DEVELOPMENT DIGEST

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Proposal for Preston Center’s tallest building aims to create ‘24/7 presence’ in the commercial district

Story by Emily Toman

While discussion continues on the potential Transwestern development of a six-story luxury apartment community at the northeast corner of Preston and Northwest Highway, a much larger project is underway in the same corridor, and the re-zoning application already is headed to the city plan commission.

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At 8215 Westchester, on what is now a three-story medical office building, Crosland Group plans to construct Highland House, a 24-story residential tower with approximately 250 units, marketed toward empty nesters. It’s the “highest-end residential in Dallas,” says chairman and CEO Luke Crosland, who also was behind the luxury iLume in Oak Lawn.

The entire Preston Center area south of Northwest Highway is a planned development district (PD 134). This project needs re-zoning approval to allow for greater height and density, affecting only this particular site within the existing PD, which historically has catered to commercial uses.

“The zoning isn’t residential-friendly,” says Rick Williamson, Crosland Group’s director of development.

If approved, Highland House would be the tallest building in Preston Center by 30 feet but still lies within the residential proximity slope. The site is near the center of the commercial district, surrounded by other office buildings, so the tower wouldn’t cast its shadow into neighborhood yards.

District 13 Councilwoman Jennifer Staubach Gates — who recused herself from engaging in the Transwestern project over a conflict of interest — has been engaged with neighbors on Highland House. The developers have hosted two public meetings, and the reaction to the height and density increase hasn’t been nearly as contentious.

“I’m not getting much opposition,” Gates says. “I do believe that some type of residential is wanted in that area.”

The units would range from 1,200 to 1,400 square feet with rents starting around $4,000 a month. The building design includes five stories of parking garage — 30 percent more than what the city requires — and 19 stories of residential, which also includes climate-control storage, a dog spa, a private club and other high-end amenities.

Crosland has officed out of Berkshire Court in Preston Center for decades and says he has seen little change when it comes to creating a true urban lifestyle.

“Twenty-seven years, and nothing has changed,” he says. “The one thing the area’s missing is residential. We want to create a 24/7 presence at Preston Center.”

What about all the traffic?

The traffic study that Crosland Group submitted to the city suggests Highland House would actually decrease traffic in the area, compared to what’s there now.

According to projections from Deshazo Group, the engineering firm that conducted the study, the existing medical building generates 1,666 cars daily, and the proposed residential tower — which would house around 400-500 people — amounts to 1,181 cars entering and exiting each day. That’s 29 percent less traffic.

Williamson and Crosland say office buildings have a more intense impact on traffic than residential buildings. And the residents of Highland House would be retired folks, people who spend half the year at a second home, lock-and-leave types.

Plus, they’re likely to walk to most retail and service businesses within Preston Center.

Crosland insists that the back-up seen along Northwest Highway each day comes mostly from through-traffic drivers avoiding LBJ and other congested freeways at rush hour. He says he has just as much of an interest in relieving traffic as concerned neighbors.

“It’s a daily thing for us,” Crosland says.

That’s why he has worked with TxDOT,

University Park and the City of Dallas to install left turn lanes at Preston and Northwest Highway, which should be happening soon.

A warm reception for now

In its public meetings with residents and business owners around Preston Center, Crosland Group has fielded a few questions about the design of the building, parking and traffic, but no concerns have resulted in fierce opposition.

Preston Hollow East — the homeowners on the north side of Northwest Highway who are fighting the Transwestern proposal, is remaining neutral on Highland House, says president Ashley Parks.

The Highland House zoning case goes before the Dallas City Plan Commission this month. It also will need approval from the City Council.

At the time of publication, Transwestern still hadn’t filed its zoning application.

Stay In The Know

What is the future of the Preston-Northwest Highway corridor? Follow the latest updates at prestonhollow.advocatemag.com.

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ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

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White Rock North School

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