DILBECK’S EAST DALLAS DYNASTY

The architect’s works are disappearing everywhere but here in East Dallas

Story by ELISSA CHUDWIN

PHOTOS BY RASY RAN

Often considered the city’s most prolific architect, Charles Dilbeck’s legacy is best represented in East Dallas.

In nearby neighborhoods like Preston Hollow and the Park Cities, Dilbeck’s small-statured houses are regularly reduced to rubble and replaced with more extravagant abodes. The residences that remain usually undergo extensive modifications or additions.

But dozens of the renowned architect’s works still stand throughout East Dallas, says Willis Winters, director of the city’s Department of Park and Recreation. At least 44 homes are scattered throughout Lakewood, Hollywood-Santa Monica, Casa Linda and Cochran Heights.

Winters has spent the past 20 years researching Dilbeck and is writing a book about the architect’s works. It’s a colossal undertaking because it’s estimated that Dilbeck completed 600 projects across the city between 1932-70.

“I don’t know if anybody else did that many projects,” says Donovan Westover, events and development coordinator at Preservation Dallas. “That reason alone makes him very, very prominent.”

Dilbeck’s success is an anomaly in many ways. Growing up in Arkansas, he worked alongside his father, a carpenter and builder, Winters says. He dropped out of Oklahoma A&M after two years, according to “The Drawings of Charles Dilbeck,” written by Jan Patterson, then a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Texas at Dallas. With limited formal training, Dilbeck dreamed up designs for Tulsa’s affluent oilmen when he was only 20 years old.

But his vision changed after the Depression rattled the nation. He relocated to Dallas in the early 1930s, where he spent most of his career creating homes for middle-class families instead of building estates for the city’s elite.

His lack of formal education became Dilbeck’s greatest asset. Instead of following the guidelines of classical design, he played by his own rules, Winters says.

Dilbeck drew inspiration from French, Spanish and English architecture, but his most common designs were French Norman and Texas ranch. He often incor- porated found materials, such as natural stone and wood, sporadically into each project. Because his style was so eclectic, his designs nearly are impossible to categorize.

The best way to describe Dilbeck’s work is idiosyncratic, although each project contains overarching characteristics, Winters says. His creations often included asymmetrical floor plans, oversized fireplaces, elaborate turrets and balconies.

“Most houses, even old houses, require a little bit of work to make it charming and make it something that’s reflective of who you are,” says Katherine Seale, chair of the Dallas Landmark Commission.

“With Dilbeck’s, there’s so much charm you don’t have to work as hard.”

Dilbeck’s work is admired by local architecture enthusiasts, but there have been few efforts to preserve his meticulously crafted homes. Winters doesn’t believe any of the residences in Hollywood-Santa Monica or Casa Linda are at risk, but he hopes Cochran Heights homeowners make an effort to preserve their character by seeking a conservation district or historical overlay protection from the city.

“He’s one of the most distinctive residential designers of houses I’ve ever come upon,” Winters says.

10 STORIES AT THE LAKE?

The project that, miraculously, no one protested

By EMILY CHARRIER

Building anything near White Rock Lake can be a political minefield — where opinions run hot and consensus is notoriously hard to find.

C. C. Young seemed to break that curse.

The Vista, a new 10-story assisted living complex, is currently under construction. Unlike other lake-side developments, it’s a project that no one seemed to mind too much. That’s likely because of the nature of the nonprofit’s mission;

C. C. Young has supported the elderly since the operation first opened in 1922.

“Who would be against this project? Support for seniors is really important to us, especially nonprofit care,” says Carol Walters, an East Mockingbird neighbor for 22 years. “[C. C. Young has] been here forever and they’ve always been a good neighbor to us, so it was easy to get behind this.”

C. C. Young’s mission is so varied it’s almost hard to define, but it describes itself as a “continuous care facility for people age 55 and older.” Programs range from medical, like memory care and skilled nursing care, to more social, such as the myriad classes and activities offered to keep seniors busy every day, both those living in the facility and those who live in the neighborhood.

