Developer Sees Corporate Relocations as Just Beginning

DALLAS—East Dallas has experienced a major transformation during the past four years, attracting a dominant collection of modern homes. And, this is exemplified by a new unique luxury condominium development off of Ross Avenue that is near completion.

Minutes from downtown, Deep Ellum, Baylor Hospital, Lower Greenville, Interstate 30, North Central Expressway and Henderson Avenue, Ascend Condominiums bring a unique housing concept to the booming East Dallas corridor with attached and detached two-story homes. Land purchased in 2012 by developer Lardner Group Development allows for greater creativity and less dense housing.

Lardner has a strong legacy of transforming blighted areas and bringing positive change to Dallas urban living. Beginning in 1978 through 2007, M. Thomas Lardner was instrumental in the successful development of Uptown and the State-Thomas neighborhood. Today, Uptown is known nationally as a successful urban development and has been transformed from a blighted area to one of residential and commercial success.

With these successes and lessons learned in State-Thomas, Lardner Group looks to work with local residents to bring together multiple neighborhoods under the East Village Dallas branding and restore character and activity to neighborhoods throughout East Dallas.

“We purchased the land in anticipation of a strong housing comeback and it's time to present something no one else can,” says CEO Colin Lardner. “Each home will be one-of-a-kind. We have learned over the years that good design is good business. People appreciate homes that are well thought out and not right on top of each other. So far the pre-sale inquiries have been overwhelming.”

In phase one, where six units could be built side by side, the developer chose to do five units that allow for more yard space as well as detached housing. The developer engaged local architectural firm FAR+DANG because of the firm's willingness to explore and stretch the limits in design.

“The success of these projects depends more on how well the developer and the architect understand the trends of lifestyle and how those trends fluctuate within the city and the economic cycles,” says principal Bang Dang.

Area builder, Dwellings, a Kagan Company, is handling construction management, quality control and design consulting. Buyers can select certain finishes for a limited time.

Lardner Group Brokerage will represent the developer and present each home to the market. The first phase of five units should be complete by mid-October.

“I like building great teams,” said Lardner, “and each member of this team has been extremely successful in his own right over the years. I also like pushing the envelope. And these guys do too. Everyone worked smart and cooperatively to accomplish an innovative design and living experience like no other.”

Buyers will benefit from the proximity to major employers, highways, entertainment, restaurants and the arts. The development is a three-minute drive from the Dallas Arts District as well as the more bohemian Henderson Avenue, Lower Greenville, Baylor Hospital, downtown and major transportation arteries. Local restaurants, taverns and grocers include Bangkok City, Jimmy's Italian, Mai's, Vietnam, Henderson Tap House, The Porch, Mesero, H&G Supply, Sprouts, Trader Joe's and Kroger.

Lardner Group Development has been contracted by the land partnership to develop nearly 2 acres in the area off of Ross Avenue during the next two years. The developer is also working on a new development off of Henderson Avenue.

“We have studied this city for some time and know its pulse. There is much more to learn and do, and our firm is excited to be a part of the transformation of Dallas now and for years to come,” Lardner tells GlobeSt.com. “The most obvious reason is that Dallas is leading the nation in job growth. In nonfarm employment Dallas, is more than double the national growth rate (first) according to the bureau of labor statistics and second in number of jobs added. The more people we add, the more attractive we are to other corporate relocations and vice versa. The momentum will build upon itself and we will see a terrific compounding of talent and economic improvement. Equally as important, at least in my mind, is the transition we are seeing culturally and demographically. One of the things that makes cool cities cool is diversity; diversity of race for sure, but also diversity of thought, age, income, interests, arts, talents, etc. Dallas is growing in jobs, people, opportunity and diversity. We are a more interesting city. 30 years ago when Uptown was named and beginning, Dallas was a different town. We were primarily an oil and gas and real estate town with little interest in the arts and diversity. Today I talk to people who have migrated here who absolutely love Dallas' vast entrepreneurial opportunities in multiple industries and its growing arts scene. In roughly five years, I believe Dallas will be known as a tier one city along with New York, San Francisco and Washington DC. We are already seeing major financial, insurance and auto firms relocate here and I believe this is just beginning.”

