Nearly $2 million homes are coming soon to Forest Lane

Nestled between Preston Road and Dallas North Tollway along Forest Lane, a cluster of traditional Preston Hollow neighborhoods — Preston Forest Village, Inwood Road Estates and Milshire Estates —maintains the charm of mid-century suburbia.

Lined with towering trees that have watched over Preston Hollow since the 1950s, these one-story, single-family homes have stood the test of time.

For decades, the area remained largely unchanged — with one notable exception. A small block of land, bordered by Forest Lane to the south, Nuestra Drive to the east, Quincy Lane to the west and an alley backing into Milshire Estates, has been a source of contention and transformation.

Once home to a church, the property sat empty after the congregation relocated to Plano in 2010. The City of Dallas purchased the lot with plans to replace the Preston Royal Branch Library, but funding fell through, leaving the land vacant for nearly a decade. The city, eager to recoup its investment and reinvigorate the space, sought a developer willing to bring the land back into productive use and onto the tax rolls.

In 2019, a developer seized the opportunity, purchasing the property for just under $4 million with the vision of building a gated community. However, rather than adhering to the existing platting, which allowed for nine spacious lots of at least 16,000 square feet, the developer proposed a denser plan: 26 homes, each with a minimum of 4,300 square feet. If approved, the city would recuperate the nearly $4 million to renovate the old Preston Royal Branch Library. If not, the City would have to wait for another developer to purchase the space.

The proposal ignited fierce opposition. Neighbors and city officials pushed back against the rezoning request, arguing that such density would disrupt the established character of Milshire Estates. Of the 59 neighbor survey responses, 56 opposed the project.

“Our entire neighborhood wants this site to be developed, but what’s being proposed is wrong for a multitude of reasons,” neighbor Richard Brown said of the development at the meeting. “Don’t vote for an inappropriate zoning change just so the library can get some money right now. They should get the money, but when the property sells to an appropriate developer of this site.”

“Unfortunately, as much as we want development, this proposal does not fit the character, density and quality of this established residential area,” another neighbor lamented.

Concerns ranged from privacy issues – windows peering into adjacent properties – to increased traffic and the loss of potential mixed-use, walkable development. Others feared the removal of mature trees and the aesthetic shift toward modern, large-scale homes.

“Many neighbors in Milshire Estates have lived in the neighborhood for 20, 30, 40, 50-plus years, so you can see how difficult it has been to see the surroundings go from 2,300-square-foot homes to double the size and modern architecture mixed in with the traditional styles,” District 13 Council Member Gay Donnell Willis said at the City Council meeting. “Through the process the developers made many concessions … The neighbors’ involvement has improved this process and this project.”

Despite the pushback, City Council, led by Willis, ultimately approved the project.  Willis acknowledged the community’s concerns but emphasized the broader need for city funds to repair the library and the risk of having to pass an even denser development in the future if Council didn’t approve this one.

“Though it may seem counterintuitive, that concern about density is why I’m supporting the project,” Willis stated during the City Council meeting. “In our seats, we have to think not only of today but of tomorrow.”

The developer assured residents that efforts would be made to maintain green space. According to builder Lou Olerio, most of the mature trees would be preserved, and new trees would be planted on every lot.

“There’s some green space in the subdivision – three green belts,” Olerio says. “These are really built for people downsizing from 6,000-square-foot homes [where] the kids are grown and they’re moving on to the next phase of their life and they want a lock-and-leave lifestyle with manageable square footage.”

Still, the project represents a stark departure from the traditional homes of Milshire Estates. With modern facades and significantly smaller footprints than their 6,000-square-foot predecessors, these residences stand in contrast to the neighborhood’s long-standing architectural aesthetic. However, change is already underway — many older homes are being renovated or replaced by the ultramodern, white-box mansions that residents love to hate.

The real estate market suggests the shift is inevitable. A newly constructed home in the neighborhood is currently listed at $3.2 million for 6,407 square feet, while a 2014-built home at 6,336 square feet is priced at $2.9 million. Even a 1958-built home, maintaining its original structure, is listed at nearly $2 million. In this context, a $2 million home at 3,500 square feet might not be such a stretch.

Although construction began in early March, progress has been slow. As of now, work on individual homes has yet to commence. When completed, the 26 detached residences will be fully gated and boast luxury features, including elevators, front-entry accessibility and high-end Sub-Zero/Wolf appliances. Buyers will have four floor plans to choose from, with options for dual-primary suites and varied layouts. Prices will range from $1.8 million to $2.5 million.

Looking at Olerio’s other projects offers insight into what’s to come. In Modella Park, just west of Webb Chapel, the builder introduced modern homes into a neighborhood of similarly sized, older properties — though at nearly half the price. A similar pattern emerged in Elm Thicket/NorthPark, where Olerio’s upscale builds priced at $2-3 million raised concerns about affordability and gentrification.

For now, the Forest Lane lot is poised for transformation. With construction on the first four homes set to begin in late April, Milshire Park will soon become a reality.

And while debates over density and architectural harmony persist, one thing is certain: the once-empty plot will soon contribute to Dallas’ tax base and long-awaited plans to renovate the library are in motion.