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Charming, Trendy Small Town AirBnB Apartment https://ift.tt/2uHhoD7
Ready for a ‘Suite Thyme’? There’s a new place to stay in downtown Butler, PA. Suite Thyme (AirBnB) is officially open for guests!
Welcome!
Suite Thyme
Created with the help DIYShowOff partnerships, the second story of this 1890s home boasts a trendy newly renovated efficiency apartment loaded with charm, located just steps from the main thoroughfare of downtown Butler’s best eateries, antique shops, breweries and more. Perfect for festival-goers and travelers looking to enjoy a small town vibe just approximately 30 miles north of Pittsburgh, PA.
1st story…
Located on the main floor, Wellness Inspired Living is a quiet, by-appointment-only wellness workshop providing Aroma Freedom Technique, small chemical free living/healthy lifestyle events, reiki, relaxation sessions, iTovic scans and more. We’ll always let you know if there’s something scheduled during your stay and you’re always welcome to join in, free of charge, if interested.
2nd story…
This 2nd floor eclectic space is the efficiency apartment “Suite Thyme”. It’s loaded with personality and beautiful style. Inviting, warm and welcoming, all ready for your next trip to Butler!
One bedroom, two beds!
Sleeping arrangements include 2 queen beds in the bedroom + a queen sleeper sofa (officially sleeps 6) in the living room for peaceful night’s rest and sweet dreams,
a lunar retreat…
and a boho beauty…
Time to eat!
Cook up your favorite meal with local veggies from the farm market in a beautiful fully equipped modern kitchen area.
Coffee (tea, hot cocoa), anyone? Help yourself to the complimentary coffee bar. You may even find snacks in the pantry area. Open the cupboards. Get familiar. Make yourself at home!
Dine…
Downtown Butler is home to multiple restaurants with an eclectic menu ranging from your favorite comfort foods to gourmet dining. Ask about our favorites! But there’s room for 4 at the dining table, with additional seating for 3 at the breakfast bar if you’re staying in and whipping up a meal or ordering delivery.
Unwind!
Kick back on the comfy sofa with the tv remote. Choose your subscription and favorite shows utilizing the Smart TV feature or browse the limited selection on a very basic cable package. Or connect your phone to the blue tooth speaker and pump up the volume!
Quiet time!
Curl up in the cozy egg chair on the landing nook with a good book or your tablet and favorite game.
Soak your worries away!
Bathroom updates include the original but refinished vintage clawfoot tub for soaking away the tension. Escape! When was the last time you had a relaxing bath? It also offers up the traditional or handheld shower option. Bath bomb, fresh fluffy towels and bath essentials provided. PLUS! Suite Thyme has a la carte options including several ritual baths – baths with intention, herbs and essential oils. Coming soon!
Get to work!
Traveling to Butler for business? Connect your laptop at the USB charging station at the breakfast bar aka workstation and catch up on your work.
Seasonal:
…just a little gazebo/outdoor seating area.
Local Favorites:
Plus, it’s just a short stroll to Butler’s charming Main Street district!
Social Media:
Follow us!
Instagram: @SuiteThyme
Facebook: @ButlerSuiteThyme
#suitethyme
#suitethymeinbutlerexperience
#butlerdowntown #downtownbutler #butlercountypa
Suite Thyme amenities:
* Sleeping for up to 6 guests (2 queen beds, 1 queen sleeper sofa) * Full kitchen: electric range, refrigerator, microwave, toaster, coffee maker * Coffee, tea, sugar/sweetener, creamer * Small outdoor patio area in back * Free wi-fi * Free parking for 1 (maybe 2 if vehicles are small) * Smart TV * Bluetooth speaker * USB charging station * Clawfoot tub/shower * Heating // Central A/C * Self check in//keyless entry * Hair dyer * Bathroom Essentials * Iron * Essential oils diffuser and oils
Discounts:
Suite Thyme offers 20% off a weekly stay. Yay!
