The East Dallas, TX neighborhood of Lakewood (also known as “Lakewood Proper“) is located west of White Rock Lake and encompasses the east side of the greater Lakewood area.  The neighborhood consists of around 2,900 homes within its boundaries of Abrams Road to the west, Mockingbird Lane to the north, Williamson Road and Winstead Road to the east, and Gaston Road and Country Club Road to the south.

Lakewood Proper is the largest residential neighborhood in the greater Lakewood area of Dallas-a collection of neighborhoods and retail/commercial areas that span an area of several square miles west of White Rock Lake and east of the Old East Dallas area and downtown Dallas.   The greater Lakewood area does not have any official boundaries but is generally considered to include the neighborhoods of Lakewood Heights, Lakewood Trails, The Cliosters, University Terrace and a few other neighborhoods to the west and south of White Rock Lake.

Map of the Lakewood residential neighborhood, also commonly known as “Lakewood Proper”:

History of Lakewood

Residential development in Lakewood Proper began in the early 1900s.  The majority of homes were originally built in the 1920s and 1930s, although many of those homes have been town down and new (and often much larger) homes have been built in their place.

Built in 1912, the Lakewood Country Club, which lies just south of Lakewood Proper, is one of the oldest and best golf clubs in the Southwest.  Lakewood Country Club was the original site of the Dallas Open which eventually became the Byron Nelson Classic (now held at the Four Seasons in Irving, TX).

The historic Lakewood Theater which opened in 1938 evolved over the years to become the premiere one-theater movie house in the Dallas area.  The art deco-themed building is one of the last remaining theaters of its kind still in close to its original condition.  The theater’s trademark neon lights that run the length of its trademark tower are the crown jewel of the Lakewood Shopping Center.

Lakewood Homes and Neighborhood

Within Lakewood lies some of the most architecturally significant and historic real estate in the Southwest.  The neighborhood is well-known for its stunning collection of Tudors, Colonials, Mid-Century moderns, Spanish, Mediterranean, Ranch, and Prairie-style homes. and its proximity to downtown Dallas, White Rock Lake and entertainment districts such as Lower Greenville and Deep Ellum.  Lakewood was named one of the 10 best big-city neighborhoods in the United States by CNN and has been noted as a great neighborhood to live by numerous other media sources.

The neighborhood also has a dynamically evolving mix of older and newer home styles. The predominant home style among older original homes in Lakewood is the Tudor style, but other historic styles such as Colonial, Spanish and French Eclectic are common.  Newer homes (built within the last 10-25 years) feature many different styles including French, Mediterranean, Craftsman, Prairie, and contemporary Mid-Century Modern-styles.

In many areas of Lakewood, original homes have been torn down and new ones built in their place.  In general, the newer homes are often quite a bit larger than the older homes they replaced.  Some of the newer homes measure well over 5,000 square feet.  The difference in average square footage of newer versus older homes in Lakewood is significant – homes built after 2000 in Lakewood Proper average over 4,000 square feet whereas homes built before 1960 average less than 2,300 square feet.

The Lakewood Conservation District and Neighborhood Stabilization Overlays

The Lakewood Conservation District is an area in the residential part of Lakewood protected by a city-mandated zoning ordinance that preserves the architectural character and style of the neighborhood by regulating standards for all homes within its boundaries.  The Lakewood Conservation District only encompasses a small part of Lakewood Proper (see map of Lakewood Conservation District).

The purpose of the ordinance is to provide a means of preserving the Lakewood neighborhood and to protect and enhance its unique architectural and cultural attributes.  The ordinance regulates various aspects such as exterior paint colors, the location of garages, building setback lines, .  New home construction within the boundaries of the conservation district must conform to one of four different home styles – Tudor, Spanish eclectic, French eclectic, or Colonial/Georgian.

The Lakewood Conservation District has about 200 homes within its boundaries divided into three segments and consisting predominantly of Tudor-style homes (For specific details, see the 34 page zoning ordinance from the City of Dallas. The conservation district is located in the southwest part of Lakewood Proper and only encompasses a small percentage of the total area of the neighborhood.

Lakewood proper also has two small areas protected by a less restrictive zoning tool called neighborhood stabilization overlays.  Stabilization overlays do not regulate the style of homes that can be built, they only regulate building setback lines, location and direction of access of garages, and maximum building height.  The Lakewood / North Ridge Estates overlay includes several homes on and a few streets south of Northridgein the middle of Lakewood and the Vanderbilt / Marquita overlay consists of a few homes on one block of Vanderbilt, Marquita, and Sondra east of Abrams Road.

