Bishop Arts District, Dallas

The Bishop Arts District grew around North Bishop Avenue and Davis Street in North Oak Cliff, about two miles southwest of Downtown Dallas. The commercial buildings date to the 1920s, the district declined from the 1960s to the early 1980s, and a long revival that began in 1984 turned it into a hub of independent boutiques, restaurants, bars and galleries. Around it you will find historic homes, newer infill houses, duplexes, condos and apartments, which fits buyers who want character and walkability close to downtown at a lower entry price than many North Dallas neighborhoods.

The lesson here is to check the overlay before you plan anything. Part of the district is on the National Register of Historic Places, and the City of Dallas created Conservation District 7 in 1992 to protect the architecture of commercial and residential buildings in the area. That protects character and can support value, but it also affects additions, materials and new construction. I confirm which rules apply to the exact lot so buyers and investors price their plans correctly.