DCH Foundations: Inside The Beckley Apartments and Beckley Suite D
The Beckley Apartments and DCH Headquarters site is minutes away from the trendy Bishop Arts District. We acquired the space, 711 N. Beckley in 2004. This construction was built in 1959 and had 6 units in need of restoration. We say restoration because this building, like many in Dallas, had great bones. It was built of red brick and contained only one-bedroom and one-bath homes. This type of configuration is antiquated in that it does not use space in the ways that we use it today, but there was an opportunity and DCH saw this.
Rather than tear down the 711 N. Beckley, Dallas City Homes used the existing structure and reconfigured interiors from 6, 1 bed 1 bath apartments to 3, 2 bedroom, 1.5-bath townhomes. This renovation was completed in 2006 and in addition to completely modernizing the interior, the exterior was remodeled. Also, it included community features such as parking, picnic area, a community garden, and lots of enclosed green space. The occupancy structure differed as well with some residences sold and others reserved for price-controlled rent, called a fractured concept. DCH chose this concept as a means to keep housing attainable in light of the area's rapidly increasing property values and thus increasing rents.
Located on the same site as the Beckley community, Beckley Suite D serves as the headquarters of Dallas City Homes. DSGN architects designed Beckley Suite D which is exemplary of the feasibility of both high design and affordability. One of the biggest misconceptions about attainable and affordable housing is that it is unattractive or poorly designed, and Beckley Suite D, and all of DCH properties are anything but. Since DCH developments frequently are adaptive reuse projects, they have the unique challenge of modernizing properties while retaining the character of the neighborhood.
The Bishops Arts District and Oak Cliff is a location whose values are increasing due to gentrification and development in the area, however, like many burgoeoning neighborhoods, its occupants are threatened by increases in property values. Being able to provide housing where people work and foster community is one of our missions. It is one of the reasons DCH chose Beckley as their headquarters and is a perfect example of what Dallas City Homes brings to affordable and attainable housing and the Dallas Community.
Developments with a mix of renters and owners increase diversity and allow people to live and work in the areas.
The Beckley Apartments have proximity to DART Cars connecting it to Bishop Arts District, Methodist Dallas Medical Center, and to Union Station. What does this mean? For communities to grow and prosper, people who work in them, need to be able to live in them. When you lose residents due to increasing costs of living, communities become less diverse and the unique culture and history are at risk of being homogenized. DCH is committed to helping to preserve the Oak Cliff and Bishop Arts District culture, as well as affordability.
Dallas City Homes is a citizen founded 501c3 non profit whose board and leaders have devoted themselves to fostering diversity and building community in Southern Dallas for over 34 years. Beckley is an example of how we work on more than just new floor plans with great designs. We have worked with city leaders and neighbors to make sure that Oak Cliff and Bishop Arts District neighborhood continues to be a place where people can live affordably. If you would like to learn more or donate, click here!