police response required to handle the onslaught of onlookers ended up costing the city $25,000, and the Dallas City Council began the process of adding “some teeth” to a city ordinance that would prohibit the “extraordinary neighborhood event” from happening ever again.

The next briefing on that ordiance update is expected for later in October, council member Gay Donnell Willis, whose district includes the holiday-happy home, told WFAA. 

“For now, I ask that the neighbor with the display, as well as those who may visit this neighborhood, remember to obey the law and behave as the kind of neighbor they would wish to have near their own homes,” she said. 

While last year’s Christmas display did inspire the council’s crackdown attempt, the DeLoache Ave. homeowner told Fox4 the Halloween display wasn’t put up in the spirit of pettiness. He’s been putting up spooky scenes for the last three years.

We’ve asked the Dallas Police Department if the home has caused any calls from disgruntled neighbors or required any officer assistance so far this year, but have yet to hear back. Already, though, some onlookers are saying they heard about the display from TikTok, the platform that helped propel last year’s Christmas display into infamy. 

To the neighbors of DeLoache Avenue: good luck. The holiday season is just getting started.