Dallas’s Enduring Legacy: The Award-Winning Queen Anne Victorian at 1007 Moreland Avenue
In a city often defined by rapid change and new developments, the preservation of its historical fabric is an ongoing, often challenging, endeavor. That’s why when a home earns recognition from an esteemed institution like Preservation Dallas, it signifies not just a property’s inherent beauty but also a profound commitment to heritage. This year, one such remarkable residence, a Queen Anne Victorian gem nestled in the storied Peak’s Suburban Addition neighborhood of Old East Dallas, has been rightfully honored with a 20th Annual Preservation Achievement Award. However, it’s not just the home that is the victor here; Dallas itself reaps the true reward, gaining another testament to the enduring value of its past.
The struggle to preserve Dallas’s architectural treasures is a constant uphill battle. All too frequently, the immense value of the land upon which a historic structure rests overshadows any consideration for its historical significance or unique charm. Yet, thanks to the tireless efforts of organizations like Preservation Dallas, coupled with the vision of talented builders and passionate homeowners who understand the critical importance of restoration and preservation, our city is indeed making vital progress. The stunning Queen Anne Victorian at 1007 Moreland Avenue stands as a shining beacon of this progress, embodying the spirit of meticulous revival and respectful homage to history.
Constructed in 1902, this magnificent home was originally commissioned by Jacob Ullman, a distinguished businessman who had immigrated from Germany and made a name for himself in both Decatur and Dallas. Mr. Ullman and his wife, Nettie, along with their young daughters, made this exquisite Queen Anne Victorian in Peak Suburban Addition their family residence. Known today as the Ullman House, it served as a vibrant family home until 1919, six years after Jacob Ullman’s passing in 1913. This period marked the beginning of a long and complex journey for the house, one that would see it undergo multiple transformations before its eventual and glorious restoration.
A Century of Transformations: The Enduring History of Ullman House
The story of the Ullman House is as fascinating as its architecture. Initially built as a charming one-and-a-half-story dwelling, its original placement was at the prominent corner of Swiss and Moreland Avenues, then addressed as 706 Swiss Avenue (later renumbered to 4516 Swiss Avenue). Around 1922, a significant change occurred: the house was carefully moved to the rear of its lot and reoriented to face Moreland Avenue. This strategic relocation allowed for the front parcel of the original lot to be subdivided and sold, paving the way for the construction of a two-story multifamily apartment building. Historical records indicate that by 1923, the property itself had been reconfigured into four separate apartments, adapting to the evolving needs of urban living in early 20th-century Dallas. This multi-family configuration persisted for decades until the 1990s when, once again, the house was converted back into a single-family residence. However, these numerous adaptations and the passage of time had taken a considerable toll, leaving the grand old dame in a state of severe neglect and disrepair.
Enter Kyle Collins and Dr. Patricia (Patty) Simons of Lakewood Orthodontics, a dynamic duo with a proven track record in historic preservation. For Kyle and Patty, this wasn’t their first venture into the demanding yet rewarding world of renovating Dallas’s aging beauties. Their shared passion for history and an unwavering commitment to the vibrant character of their neighborhood fueled their continuous efforts. As Patty eloquently puts it, “Kyle and I have a passion for history and for this neighborhood. And as a dentist, I love to restore anything decaying!” This unique blend of historical appreciation and a professional’s knack for restoration perfectly positioned them for the monumental task ahead.
Their journey as renovators began even before their marriage, tackling a historic apartment building on Reiger Avenue that had long suffered from neglect. They skillfully transformed it into a modern, liveable fourplex, breathing new life into a forgotten structure. A few years later, as a married couple, they embarked on the search for their “forever home.” This quest led them to another significant challenge: a house on the corner of Gaston and Moreland. This particular property had been vacant for three decades, crudely divided into nine apartments, and was in such a state of disrepair that one could literally see through the attic floors down to the basement. After a grueling three-and-a-half-year restoration, most would have been content to rest on their laurels. But not Kyle and Patty.
Their keen eyes soon fell upon 1007 Moreland Avenue, which then presented a profoundly sorrowful sight. “The house at 1007 Moreland looked so sad with its monochromatic color scheme and rotting front porch,” Patty recalled. “It was crying out to be saved from demolition by neglect.” Driven by their conviction and deep connection to the neighborhood, they proactively reached out to the owner, expressing their interest should he ever decide to sell.
An Unwavering Vision: Rescuing the Ullman House
Several years later, the owner was indeed ready to sell. The timing, however, couldn’t have been more complicated for Patty and Kyle. They had just acquired a 1910 bungalow at 912 Moreland, a property of historical note as the childhood home of Alexandre Hogue, the renowned Dust Bowl artist. They were deeply immersed in the planning stages for its renovation. Despite the concurrent project, their commitment to preserving the Ullman House was unwavering. They moved forward with the purchase of the Queen Anne Victorian, formulating ambitious plans to meticulously restore it to its original splendor once the bungalow project was complete. And indeed, their subsequent renovation of 1007 Moreland Avenue proved nothing short of spectacular, showcasing their unparalleled dedication and restorative prowess.