Around the Area:
30 mi. north of Pittsburgh, PA
Local breweries – walking distance
Restaurants – walking distance
Antique & boutique shops – walking distance
Brushes & Barstools painting studio – walking distance
Escape Room – walking distance
YMCA, library – walking distance
Talk of the Town Nail Salon – walking distance
The Art Center – walking distance
Maridon Museum- walking distance
Moraine State Park – Butler County
McConnell’s Mill – Butler County
Trampoline Park – Clearview Mall
Butler Freeport Trail – Butler County
Festivals (Jeep Fest, Italian Festival, Fall Festival and more, holiday parades) – walking distance
Butler Fair – Butler County
Butler Farmshow – Butler County
Saxonburg Carnival – Butler County
and more!
A la Carte Menu!
Coming soon! In an effort to familarize out of town guests with the downtown Butler, PA area, we’re partnering up with other local businesses by adding an a la carte menu with upgrades including a wedding weekend package, a romance bundle, photography sessions, reiki appointments, mani-pedi pampering, beer tasting, florist services and more – all from locally owned small businesses within walking distance to Suite Thyme.
Ready to make a reservation?
We are dedicated to ensuring you have a five star stay and look forward to hosting your “home away from home”.
BOOK SUITE THYME HERE!
What guests are saying:
“Beautiful Butler City Apartment is indeed a beautiful apartment. Everything was very nice, and the apartment was a beautiful, cozy place. The couch and beds were very comfortable, and the kitchen was very modern, with high quality, modern cooking utensils. Roeshel obviously takes a lot of pride in this apartment, and it shows. I was very pleased with my experience there.”
~Robert
“Beautiful apartment next to a cute down town! Our first Airbnb fell threw last minute and Roeshel was on top of getting back to us and having us stay with such short notice! So many extra touches to ensure a great stay! Lists of local places to eat and a calendar of things to do! If I could give more than 5 stars I would! Definitely recommend.”
~Brittany
“Roeshel’s place was simply spectacular!! Luxury surrounded us in every detail of her space. The kitchen was a dream…I enjoyed cooking up local vegetables. The beds were super comfortable with fabulous linens. And the decor was right out of a magazine! Roeshel’s special touches made this my favorite all-time AirBnB experience. We felt so at home and didn’t want to leave. If you’re lucky enough to get to stay here, I’m certain you’ll feel the same way.”
~Cathy
Holiday stays:
“My husband and I stayed at Roeshel’s for a trip home over the holidays and absolutely loved it! Roeshel met us for a quick tour when we arrived. The whole place is filled with cute little touches and smells amazing (all essential oils). She even had it decorated for Christmas and it looked incredible! The bed was super comfy and there are throw blankets to keep warm under and a full kitchen should you need it. We would definitely stay again!”
~Shannon
“This place had everything you need and more. I mentioned to the host that I was visiting my 2 1/2 yr old granddaughter for the holidays and I found a basket of perfect toys that were placed to share with her in the space. The house is sparkling clean and the atmosphere so inviting. Everything you need to have a nice getaway! I highly recommend staying here!”
~Christine
Wedding weekend:
“My husband and I booked Roeshel’s place for our wedding weekend. We used the space to get ready in and as a retreat after our long exciting wedding day. Her space is decorated beautifully with many amenities for her guests to use. One feature my make-up artist loved was the long table/desk with built in charging station – convenient!
Not only did she go above and beyond with her communication and little touches but she also surprised us, not once but twice! When we arrived the morning of our wedding she had laid out a little welcome platter of fruits and drinks with a congratulations sign hung on the fire place mantle. She also drew up a cute little note on the calendar on the refrigerator!
When we arrived back to the space late that night after having the most perfect wedding day, we were greeted with another surprise. The entry way and stairs leading up to the AirBnB had been decorated with rose petals and electric candles. This led to a decorated romantic set up outside the apartment door along with chocolates, drinks and chilled glasses. We cried. It was the most perfect ending to the beautiful day we had just shared. It meant the world to us.
Her thoughtful touches, ultra clean + super hip space and her timely communication make this easily the best place to stay in the Butler area. If you are in town or just want a little stay-cation I can’t encourage you enough to book Roeshel’s space!”