“About 95 percent of our programs are open to the public,” says Denise Aver-Phillips, vice president of community outreach and a bundle of energy who knows every resident by first name.

“We are always inviting people in to enjoy the campus.”

But the needs of seniors in our neigh- borhood are growing and changing, C. C. Young CEO Russell Crews says. More want to live independently and are eager to move in for the sense of community. Currently, medical care is spread across four buildings, but in 2013 the team had a vision to consolidate all of it into one space that could flex to the needs of the community. It would be easier on patients and staff to keep the high-touch services under one 10-story roof. The other buildings will be reallocated to independent living.

“This will allow us to be dynamic,” Crews says.

Flexibility makes good financial sense. Traditional units are defined as memory care or assisted living or skilled nursing, meaning facilities are limited to the number of beds they have for each. At The Vista, all beds will be approved for any level of care, so that rooms can be allocated as needed if the demand for memory care is higher than skilled nursing, for example.

“I think we’re the only ones in Texas who are doing this,” Crews says. “But I am guessing you’ll see it more in the future. It just makes sense.”

It also made sense to the neighbors, the plan commission and the city council, who all signed off on the 325,000-squarefoot project, which will be adjacent to the existing Blanton Assisted Living center. Its location, tucked into a hill with underground parking, means it won’t be too visible from the lake, although residents will have some breathtaking views. To build The Vista, C. C. Young secured a $130 million loan in the form of bond.

“It was the third largest tax-exempt bond issued in 2016 in Texas,” Crews says.

White Rock Lake neighbors Grant Warner and Josh Williams of D2 Architecture are overseeing the project with builder Hill & Wilkinson. Construction should be complete by summer 2018, at which point clients can start moving in. In all, the addition will up C. C. Young’s capacity from 474 to 730 residents, who will have added services in the form of a new gym and pool for physical therapy, a rehabilitation garden, a meditation chapel and more.

“It will allow more people to age in their own neighborhood,” Aver-Phillips says.

C. C. Young offers tons of free activities, from movie nights to art classes to Wii bowling — find them all at ccyoung.org/ lifestyle-dining/campus-activities-calendars/

What

GIVES? SMALL WAYS THAT YOU CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE FOR NONPROFITS

EATING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

Foundation for C.H.O.I.C.E is dedicated to helping at-risk youth find their way in college. The program provides professional mentorship, guidance and scholarships to help students who might otherwise slip through the cracks. The third annual “College Scholarship Fundraiser” is set for Tuesday, April 11, and this year will take place at Terilli’s, 2815 Greenville Ave. The night includes cocktails and wine in addition to a silent auction with exciting offerings such as court-side tickets to the Dallas Mavericks. Tickets are $50 and all proceeds help provide scholarships for Dallas youth. Get all the details at foundationforchoice.org.

LAKE CLEANUP

White Rock Lake is our neighborhood’s crowned jewel, but it takes the whole community to keep it clean. On April 8, you can join other neighbors in the Second Saturday Shoreline Spruce-Up , hosted by For Love of the Lake. Interested volunteers can meet between 8-9 a.m. at the FTLOTL office in Casa Linda Plaza, and plan to pick up litter until noon. The nonprofit provides breakfast and all the clean-up supplies. Get more details at whiterocklake.org.

HELPING THE HOMELESS

Interfaith Family Services also hosts a second Saturday volunteer event, but this one is to assist homeless families in our community. From 9 a.m.-noon, volunteers are needed at the facility, 5600 Ross Ave., to clean up the children’s room, sort donations of food and clothing, and help out with other odds and ends that ensure the nonprofit run smoothly. Get more details at interfaithdallas.org.

KNOW OF WAYS that neighbors can spend time, attend an event, or purchase or donate something to benefit a neighborhood nonprofit?

Email your suggestion to launch@ advocatemag.com