Life in Lakewood

“Lakewooders” enjoy some of the best recreational, entertainment, shopping and cultural experiences in the Dallas area.  The Lakewood Shopping Center, located west of Abrams at Gaston, is bustling with locals day and night with its unique mix of restaurants, bars and other entertainment venues.  Lakewood is walking distance to White Rock Lake for many residents, and also has two parks-Lakewood Park and Tokalon Park-within its boundaries.  It’s very common to see many people out walking dogs, riding bikes, and enjoying the sights in Lakewood year-round.

Shopping and Entertainment in the Lakewood area:

• The historic Lakewood Theater was recently repurposed as a bowling alley called Bowlski’s and preserved many of the original architectural characteristics of the theater.
• Whole Foods is located on the northeast corner of Abrams and Gaston, caddy-corner from the Lakewood Shopping Center.
• The Bath House Cultural Center, located on the northeast shore of White Rock Lake, features many visual and performing arts performances and various festivals throughout the year.  The center also has a number of children’s programs including a summer camp for aspiring artists.
• Deep Ellum, one of Dallas’s premier entertainment and live music areas, is just a short drive from Lakewood on the east side of Downtown Dallas.
• The Lower Greenville entertainment district, which features many restaurants, bars, and the Granada Theater, a noted concert venue, is just a short distance west of Lakewood.

Popular Restaurants and Bars in the Lakewood area:

• Matt’s Rancho Martinez, a Lakewood staple since the early ’90s, is known for its eclectic Tex-Mex dishes, signature “Bob Armstrong” dip and their fun atmosphere adorned with artwork and a mural of the .  Matt’s recently relocated into a new location on the east side of Skillman just north of Live Oak and has a full bar and side patio with tables.
• The Lakewood Landing-  The Landing brands itself as an “Upscale Dive” and has been a Lakewood staple for many years at the intersection of Live Oak and Skillman.  Known for its divey and laid back atmosphere, jukebox, and friendly bartenders, the Landing is a favorite among locals.  They have a huge front patio perfect for meeting friends for a drink after a long work day.
• Cosmo’s is another Lakewood favorite.  Known for its laid-back atmosphere and great food (especially the pizza), Cosmo’s is a favorite for happy hour and late-nights with friends.  Have a seat inside on one of their couches around the fireplace and the jukebox or chill out on the back patio with friends over a drink.
• Mi Cocina, famous for its food and signature drink the Mambo Taxi, recently opened up a new location right next to the Lakewood Theater.
• Times Ten Cellars – A Lakewood favorite, this contemporary-style wine bar and bistro is located on Prospect Avenue and features a phenomenal wine and food selection.  Times Ten has a contemporary yet casual atmosphere and is a great place for social and networking events.
• Liberty Burger – a new specialty burger restaurant located just across from Lakewood Theater is one of the newest hot-spots for lunch and dinner.
• Cane Rosso – recently named “Best Pizza in Dallas” by both D Magazine and the Dallas Observer, Cane Rosso adheres to strict guidelines regarding authentic Neapolitan pizza.  Their sauce is made daily from hand-crushed tomatoes and the dough is also made in-house.  They are also open for brunch on Saturday and Sunday.

Recreation in the Lakewood area

White Rock Lake borders Lakewood to the east and “Lakewooders” enjoy easy access to its jogging and cycling trails, lush parks and greenbelts, dog park, and various other recreational amenities.

• Lakewood Country Club features an 18-hole golf course and luxurious clubhouse.
• The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is a 66 acre botanical garden on the southeast shore of White Rock Lake that features several gardens, fountains, and an outdoor concert venue.  There is almost an endless array of activity at the Arboretum, including classes for children and adults and many volunteer opportunities for local residents. Several public city parks are located in and around the Lakewood area, including Tokalon Park and Lakewood Park.

The Lakewood Neighborhood Association

Lakewood Proper has a very active neighborhood association whose members work to foster a sense of community among neighbors and support local schools.  Membership in the association is 100% voluntary; the association does not have any power to create or enforce any regulations (unlike a traditional, mandatory home owner’s association).  According to the Lakewood Neighborhood Association’s website, their purpose is to focus on issues relating to beautification and economic development, “believing that an attractive, healthy neighborhood increases property values, supports existing businesses, and attracts new merchants”.  The modest annual dues are used for a variety of purposes that benefit Lakewood residents and the neighborhood.

The Lakewood Neighborhood Association hosts several community and social events throughout the year, most notably the annual 4th of July parade and the Lakewood Home Festival Party, an annual home tour that showcases five historically unique homes, the proceeds of which benefit a variety of neighborhood causes.  The annual event, which kicks off with an auction party, raised over $150,000 last year which was donated to Lakewood Elementary, Long Middle, and Wilson High schools.

The association has monthly board meetings open to members and quarterly meetings open to all residents.  They also publish a monthly newsletter and have a closed Facebook group where hundreds of neighbors can get help finding lost pets, get recommendations for tradespeople, warn of suspicious activity, coordinate social events and network with each other.