~Lizi
https://ift.tt/31R1QIW Roeshel
0 notes
Text
As Home Buyers Flock In, Fort Worth Embraces Its Cowtown Reputation
Amy Mikler for The Wall Street Journal
When Maridon and Jason Grochowski found a vacant lot in Rivercrest Bluffs, a gated community in Fort Worth’s River District, they signed on the dotted line right away. But they knew they had a long wait ahead of them.
The nearly 15-acre development on the Trinity River still lacked streets, curbs, sewers and other infrastructure when they bought their land for $375,000 in 2014.
Last year, the Grochowskis finally moved into their 5,000-square-foot, four-bedroom home. With views of the bluff overlooking the river and access to the hiking trails from their backyard, “you have the feeling of being out in nature,” says Ms. Grochowski, 47, a stay-at-home mother of two children and a real-estate investor. But when she and her husband, a technology consultant, are craving steak from Del Frisco’s or heading to the Kimbell Art Museum for an exhibit, Fort Worth’s Sundance Square in downtown and cultural district are only five minutes away.
Maridon and Jason Grochowski’s home in Rivercrest Bluffs, a gated community in Fort Worth’s River District.
Amy Mikler for The Wall Street Journal
Young professionals and families are discovering the charms of Fort Worth, a city of about 875,000 people with deep roots in the cattle industry. In recent years, this Cowtown has gone Uptown with the rise of upscale condo developments and gated subdivisions offering high-end amenities. Professionals coming from pricey cities outside of Texas are looking for larger luxury homes with a “yard for their dog,” says real-estate agent Martha Williams, co-founder of Williams Trew in Fort Worth. “If they’ve been living in an apartment in New York or L.A., they want a more a residential setting.” Proximity to the city’s cultural district and the Trinity River Trail system is also a draw.
The Grochowski kitchen in the 5,000-square-foot house, built by Fort Worth-based Village Homes and completed last year.
Amy Mikler for The Wall Street Journal
In 2013, the average price of a luxury home, defined as the top 5% of the market, was $672,825, with 358 properties sold. Today, its $716,729, with 651 luxury properties sold in 2018, according to MLS data provided by John Giordano, a residential developer and an agent specializing in luxury properties with Giordano, Wegman, Walsh & Assoc. This does not account for private listings or land purchases for new construction, he adds.
But the market is cooling. With more inventory recently, “the prices are softening a bit, especially in the high-end market,” Ms. Williams says.
Ryan and Jessica Dodson moved from suburban Mansfield to the Colonial Hills neighborhood of Fort Worth last spring. They gut-renovated and built an addition onto a 1942 home they purchased for just over $1 million. The design, inspired by one-story California contemporary ranches, features a wing for the couple’s three school-aged children and a master wing for themselves.
Ryan and Jessica Dodson gut-renovated a 1942 home in Colonial Hills near Texas Christian University.
Justin Clemons for The Wall Street Journal
“I was fairly particular on what I wanted,” says Mr. Dodson, 42, of the 6,400-square foot home near Texas Christian University. “We wanted something we could renovate and make our own.” While Mr. Dodson, a commercial real-estate developer, won’t disclose the cost of renovations, similarly sized, newly renovated homes in the area cost around $2 million, according to Realtor.com.
Those looking for new construction in the city are also buying in the Riverhills residential area and near the Clearfork development, an area that was once part of the historic Edwards Ranch, according to Mr. Giordano. New homes in Riverhills range from $800,000 to $3 million, and the development includes a Neiman Marcus department store and other luxury retailers as well as fine dining.
The Dodson kitchen includes a family heirloom table from Jessica’s grandmother.
Justin Clemons for The Wall Street Journal
For suburban-style homes, the gated Montserrat neighborhood on the city’s west side is another popular option because properties are still near the loop of Interstate 820 and offer an easy commute, says Mr. Giordano. The largest home on the market in the neighborhood is a 24,093-square-foot mansion, built in 2006, with an indoor pool and 13 living areas with traditional touches. It is listed for $7 million.
In the established Rivercrest neighborhood, Michael and Leigh Bornitz bought a French provincial-style house across from the River Crest Country Club for $600,000 in 2011 and spent 1½ years on renovations.
Leigh and Michael Bornitz purchased a home in 2008 and completed a 1 1/2-year renovation. The home has a French country-style exterior with a built-in ornamentation over the doorway.