The Art of Redesign: Blending History with Modern Living
“The biggest challenge was in the redesign,” Patty candidly explained. The house’s complex history – having been moved, divided into four separate apartments, and subjected to various structural additions like dormers and a partial rear second story – had left its interior severely fragmented and inefficient. The roofline presented a particularly thorny problem, featuring multiple valleys and an ineffective watershed system that had led to extensive rot and termite damage. Addressing these foundational issues was paramount to ensuring the home’s long-term integrity and livability.
The ingenious solution devised by the couple involved a significant structural intervention: “The solution was to square-off the western corner of the house, going two-stories high, and capturing all the additions to the second story in one roof-line,” Patty elaborated. This transformative approach not only resolved the complex roofing issues but also allowed them to create a seamless, modern, and highly functional living space with an exceptional interior flow, all while meticulously preserving the undeniable charm and historical character of the original Queen Anne Victorian architecture.
An integral and defining feature of any Queen Anne Victorian home is its grand front porch, adorned with distinctive columns. For the Ullman House, these columns presented a unique and particularly daunting challenge. Their capitals, the decorative top sections, were tragically crumbling, held together by nothing more than precariously wrapped wire.
“Casci Ornamental Plaster bailed me out,” Patty gratefully recounted, her dentist’s precision and problem-solving skills coming to the forefront. “Again, the dentist in me came into play! The capitals were made of plaster and horsehair. Considering I work with plaster all the time, I wondered just how hard this could this be. I just need to take the biggest impression of my life!” Armed with old dental instruments and epoxy resin, Patty embarked on a painstaking attempt to reconstruct the most intact capital. She carefully carved in missing details and reassembled the fragments. Her next step was to create a mold using rubber material – a process that took two failed attempts before yielding a usable result. However, extracting the original, fragile capital from her self-made mold proved exceptionally difficult, leading to a moment of temporary defeat. At this juncture, she wisely sought the expertise of Casci Ornamental Plaster. They not only confirmed the usability of her mold but also successfully poured the new capitals, providing a perfect replication of the intricate originals. Patty learned a valuable lesson in the process: “I used twice as much material as I needed, and made the mold too stiff for me to break anything out on my own. Another lesson learned!” This anecdote beautifully illustrates the blend of personal dedication, professional skill, and collaborative spirit that defined the entire restoration.
The interior restoration was equally thorough. During the process of removing an old attic fan, the original fireplace mantle was serendipitously discovered in one of the gables, albeit burned and missing its shelves – a testament to the home’s long and eventful past. Kyle and Patty stripped the Queen Anne Victorian down to its studs, undertaking a comprehensive overhaul of its plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems to meet modern standards. Wherever feasible, original trim work was meticulously salvaged, restored, and reinstalled, with missing elements carefully replicated to ensure a seamless match. The original hardwood floors, where intact, were lovingly preserved and reused, while new old wood was thoughtfully sourced and installed throughout the rest of the house, maintaining historical accuracy and a cohesive aesthetic.
A Revitalized Icon: Ready for Its Next Chapter
“This is one of the few remaining original Queen Anne Victorians in the Peak Suburban Addition Historic District,” Patty emphasized, highlighting the home’s unique significance. “Our goal was to return this house to its former glory as a livable modern single-family home while retaining and restoring its historic elements. The project consumed us for nearly three years, and every choice was made as if we would live in the house ourselves.” The result is a harmonious blend of old-world grandeur and contemporary comfort, distinguished by an exterior color scheme that boasts no fewer than seven vibrant colors, meticulously chosen to honor its Victorian heritage. “Overall, we love the blend of the historical aspects and modern amenities within the house, and the exterior color scheme,” she concluded.
Through their unwavering dedication and vision, Kyle and Patty have not merely renovated a house; they have resurrected a piece of Dallas’s architectural soul. The Ullman House now stands proudly at 4,012 square feet, offering four spacious bedrooms, four full bathrooms, and an additional powder bath, all infused with a sophisticated charm that belies its complex past. This magnificent historic Queen Anne Victorian at 1007 Moreland Avenue is now listed by Briggs Freeman Realtor Elizabeth Mast for $925,000, who, it must be noted, did an absolutely stunning job staging this exquisite home. For those who cherish historic homes, this represents an extraordinary opportunity to acquire a move-in-ready masterpiece, further sweetened by the benefit of a City of Dallas 10-year Historic Preservation Tax Exemption. It is an investment not just in real estate, but in a living piece of history, meticulously preserved for generations to come.
Karen Eubank is the owner of Eubank Staging and Design. With over 25 years of experience, she is an award-winning professional home stager and writer. Karen imparts her expertise through the popular Staging to Sell class and is the creator of the online course, The Beginners Guide to Buying Wholesale. Her boundless passions include dogs, international travel, gourmet chocolate, fine champagne, and, of course, historic homes. Having a father who was a spy, she is also remarkably adept at keeping secrets!