DALLAS—East Dallas has experienced a major transformation during the past four years, attracting a dominant collection of modern homes. And, this is exemplified by a new unique luxury condominium development off of Ross Avenue that is near completion.

Minutes from downtown, Deep Ellum, Baylor Hospital, Lower Greenville, Interstate 30, North Central Expressway and Henderson Avenue, Ascend Condominiums bring a unique housing concept to the booming East Dallas corridor with attached and detached two-story homes. Land purchased in 2012 by developer Lardner Group Development allows for greater creativity and less dense housing.

Lardner has a strong legacy of transforming blighted areas and bringing positive change to Dallas urban living. Beginning in 1978 through 2007, M. Thomas Lardner was instrumental in the successful development of Uptown and the State-Thomas neighborhood. Today, Uptown is known nationally as a successful urban development and has been transformed from a blighted area to one of residential and commercial success.

With these successes and lessons learned in State-Thomas, Lardner Group looks to work with local residents to bring together multiple neighborhoods under the East Village Dallas branding and restore character and activity to neighborhoods throughout East Dallas.

“We purchased the land in anticipation of a strong housing comeback and it's time to present something no one else can,” says CEO Colin Lardner. “Each home will be one-of-a-kind. We have learned over the years that good design is good business. People appreciate homes that are well thought out and not right on top of each other. So far the pre-sale inquiries have been overwhelming.”

In phase one, where six units could be built side by side, the developer chose to do five units that allow for more yard space as well as detached housing. The developer engaged local architectural firm FAR+DANG because of the firm's willingness to explore and stretch the limits in design.

“The success of these projects depends more on how well the developer and the architect understand the trends of lifestyle and how those trends fluctuate within the city and the economic cycles,” says principal Bang Dang.

Area builder, Dwellings, a Kagan Company, is handling construction management, quality control and design consulting. Buyers can select certain finishes for a limited time.

Lardner Group Brokerage will represent the developer and present each home to the market. The first phase of five units should be complete by mid-October.

“I like building great teams,” said Lardner, “and each member of this team has been extremely successful in his own right over the years. I also like pushing the envelope. And these guys do too. Everyone worked smart and cooperatively to accomplish an innovative design and living experience like no other.”

Buyers will benefit from the proximity to major employers, highways, entertainment, restaurants and the arts. The development is a three-minute drive from the Dallas Arts District as well as the more bohemian Henderson Avenue, Lower Greenville, Baylor Hospital, downtown and major transportation arteries. Local restaurants, taverns and grocers include Bangkok City, Jimmy's Italian, Mai's, Vietnam, Henderson Tap House, The Porch, Mesero, H&G Supply, Sprouts, Trader Joe's and Kroger.

Lardner Group Development has been contracted by the land partnership to develop nearly 2 acres in the area off of Ross Avenue during the next two years. The developer is also working on a new development off of Henderson Avenue.

“We have studied this city for some time and know its pulse. There is much more to learn and do, and our firm is excited to be a part of the transformation of Dallas now and for years to come,” Lardner tells GlobeSt.com. “The most obvious reason is that Dallas is leading the nation in job growth. In nonfarm employment Dallas, is more than double the national growth rate (first) according to the bureau of labor statistics and second in number of jobs added. The more people we add, the more attractive we are to other corporate relocations and vice versa. The momentum will build upon itself and we will see a terrific compounding of talent and economic improvement. Equally as important, at least in my mind, is the transition we are seeing culturally and demographically. One of the things that makes cool cities cool is diversity; diversity of race for sure, but also diversity of thought, age, income, interests, arts, talents, etc. Dallas is growing in jobs, people, opportunity and diversity. We are a more interesting city. 30 years ago when Uptown was named and beginning, Dallas was a different town. We were primarily an oil and gas and real estate town with little interest in the arts and diversity. Today I talk to people who have migrated here who absolutely love Dallas' vast entrepreneurial opportunities in multiple industries and its growing arts scene. In roughly five years, I believe Dallas will be known as a tier one city along with New York, San Francisco and Washington DC. We are already seeing major financial, insurance and auto firms relocate here and I believe this is just beginning.”