Justin Clemons for The Wall Street Journal
Ms. Bornitz, a 41-year-old interior designer, says she took some risks with the décor. “The entry hall is lacquered green—I don’t think I can talk a client into those color combinations,” she says. Throughout the home she used bright wall colors, intricate woodwork and eclectic mix of vintage and modern furniture. In the kitchen, she had the original ’70s steel cabinets from St. Charles of New York repainted with a beige automotive finish to create a retro feel. Outdoors, she used vintage brick and a fountain to create a Savannah-inspired courtyard.
James, the son of Leigh and Michael Bornitz, rides a scooter between the dining room and the sunroom. Ms. Bornitz, an interior designer, experimented with colors and textures throughout the home.
Justin Clemons for The Wall Street Journal
Some sellers are capitalizing on demand for turnkey properties from out-of-state buyers who don’t have time to build. In the fall, Tiffany Figueiredo says she put her 3,800-square-foot home on the market for $1.2 million and it sold in 2½ months for close to asking price. The buyers, an-out-of-state couple, purchased most of the furniture as well. The contemporary home was built in 2011 a few minutes’ drive from the town’s Cultural District, home to institutions such as the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and Amon Carter Museum of American Art. Ms. Figueiredo, 49, who works as a travel adviser, downsized into a condo she previously used as a rental property.
A Venetian-themed wallpaper adds color to the guest room.
Justin Clemons for The Wall Street Journal
Lately, interest has broadened to land on the outskirts of Fort Worth’s more established neighborhoods. Steve Halliday, a commercial architect, purchased “a weird triangular lot” south of downtown Fort Worth to be close to his office in Fairmount for $30,000. To fit the layout of the land, he designed the home around a triangular swimming pool and spent another $130,000 on construction. “We used geometry to connect the lots and the lot lines disappeared,” says Mr. Halliday, who lives there with his wife and two children. Inside he created an open-plan living area with black granite countertops and black custom cabinets in the kitchen. In addition to the main home, Mr. Halliday, 39, built a separate structure for his mother-in-law to provide privacy.
For him, living close to the historic Fairmount neighborhood with restaurants and arts is key. “It’s a walkable neighborhood with more of an urban connection,” he says.
A Thing or Two about Fort Worth
Fort Worth started as just that—a fort. It was an Army outpost built in 1849 to protect the American frontier. Here, drovers trailed more than four million cattle through the city, earning it the name “Cowtown.” But that is all changing.
Exchange Avenue in the city’s historic Stockyards connects with its opposite pole, historic Magnolia Avenue. Both hangouts have vastly different characters crowding the streets on a Saturday night, but both were revitalized in recent years with their heritage in mind.
At the Stockyards cowboys and tourists grab a steak at Cattlemen’s Steak House and a dance at the colossal honky-tonk, Billy Bob’s Texas. On Magnolia, a passerby may spot a Range Rover parked in front of Craftwork Coffee, where two bearded men likely coiffed at the ever-popular Fort Worth Barber Shop step out for a vegan latte.
On Jan. 19, the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, one of the city’s oldest traditions, will take place for the last time in the beloved Will Rogers Coliseum—and event planners titled “Old School Cool.” In 2020, for the first time in 75 years, sparkling Dickies Arena will host the event.
Here, some spectators can be seen quaffing beer and eating a corn dog, while others sip Champagne in box seats while wearing an heirloom fur coat and $5,000 boots custom-made by Northside’s M.L. Leddy’s. It’s the spirit of Fort Worth wrapped up in one place.
—Jocelyn Tatum
The post As Home Buyers Flock In, Fort Worth Embraces Its Cowtown Reputation appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.
from https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/as-home-buyers-flock-in-fort-worth-embraces-its-cowtown-reputation/
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Beyond the Border: The Maridon Museum
A museum of far-East artifacts sits north of Washington County. Beyond the Border: The Maridon Museum
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Charming, Trendy Small Town AirBnB Apartment
Ready for a ‘Suite Thyme’? There’s a new place to stay in downtown Butler, PA. Suite Thyme (AirBnB) is officially open for guests!
Welcome!