The boundaries of the Lakewood neighborhood association are Mockingbird Lake to the north, Abrams Road to the west, Gaston to the south, and Williamson and Winstead Roads to the east. The association boundaries encompass about 2,900 homes in the Lakewood Proper neighborhood. Both renters and owners can be members of the association.

Lakewood Schools

The Lakewood area public schools are served entirely by the Dallas Independent School District (DISD).  DISD also has a magnet program and there are many choices of exceptional private schools in the area.

Lakewood Elementary is located on Hillbrook street in the middle of Lakewood, which is walking distance for many residents. Lakewood  is one of the most revered schools in DISD because of its impressive academic performance, dedicated and professional teachers and staff, and a community of parents and leaders that are involved in making the school a better place for all.  Check out the rating and reviews for Lakewood Elementary on Greatschools.com.

Long Middle School is located on Reiger Avenue just south of Lakewood.  Long Middle was recently accredited as an International Baccalaureate school and is only one of three public middle schools to be named an International Baccalaureate accredited school in Texas.  Check out the rating and reviews for Long Middle on Greatschools.com. 

Woodrow Wilson High School serves grades 9-12 and is located just a short distance south of Lakewood on Glasgow Drive.  Wilson was the first high school in DISD to be accredited as International Baccalaureate World School.  Check out the rating and reviews for Wilson High on Greatschools.com.

Disclaimer: All school boundaries are subject to change and home buyers should verify all boundaries with DISD’s attendance zone maps and their search by address function.

DISD Magnet Schools

Children of Lakewood residents may also apply to attend one of the DISD magnet schools which focus on specific academic categories such as law, math and science, communications, Montessori, and gifted and talented programs.  The DISD Magnet programs are theme-oriented courses of study that provide students with in-depth experiences in special areas of interest. Students must complete an application process to be accepted into a magnet program.  DISD has both stand-alone magnet schools where the entire student body is comprised of only magnet students and other schools that have magnet programs within more comprehensive schools.

Private Schools in the Lakewood Area

There are many private schools located close to Lakewood:

• Bishop Lynch High School – A Catholic, co-educational high school with over 1,000 students serving grades 9-12.  Noted for its superb academic and athletic programs, their students have won several state championships in various sports.
• St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School – Founded in 1947, this Catholic school serves grades PK3 through 8th and was named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2012.  St. Thomas has two campuses just north of Lakewood: one located on Mockingbird Lane and the other on Abrams Road.
• White Rock Montessori School – Founded in 1975, this innovative school serves ages three through 8th grade and is located east of White Rock Lake less than five miles from most of Lakewood.
• Lakehill Preparatory School – Established in 1971, this fully accredited co-ed school serves K-12th grade and offers a rigorous college-prep curriculum along with impressive athletic programs.

Lakewood Real Estate Market Data and Charts

Due to the fact that there is such a wide range of old and new architectural home styles in Lakewood, the market varies greatly within the bounds of Lakewood Proper.  The south part of Lakewood has some of the largest older homes in the neighborhood, especially those that lie within the boundaries of the Lakewood Conservation District.  Other parts of Lakewood are mostly newer homes, with the mix of older and newer homes varying from one street to the next.

Some highlights from Lakewood single family home sales data from NTREIS for the last 10 years:

• • The average square footage of sold homes has increased by almost 400 square feet.  This rise in average is due to larger, new-construction homes being built in place of original homes that were, in many cases, much smaller.  Despite this new construction, many older homes have been restored and/or maintained well in Lakewood.  The new construction is also reflected in the  average age of homes, which has decreased by about six years.
  • The average lot size of homes that sold in Lakewood was .26 acres.  The sizes of sold lots ranged from .1 acre to well over two acres.
  • The average year built of sold homes increased from 1956 to 1962, likely the result of continued new construction in parts of Lakewood.  Homes that sold ranged in age from 90+ years to brand new.

 

Median Sales Price (12 Month Moving Average)

Median Sales Price by Year Built (12 Month Moving Average)

Median Sales Price per Square Foot by Year Built (12 Month Moving Average)

Median Sales Price by Number of Bedrooms (12 Month Moving Average)

Median Price per Square Foot (12 Month Moving Average)

Median Price per Square Foot by Year Built (12 Month Moving Average)

Average Days on Market (Monthly)

Average Percentage of Original List Price Received (12 Month Moving Average)

Months Supply of Home Inventory (Monthly)

Homes for Sale (Monthly)

New Listings (Monthly)

Pending Sales (Monthly)

Closed Sales (Monthly)

DISCLAIMER: All data provided by NTREIS.  Charts powered by 10K Research. Information deemed reliable but not 100% accurate.