Before I began writing our Hot Property column, I would turn up my nose to mid-century homes. I didn’t see anything special about them.
Two years later, my opinions have done such a complete 180, Tony Hawk would shake my hand. There’s something glorious about an exceptionally well-maintained mid-century modern home, from the exposed wood detailing to the vaults and large windows letting in natural light.
I’ve fallen in love with this style of home, and I am clearly not the only one. Every December, we round up the most popular Hot Property articles from the past 12 months. Just like me, our D readers loved the mid-century properties in 2023. Of the 10 homes on this list, seven were built between 1951 and 1969.
So peruse, once again, folks, your favorite houses in Dallas this year. Gawk at the stunning architecture. Wallow in the knowledge that interest rates and growing home values are probably pricing you out of houses like these—I know I am. But, a little real estate voyeurism never hurt anyone, right?
(Editor’s Note: The houses on this list are organized chronologically and are not ranked in order of “hotness.” They all share an equal place in our hearts.)
1. A Munger Place Prairie Where Nooks and Crannies Abound
Status: Sold
Because Dallas is such a young city, it’s rare to find homes here built before 1920. But when you do, they rarely disappoint. Take this 107-year-old prairie in Munger Place. It has all the grandeur of a stately centenarian home—just look at those casings—but there’s a casual charm to it, too. I can imagine running around here, listening to the hardwood floors creak, or sitting on the front porch, waving hello to passersby.
2. A Creekside Mid-Century Oasis in East Kessler
Status: Sold
Just the creekside views of this Kessler MCM were enough to pique my interest. But as I scrolled through photo after photo of corrugated steel ceilings, floor-to-ceilings, and exposed brick, I knew it would capture our readers, too. Built in 1956 and renovated 10 years ago, this house should be a manual on how preservation doesn’t have to clash with expansion or modern living.
3. A Devonshire Mid-Century That Echoes Frank Lloyd Wright
Status: Available for rent
While working on this article, I sent multiple photos of this Devonshire home to my coworker with the comment, “She’s an MCM BEAUTY.” (Yes, all caps were necessary.) To which, that coworker replied, “the windowssssss i am drooling.” (Yes, six “s”es were also necessary.) She was right: There’s plenty to love about this airy and private estate, but the thing we just can’t get over are skylight, clerestory, and nearly floor-to-ceiling windows everywhere.
4. A 2022 Modern Ranch with Secret Rooms
Status: Sold
A foyer can make or break a house, and the rustic, yet modern, entryway in this 2022 ranch dropped my jaw. Constructed by D Home 2023 Best Builder Richland Builds, the North Dallas property gives us a little bit of hope for what a spec house can be. Oh, and did we mention the concealed rooms?
5. A Stunning Mid-Century Treehouse in Kessler Park
Status: Sold
A lot of real estate agents like to call a house a tree house, but this one is the real deal. Built into the side of a hill, this gem of a mid-century modern has views of tree trunks out some windows, and their treetops out others. “The trees are the artwork,” listing agent Janelle Alcantara said. “The windows are the frames framing the natural artwork.”
6. A Pretty Preston Hollow Ranch Worth Buying Twice
Status: Sold
I’ll be honest, I picked this house because I thought it was “just a pretty ranch.” I liked the big yard, the finishes, and the coffered ceiling in the living room. But after I chatted with then-homeowner Diane Carleton for an hour one July afternoon about the house, lingering on wallpapers and light fixtures, and that “like” deepened a little bit more into “love.”
7. An Adorable Mid-Century Rambler with Jetsons Energy in Casa Linda
Status: Sold
Casa Linda Forest might be a sleepy pocket of Dallas, but like many neighborhoods surrounding White Rock Lake, it’s a tight-knit community with cute little houses like this one. My first thought when I saw this classic MCM was The Jetsons. And sure, some readers probably disagreed with that assessment, but there’s something idealistic, like a Saturday morning cartoon, about its cantilevered roof, slatted wood, and clerestory windows.
8. A Devonshire Ranch With an Explosion of Color
Status: Sold
I always enjoy interviewing the homeowner for Hot Property, especially for this one. Then-owner Courtney Michalek and I chatted for a long time about her renovation process, the marble finishes, and her color philosophy. We talked wallpapers and the ideal number of kitchen dishwashers. You can see her personality in every space of this house, and it was clear our readers loved it.
9. A Quaint Junius Heights Bungalow with a Jungle Oasis in the Backyard
Status: Sold
At first glance, this 103-year-old Junius Heights home is just your typically quaint ‘20s-era bungalow. Cute, but unassuming. But, the character here is enchanting. The restored features, like front porch, casings, and original hardwood floors, are charming. The wisteria-covered patio is pure magic. And the jungle-like backyard is practically a portal, whisking you away from the Dallas prairie and to a prettier, better place.
10. A Mid-Century, Historic Masterpiece in Preston Hollow
Status: Sold
To quote one commenter on Instagram, this is “one of the greatest residences in Dallas.” This house is famous, and once glance at Zillow will tell you why. Designed by famed local architect Howard Meyer, the Preston Hollow estate is a showpiece of mid-century modernism. We don’t know what we love the most: the lattice work, the mix of modern and Japanese architecture, the wood and brick detailing, or the view.
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