Suite Thyme
Created with the help DIYShowOff partnerships, the second story of this 1890s home boasts a trendy newly renovated efficiency apartment loaded with charm, located just steps from the main thoroughfare of downtown Butler’s best eateries, antique shops, breweries and more. Perfect for festival-goers and travelers looking to enjoy a small town vibe just approximately 30 miles north of Pittsburgh, PA.
1st story…
Located on the main floor, Wellness Inspired Living is a quiet, by-appointment-only wellness workshop providing Aroma Freedom Technique, small chemical free living/healthy lifestyle events, reiki, relaxation sessions, iTovic scans and more. We’ll always let you know if there’s something scheduled during your stay and you’re always welcome to join in, free of charge, if interested.
2nd story…
This 2nd floor eclectic space is the efficiency apartment “Suite Thyme”. It’s loaded with personality and beautiful style. Inviting, warm and welcoming, all ready for your next trip to Butler!
One bedroom, two beds!
Sleeping arrangements include 2 queen beds in the bedroom + a queen sleeper sofa (officially sleeps 6) in the living room for peaceful night’s rest and sweet dreams,
a lunar retreat…
and a boho beauty…
Time to eat!
Cook up your favorite meal with local veggies from the farm market in a beautiful fully equipped modern kitchen area.
Coffee (tea, hot cocoa), anyone? Help yourself to the complimentary coffee bar. You may even find snacks in the pantry area. Open the cupboards. Get familiar. Make yourself at home!
Dine…
Downtown Butler is home to multiple restaurants with an eclectic menu ranging from your favorite comfort foods to gourmet dining. Ask about our favorites! But there’s room for 4 at the dining table, with additional seating for 3 at the breakfast bar if you’re staying in and whipping up a meal or ordering delivery.
Unwind!
Kick back on the comfy sofa with the tv remote. Choose your subscription and favorite shows utilizing the Smart TV feature or browse the limited selection on a very basic cable package. Or connect your phone to the blue tooth speaker and pump up the volume!
Quiet time!
Curl up in the cozy egg chair on the landing nook with a good book or your tablet and favorite game.
Soak your worries away!
Bathroom updates include the original but refinished vintage clawfoot tub for soaking away the tension. Escape! When was the last time you had a relaxing bath? It also offers up the traditional or handheld shower option. Bath bomb, fresh fluffy towels and bath essentials provided. PLUS! Suite Thyme has a la carte options including several ritual baths – baths with intention, herbs and essential oils. Coming soon!
Get to work!
Traveling to Butler for business? Connect your laptop at the USB charging station at the breakfast bar aka workstation and catch up on your work.
Seasonal:
…just a little gazebo/outdoor seating area.
Local Favorites:
Plus, it’s just a short stroll to Butler’s charming Main Street district!
Social Media:
Follow us!
Instagram: @SuiteThyme
Facebook: @ButlerSuiteThyme
#suitethyme
#suitethymeinbutlerexperience
#butlerdowntown #downtownbutler #butlercountypa
Suite Thyme amenities:
* Sleeping for up to 6 guests (2 queen beds, 1 queen sleeper sofa) * Full kitchen: electric range, refrigerator, microwave, toaster, coffee maker * Coffee, tea, sugar/sweetener, creamer * Small outdoor patio area in back * Free wi-fi * Free parking for 1 (maybe 2 if vehicles are small) * Smart TV * Bluetooth speaker * USB charging station * Clawfoot tub/shower * Heating // Central A/C * Self check in//keyless entry * Hair dyer * Bathroom Essentials * Iron * Essential oils diffuser and oils
Discounts:
Suite Thyme offers 20% off a weekly stay. Yay!
Around the Area:
30 mi. north of Pittsburgh, PA
Local breweries – walking distance
Restaurants – walking distance
Antique & boutique shops – walking distance
Brushes & Barstools painting studio – walking distance
Escape Room – walking distance
YMCA, library – walking distance
Talk of the Town Nail Salon – walking distance
The Art Center – walking distance
Maridon Museum- walking distance
Moraine State Park – Butler County
McConnell’s Mill – Butler County
Trampoline Park – Clearview Mall
Butler Freeport Trail – Butler County
Festivals (Jeep Fest, Italian Festival, Fall Festival and more, holiday parades) – walking distance
Butler Fair – Butler County
Butler Farmshow – Butler County
Saxonburg Carnival – Butler County
and more!
