Your Expert Guide

Lakewood: The neighborhood that keeps its small-town vibe

Agent Jason Clark.

Photo courtesy of Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty

There are so many great places to live in Dallas that it helps to have an expert on your side. The Neighborhood Guide presented by Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty gives you insider access from the agents who live and work there, providing in-the-know info about your possible new community.

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For Jason Clark, principal of the Vawter Clark Group, convincing people to move to his neighborhood is not a hard job. The real estate agent moved to Lakewood in 2018, and since then he's been an advocate for the area and its small-town, neighborhood feel.

"The walkability and community vibe are what I love about Lakewood," Clark says. "Everyone always has a smile, and there's a sense of pride and history wherever you go — whether it's having Italian food at Scalini's or walking through the Arboretum to see their beautiful seasonal displays."

Clark, who is an Accredited Luxury Home Specialist and has more than 22 years of experience in real estate, offered up a few of his personal favorites about life in Lakewood. Here's his guide to the area:

Where to eat & drink
"Terilli's is my favorite," Clark says, though Sister, The Heights, Scalini's, Mi Cocina, The Balcony Club, Hudson House, Meso Maya, and Smoky Rose each have their turn when it's time for a night out.

Where to play
White Rock Lake is the jewel of Lakewood, with many celebrities choosing to live right by its shores. You can walk or bike the 9.33 miles around it, or spend a day at the popular dog park.

The Santa Fe Trail connects White Rock to Deep Ellum, meaning you can head into the city for a concert or meal without ever having to get in your car.

Tietze Park boasts a playground, picnic area, pool, and sports facilities, making it a versatile option for recreation.

What to see
Spanning 66 lush acres, the Dallas Arboretum sits on the shores of White Rock Lake — the Cool Thursdays concert series always includes a stunning sunset over the water.

Though the 1938-built Lakewood Theater no longer shows movies, you can catch live music performances on its historic stage or knock down some pins in its bowling alley, Bowlski's.

Where to live
"Home styles here vary from traditional to transitional to modern," Clark says. "Lakewood is ever-changing, but always manages to keep its charming feel."

"I can’t say enough good things about Jason," says one client. "He took over a property that had been on the market for more than 300 days with no activity, and made a plan and executed it. He had the property staged, met every person that viewed it, and kept me well-informed."

Once the home went under contract, Clark took care of everything down to the repairs — all the seller had to do was show up to closing. And, even then, he had the title company go to the seller for signatures.

"In all my years, I have never been happier or treated better," the client says. "Jason’s knowledge, passion, and care for his clients is unparalleled and I cannot thank him enough."

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Jason Clark lives, works, and plays in Lakewood. For more information on buying and selling a home in the area, click here, email jclark@briggsfreeman.com, or call 662-279-9191.

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Million-dollar homes

Multi-million-dollar gated home community The Preserve rises in Frisco

Preserve

A palace on the prairie of The Preserve in Frisco

Construction has begun on a multi-million-dollar custom home community in Frisco. Called The Preserve, it's situated among PGA Frisco’s championship golf courses and near the Omni PGA Frisco Resort, with multiple phases that will roll out over the next few years.

The Preserve is part of Fields, a 2,500-acre development in North Frisco off the Dallas North Tollway. Fields is co-developed and owned in partnership with The Karahan Companies, Hunt Realty Investments alongside investors Chief Partners and Cross Tie Capital.

The development will feature retail, dining, entertainment, hotels, corporate offices, native Texas plants, flowers, trees, and 250 acres of park space. It's designed by the same team responsible for Plano’s Legacy West, led by Fehmi Karahan.

Phase 1 of The Preserve will feature 233 homes crafted by 10 North Texas luxury homebuilders: Alford Homes, Coats Homes, and Starside Builders have all begun home construction. The other seven are The Preserve Bella Custom Homes, Endurance Homes, Faulkner Perrin Custom Homes, Hawkins-Welwood Homes, Shaddock Custom Builders & Developers, Sharif & Munir Custom Homes, and Ventura Custom Homes, for whom construction will start soon.

The Preserve Frisco The Preserve in Frisco, soon to be covered with homes.The Preserve

Lot sizes range from 6,800 square feet to more than an acre. Home design options will incorporate high ceilings, open floor plans, glass walls, and seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor such as patios, infinity pools, and landscaped exteriors.

The surrounding area will have more than 2,000 new trees plus views delivered via design elements such as floor-to-ceiling windows and expansive outdoor living areas.

Many of the homes will address sustainability, health, and wellness with green architecture, energy efficiency, water conservation, and recycled building materials.

It will combine the privacy of a gated community with resort-style living, featuring amenities such as the PGA golf courses, 20+ miles of hike and bike trails, and the exclusive Brookside Club with an expansive swimming pool, state-of-the-art fitness center, tennis and pickleball courts and a playground.

Prices will start at $3,500,000.

Hunt Realty SVP Todd Watson calls it one of the most anticipated mixed-use projects in the area -- æa perfect location for discerning buyers seeking their forever home or a secondary residence" — although he's involved with the project so he's probably biased.

“As part of the Fields development, with prominent neighbors like PGA of America and the Omni PGA Frisco Resort, we know The Preserve will be one of the most sought-after addresses in North Texas," Watson says.

According to the Frisco Economic Development Corporation, Frisco’s population has increased by 500 percent in two decades and was recently recognized as the fastest growing city in Texas and third across the U.S.

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