DALLAS — This article was originally published by our content partners at the Dallas Business Journal. You can read the original article here.
A historic mansion in Dallas' Turtle Creek area is getting fresh attention as it prepares to host the fifth annual Kips Bay Decorator Show House, a leading interior design event that begins Oct. 25.
The high-profile site at 2999 Turtle Creek Blvd. was once slated to be turned into the city’s first Mandarin Oriental Hotel. The 2.3-acre property includes a two-story building that spans 25,000 square feet, along with expansive garage space.
The building, surrounded by other mansions and luxury residences in a bucolic setting, blends French Renaissance influences with contemporary touches. The site is situated between the Rosewood Mansion and the planned Four Seasons Hotel & Residences — an area steeped with history that is now a booming residential and commercial hub.
Despite its alluring facade and pristine look, a lot has happened behind the scenes at the estate. 2999 Turtle Creek gained attention in recent years for its involvement in a yearslong ownership dispute, which ended with a federal judge siding with the lender, HNGH Turtle Creek LLC. This decision caused Dallas developer Tim Barton to lose control of the property. Barton had plans to develop the property into a Mandarin Oriental and luxury condo tower.
More than a year later, the Turtle Creek mansion will be the site for the Kips Bay Decorator Show House, which is considered the "Super Bowl for design lovers," according to D Magazine. It brings together top interior designers and other industry insiders and gives them space to showcase their work for three weeks. The event also serves as the primary fundraiser for the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club. Kips Bay is a neighborhood in Manhattan where the event got its start in 1973.
This year's event will have 23 designers in attendance.
"We anticipate a showcase that not only celebrates design innovation, but also underscores our commitment to raising critical funding both for the community and our kids," James Druckman, board president of the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club, said in a statement.
Last year, the event was held in Dallas at 9446 Hathaway St., in Old Preston Hollow's Sunnybrook Estates neighborhood. It brought together 22 designers, 10 of whom hailed from North Texas.
This year’s show will also benefit two local Dallas charities: Dwell with Dignity, a nonprofit that helps people furnish their living spaces, and The Crystal Charity Ball, which makes contributions to children’s charities in Dallas County.