A la Carte Menu!
Coming soon! In an effort to familarize out of town guests with the downtown Butler, PA area, we’re partnering up with other local businesses by adding an a la carte menu with upgrades including a wedding weekend package, a romance bundle, photography sessions, reiki appointments, mani-pedi pampering, beer tasting, florist services and more – all from locally owned small businesses within walking distance to Suite Thyme.
Ready to make a reservation?
We are dedicated to ensuring you have a five star stay and look forward to hosting your “home away from home”.
BOOK SUITE THYME HERE!
What guests are saying:
“Beautiful Butler City Apartment is indeed a beautiful apartment. Everything was very nice, and the apartment was a beautiful, cozy place. The couch and beds were very comfortable, and the kitchen was very modern, with high quality, modern cooking utensils. Roeshel obviously takes a lot of pride in this apartment, and it shows. I was very pleased with my experience there.”
~Robert
“Beautiful apartment next to a cute down town! Our first Airbnb fell threw last minute and Roeshel was on top of getting back to us and having us stay with such short notice! So many extra touches to ensure a great stay! Lists of local places to eat and a calendar of things to do! If I could give more than 5 stars I would! Definitely recommend.”
~Brittany
“Roeshel’s place was simply spectacular!! Luxury surrounded us in every detail of her space. The kitchen was a dream…I enjoyed cooking up local vegetables. The beds were super comfortable with fabulous linens. And the decor was right out of a magazine! Roeshel’s special touches made this my favorite all-time AirBnB experience. We felt so at home and didn’t want to leave. If you’re lucky enough to get to stay here, I’m certain you’ll feel the same way.”
~Cathy
Holiday stays:
“My husband and I stayed at Roeshel’s for a trip home over the holidays and absolutely loved it! Roeshel met us for a quick tour when we arrived. The whole place is filled with cute little touches and smells amazing (all essential oils). She even had it decorated for Christmas and it looked incredible! The bed was super comfy and there are throw blankets to keep warm under and a full kitchen should you need it. We would definitely stay again!”
~Shannon
“This place had everything you need and more. I mentioned to the host that I was visiting my 2 1/2 yr old granddaughter for the holidays and I found a basket of perfect toys that were placed to share with her in the space. The house is sparkling clean and the atmosphere so inviting. Everything you need to have a nice getaway! I highly recommend staying here!”
~Christine
Wedding weekend:
“My husband and I booked Roeshel’s place for our wedding weekend. We used the space to get ready in and as a retreat after our long exciting wedding day. Her space is decorated beautifully with many amenities for her guests to use. One feature my make-up artist loved was the long table/desk with built in charging station – convenient!
Not only did she go above and beyond with her communication and little touches but she also surprised us, not once but twice! When we arrived the morning of our wedding she had laid out a little welcome platter of fruits and drinks with a congratulations sign hung on the fire place mantle. She also drew up a cute little note on the calendar on the refrigerator!
When we arrived back to the space late that night after having the most perfect wedding day, we were greeted with another surprise. The entry way and stairs leading up to the AirBnB had been decorated with rose petals and electric candles. This led to a decorated romantic set up outside the apartment door along with chocolates, drinks and chilled glasses. We cried. It was the most perfect ending to the beautiful day we had just shared. It meant the world to us.
Her thoughtful touches, ultra clean + super hip space and her timely communication make this easily the best place to stay in the Butler area. If you are in town or just want a little stay-cation I can’t encourage you enough to book Roeshel’s space!”
~Lizi
from https://ift.tt/2SI4XyY
0 notes
Text
As Home Buyers Flock In, Fort Worth Embraces Its Cowtown Reputation
Amy Mikler for The Wall Street Journal
When Maridon and Jason Grochowski found a vacant lot in Rivercrest Bluffs, a gated community in Fort Worth’s River District, they signed on the dotted line right away. But they knew they had a long wait ahead of them.
The nearly 15-acre development on the Trinity River still lacked streets, curbs, sewers and other infrastructure when they bought their land for $375,000 in 2014.
