Architectural History

Legendary architect Frank Welch's Dallas home goes on the market

A piece of architectural history is for sale. Legendary architect Frank D. Welch's Dallas home goes on the market September 25.

The 2,932-square-foot residence is at 3511 Cragmont Ave., in Northern Hills, just outside of Highland Park. Welch lived in the home until his death June 22 at age 90.

Built in 1997, it's a single-family, attached home with three bedrooms, three baths, an elevator and pool, and is surrounded by Ginkgo trees and red oaks. It offers private, gated access to the Katy Trail, two fireplaces, a two-car garage, and his-and-hers separate baths off the master.

Welch is credited with propelling the rise of "Texas Modernism" architecture. He designed homes, commercial buildings, churches, and schools. In Dallas, his body of work includes The Lamplighter School, First United Methodist Church of Richardson, and many private homes.

The residence features many of his trademarks: his signature use of St. Joe brick (from St. Joe Brick Works, Inc. in Pearl River, Louisiana), soaring ceilings, rift-cut oak cabinetry in the kitchen, and lots of glass, including skylights, which let in volumes of light.

"[Welch's] architecture can be characterized as modernism with a Texas accent, buildings that reflect the climate and native materials of the state. At the same time, they quietly bring into people's lives a certain cultural sophistication," says architect Max Levy in a release. "His townhouse on Cragmont Avenue in Dallas is a consummate case in point: an exterior easy on the eye in the glaring sun, and a shady interior of lofty, light-filled spaces, all of it subtly stitched together with refined details. There is something about this place that invites the inhabitation of books, artwork, music, and conviviality."

Welch received the 2017 Texas Medal of the Arts award, joining the ranks of Willie Nelson, Horton Foote, and writer John Graves as the state's most celebrated cultural luminaries.

"His buildings were like him," says architectural historian Stephen Fox in a release. "Low-key and tailored in appearance; energetic, insightful, exuberant, and inspiring in spirit."

The home is listed with Tricia Weiner, of Dallas-based Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate, for $1,179,000.

It will be open Sunday, October 1, from 1-4 pm.

For more information, contact Weiner at 214-535-1405 or tricia@daveperrymiller.com.

One of Frank Welch's design hallmarks are rooms that flood with light.

Photo courtesy of Stephen Reed Photography

One of Frank Welch's design hallmarks are rooms that flood with light.

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Coworking News

Dallas' Longhorn Ballroom unveils new renovated coworking studio space

Longhorn Ballroom

Dallas' famed Longhorn Ballroom music venue has unveiled a newly renovated multi-use building — located across the courtyard from the Ballroom at 200 Corinth St. — that's open for creative types in the fields of entertainment, restaurant, and the arts.

The Longhorn Ballroom was built in 1950 for country music legend Bob Wills and this Texas Playboys and was originally named Bob Wills’ Ranch House. It was managed for a time by Jack Ruby, then Dewey Groom who renamed it the Longhorn Ballroom and built it into one of the greatest venues of its day, hosting Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, Charley Pride, Pasty Cline, B.B. King, Ray Charles, Nat King Cole, James Brown, Al Green, Johnny Rodriguez, Freddy Fender and Selena.

This newly renovated building was originally constructed in 1950 as part of the Ranch House, where it served as a motel for touring musicians and according to a release, is rumored to have sheltered Wills' horse "Punkin."

You could office here. Longhorn Ballroom coworking space.Longhorn Ballroom

The two-story 26,000-square-foot building offers co-working spaces for entertainment professionals, attorneys, and managers. There are five 1-2 person offices available, along with a limited number of residential live-work studios for artists. There are also several small restaurant spaces available for "culinary creatives."

The largest available area — a former recording studio — could be transformed into a space for audio, film, or post-production work.

There is also a common area and kitchen, plus plentiful parking. Internet and utilities are included. Rates depend on space rented.

"As an entertainment attorney, there’s no better place for my practice than the Oficina co-work space at the Longhorn," says Decker Sachse, a current tenant. "It’s a great location with easy access and my clients love the vibe."

In the fall, the Longhorn will complete its third and final phase with the opening of a 6,500-capacity outdoor amphitheater along the banks of the original Trinity River. Called The Longhorn Backyard Amphitheater, it will host a series of soft opening shows this fall, starting with Randy Rogers on September 20. A grand opening with a full calendar of events will commence in the spring of 2026, providing the city with a state-of-the-art outdoor venue one mile south of downtown Dallas.

concerts openings