As conceptual renderings are my kryptonite, here's one that landed in the inbox late yesterday -- a look at what Wood Partners says it will build on that vacant lot at 1836 W. Davis, not so long ago the site of the Cliffwood Apartments. The address, of course, is familiar: A few years ago, you may recall, that 4.77-acre site was among four parcels in the possession of INCAP, which spent hundreds of millions in North Oak Cliff assembling acre after acre in the hopes of flipping and/or developing the land. INCAP higher-ups said of 1836 W. Davis: "The vision is to create another eclectic shopping district like Knox-Travis." But in the fall of '09, Amegy Bank foreclosed on the land, and that, for the time being, was that.
But earlier this year Cienda Partners stepped up with the checkbook, insisting it had would-be buyers lined up -- among them, as it turned out, Wood Partners, which earlier this year announced its intention to build the 207-unit Alta West Davis complex. But first the developer -- and architectural firm Good, Fulton & Farrell -- had to jump through a few hoops at the Landmark Commission before it could seal the deal.
Because, you see, 20 percent of the 4.77-acre sit sits in the Winnetka Heights Historic District. And city staff wanted to stop the new construction over a single issue, per last month's meeting agenda: "The proposed siding is hardi board, which is not allowed per the Winnetka Heights Historic Overlay." Only now it is. So now North Oak Cliff will get some fancy new digs come the first quarter of 2013, so they say: "a pair of three-story buildings featuring studio, one- and two-bedroom apartment homes, ranging in size from 650 to 1,200 square feet" with a "state-of-the-art fitness center, resort pool and bike shop with storage," per the release that follows.
Says Wood Partners director Todd McCulloch, "A lot of history has been germinated in that part of town and it is experiencing a resurgence, with locally owned and operated retail shops and chef-driven restaurants replacing old auto shops and long vacant buildings." Speaking of. Jump for the whole plan.
WOOD PARTNERS ANNOUNCES START OF CONSTRUCTION ON ALTA WEST DAVIS APARTMENT COMMUNITY IN DALLAS
Three-Story Community Will Offer Affordable Luxury Green Living and Architectural Integrity Consistent With the North Oak Cliff Neighborhood
DALLAS - Dec. 29, 2011 - Wood Partners has closed on the acquisition of a five-acre property in Southwest Dallas and will begin construction on Alta West Davis, a low-rise apartment community in the historical neighborhood of North Oak Cliff, in early January.
The 207-unit development at 1836 West Davis will include a pair of three-story buildings featuring studio, one- and two-bedroom apartment homes, ranging in size from 650 to 1,200 square feet.
Alta West Davis is located in North Oak Cliff, an older and established neighborhood where homes date from the early 20th century.
"Part of our site is in a historically designated district in the city and the architecture has to be sympathetic to the historical structures in the neighborhood. The neighborhood is predominantly craftsman or prairie style architecture and Alta West Davis is reflective of the historic nature of the neighborhood," said Todd McCulloch, a director at Wood Partners.
"A lot of history has been germinated in that part of town and it is experiencing a resurgence, with locally owned and operated retail shops and chef-driven restaurants replacing old auto shops and long vacant buildings. In addition to all the great things going on within walking distance in the neighborhood, we are centrally located five minutes from the center of Dallas, five minutes from Uptown and five minutes from the central business district."
Reflective of Woods Partners' commitment to building green, the company is pursuing LEED silver status for Alta West Davis. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council in 2000 to provide a framework for certifying green building practices promoting sustainable building and development practices.
Obtaining LEED certification is a rigorous process that involves a commitment to sustainable building from design through construction and includes as-built performance tests. During the construction process each LEED strategy and measure is verified by a qualified third-party green rater.
Alta West Davis will feature a state-of-the-art fitness center, resort pool and bike shop with storage. Selected units will include faux wood flooring and iPod docking stations with in-wall speakers.
Construction is expected to be complete by the first quarter of 2013. Cienda Partners is the seller, Wood Construction is the general contractor and Good, Fulton & Farrell are the architects.
"Alta West Davis will appeal to the rent-by-choice market. It's an urban infill lifestyle, but more authentic than the mass-produced product people will find in other areas. It's also reasonably priced at a discount of $500 to $1,000 a month below other infill neighborhoods," said McCulloch.