Last year, the Grochowskis finally moved into their 5,000-square-foot, four-bedroom home. With views of the bluff overlooking the river and access to the hiking trails from their backyard, “you have the feeling of being out in nature,” says Ms. Grochowski, 47, a stay-at-home mother of two children and a real-estate investor. But when she and her husband, a technology consultant, are craving steak from Del Frisco’s or heading to the Kimbell Art Museum for an exhibit, Fort Worth’s Sundance Square in downtown and cultural district are only five minutes away.
Maridon and Jason Grochowski’s home in Rivercrest Bluffs, a gated community in Fort Worth’s River District.
Amy Mikler for The Wall Street Journal
Young professionals and families are discovering the charms of Fort Worth, a city of about 875,000 people with deep roots in the cattle industry. In recent years, this Cowtown has gone Uptown with the rise of upscale condo developments and gated subdivisions offering high-end amenities. Professionals coming from pricey cities outside of Texas are looking for larger luxury homes with a “yard for their dog,” says real-estate agent Martha Williams, co-founder of Williams Trew in Fort Worth. “If they’ve been living in an apartment in New York or L.A., they want a more a residential setting.” Proximity to the city’s cultural district and the Trinity River Trail system is also a draw.
The Grochowski kitchen in the 5,000-square-foot house, built by Fort Worth-based Village Homes and completed last year.
Amy Mikler for The Wall Street Journal
In 2013, the average price of a luxury home, defined as the top 5% of the market, was $672,825, with 358 properties sold. Today, its $716,729, with 651 luxury properties sold in 2018, according to MLS data provided by John Giordano, a residential developer and an agent specializing in luxury properties with Giordano, Wegman, Walsh & Assoc. This does not account for private listings or land purchases for new construction, he adds.
But the market is cooling. With more inventory recently, “the prices are softening a bit, especially in the high-end market,” Ms. Williams says.
Ryan and Jessica Dodson moved from suburban Mansfield to the Colonial Hills neighborhood of Fort Worth last spring. They gut-renovated and built an addition onto a 1942 home they purchased for just over $1 million. The design, inspired by one-story California contemporary ranches, features a wing for the couple’s three school-aged children and a master wing for themselves.
Ryan and Jessica Dodson gut-renovated a 1942 home in Colonial Hills near Texas Christian University.
Justin Clemons for The Wall Street Journal
“I was fairly particular on what I wanted,” says Mr. Dodson, 42, of the 6,400-square foot home near Texas Christian University. “We wanted something we could renovate and make our own.” While Mr. Dodson, a commercial real-estate developer, won’t disclose the cost of renovations, similarly sized, newly renovated homes in the area cost around $2 million, according to Realtor.com.
Those looking for new construction in the city are also buying in the Riverhills residential area and near the Clearfork development, an area that was once part of the historic Edwards Ranch, according to Mr. Giordano. New homes in Riverhills range from $800,000 to $3 million, and the development includes a Neiman Marcus department store and other luxury retailers as well as fine dining.
The Dodson kitchen includes a family heirloom table from Jessica’s grandmother.
Justin Clemons for The Wall Street Journal
For suburban-style homes, the gated Montserrat neighborhood on the city’s west side is another popular option because properties are still near the loop of Interstate 820 and offer an easy commute, says Mr. Giordano. The largest home on the market in the neighborhood is a 24,093-square-foot mansion, built in 2006, with an indoor pool and 13 living areas with traditional touches. It is listed for $7 million.
In the established Rivercrest neighborhood, Michael and Leigh Bornitz bought a French provincial-style house across from the River Crest Country Club for $600,000 in 2011 and spent 1½ years on renovations.
Leigh and Michael Bornitz purchased a home in 2008 and completed a 1 1/2-year renovation. The home has a French country-style exterior with a built-in ornamentation over the doorway.
Justin Clemons for The Wall Street Journal
Ms. Bornitz, a 41-year-old interior designer, says she took some risks with the décor. “The entry hall is lacquered green—I don’t think I can talk a client into those color combinations,” she says. Throughout the home she used bright wall colors, intricate woodwork and eclectic mix of vintage and modern furniture. In the kitchen, she had the original ’70s steel cabinets from St. Charles of New York repainted with a beige automotive finish to create a retro feel. Outdoors, she used vintage brick and a fountain to create a Savannah-inspired courtyard.
