Architectural History

Preservation of the “Time Capsule” that is “Greenland Hills”:

Popularly known as the “M Streets”, Greenland Hills was one of the first developments of Dallas to be platted and developed as a cohesive neighborhood. Established as a development in 1923, the developers set out to appeal to middle-class professionals who wanted to live in the expanding city limits of Dallas which was made possible due to the advent of the automobile. Its first decades of newly built homes happened in what would later be recognized as a remarkable and unique architectural style period for the United States. While the turn-of-the-century trend for the Craftsman style remained strong, a specific revival style was sweeping North America and is what is referred to now as “Tudor Revival”. In addition, other revival styles were also en-vogue including Spanish Eclectic, and Neo Classical. As a result of the second world war, residential building trends focused on more affordability in efficiency in construction in which the Minimalist Traditional style would prevail.

The resulting architectural style for Greenland Hills was overwhelmingly Tudor Revival. At over 65% at the time of the submission to become a Conservation District, Greenland Hills was noted to have the largest authentic collection of Tudor Revival homes in Texas, if not North America.

Why a Conservation District for Greenland Hills:

In the late 1980’s and 1990’s, Greenland Hills was experiencing a trend of demolitions, oversized new construction, remodeling projects and excessive large rear additions which were adversely changing the overall look of the Greenland Hills neighborhood. 

Members of the Greenland Hills neighborhood recognized the value of having an impressive concentration of Tudor styled homes and wanted to protect not only the architectural styles of the homes, but also the look and feel of the whole neighborhood. 

As a result of many neighborhood meetings and residents working with the city on the final conservation plan, on November 13, 2002, Greenland Hills became the 9th Conservation District of Dallas, TX. “M Streets Conservation District” addresses the look and feel of the Greenland Hills neighborhood. It addresses the work of remodeling and new construction of all 6 of the architectural styles that were originally built in Greenland Hills.

Those 6 styles are: Craftsmen, Spanish Eclectic, Neo Classical, Minimal Traditional, Ranch and Tudor Revival. It also addresses the later style identified as Contemporary to also preserve the look and feel of those homes and properties which were added in the later part of the last century.