James, the son of Leigh and Michael Bornitz, rides a scooter between the dining room and the sunroom. Ms. Bornitz, an interior designer, experimented with colors and textures throughout the home.
Justin Clemons for The Wall Street Journal
Some sellers are capitalizing on demand for turnkey properties from out-of-state buyers who don’t have time to build. In the fall, Tiffany Figueiredo says she put her 3,800-square-foot home on the market for $1.2 million and it sold in 2½ months for close to asking price. The buyers, an-out-of-state couple, purchased most of the furniture as well. The contemporary home was built in 2011 a few minutes’ drive from the town’s Cultural District, home to institutions such as the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and Amon Carter Museum of American Art. Ms. Figueiredo, 49, who works as a travel adviser, downsized into a condo she previously used as a rental property.
A Venetian-themed wallpaper adds color to the guest room.
Justin Clemons for The Wall Street Journal
Lately, interest has broadened to land on the outskirts of Fort Worth’s more established neighborhoods. Steve Halliday, a commercial architect, purchased “a weird triangular lot” south of downtown Fort Worth to be close to his office in Fairmount for $30,000. To fit the layout of the land, he designed the home around a triangular swimming pool and spent another $130,000 on construction. “We used geometry to connect the lots and the lot lines disappeared,” says Mr. Halliday, who lives there with his wife and two children. Inside he created an open-plan living area with black granite countertops and black custom cabinets in the kitchen. In addition to the main home, Mr. Halliday, 39, built a separate structure for his mother-in-law to provide privacy.
For him, living close to the historic Fairmount neighborhood with restaurants and arts is key. “It’s a walkable neighborhood with more of an urban connection,” he says.
A Thing or Two about Fort Worth
Fort Worth started as just that—a fort. It was an Army outpost built in 1849 to protect the American frontier. Here, drovers trailed more than four million cattle through the city, earning it the name “Cowtown.” But that is all changing.
Exchange Avenue in the city’s historic Stockyards connects with its opposite pole, historic Magnolia Avenue. Both hangouts have vastly different characters crowding the streets on a Saturday night, but both were revitalized in recent years with their heritage in mind.
At the Stockyards cowboys and tourists grab a steak at Cattlemen’s Steak House and a dance at the colossal honky-tonk, Billy Bob’s Texas. On Magnolia, a passerby may spot a Range Rover parked in front of Craftwork Coffee, where two bearded men likely coiffed at the ever-popular Fort Worth Barber Shop step out for a vegan latte.
On Jan. 19, the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, one of the city’s oldest traditions, will take place for the last time in the beloved Will Rogers Coliseum—and event planners titled “Old School Cool.” In 2020, for the first time in 75 years, sparkling Dickies Arena will host the event.
Here, some spectators can be seen quaffing beer and eating a corn dog, while others sip Champagne in box seats while wearing an heirloom fur coat and $5,000 boots custom-made by Northside’s M.L. Leddy’s. It’s the spirit of Fort Worth wrapped up in one place.
—Jocelyn Tatum
The post As Home Buyers Flock In, Fort Worth Embraces Its Cowtown Reputation appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.
As Home Buyers Flock In, Fort Worth Embraces Its Cowtown Reputation
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Recently I discovered Maridon Museum in Butler, PA–a hidden gem of Chinese, Japanese and Korean art. Currently, they are showing my friend, William Rock’s vision of the Tibetan goddess, Yeshe Walmo and his renderings of woman’s body–walking, standing, leaping. Yeshe Walmo is the goddess of protection and healing someone we should be mindful of at this time of chaos, disorder and insecurity in the world. The exhibits are a visual feast. The show is open until June 3 at: The Maridon Museum 322 N McKean Street Butlar PA 16001 (724) 282-0123 Curator: Roxann Booser
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The Maridon Museum (at The Maridon Museum) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRcHJ85sck2z53mBi4hLZObWZYhHoldqvCBhbY0/?utm_medium=tumblr
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