Acres Homes’ transitions reflected in new housing
Upscale development may put area on the road to gentrification
David Bohorquez was considered a pioneer in 2008, when he developed a 9-acre plot into a gated community of new houses in the Acres Homes area.
Lately there’s been more interest in this historic neighborhood as other developers have bought land — or at least started eyeing it — in anticipation of the urban renewal that seems inevitable.
Still, some builders have been deterred by the semi-rural community and its lack of infrastructure, while others see beyond its challenges. Bohorquez is part of the latter group. His company last year launched a development of homes across the street from its first, near West Tidwell and Rosslyn Road, about 10 miles northwest of downtown.
Both projects are 9 acres and gated, but the homes in the older community are traditional, clad in brick and siding, while those in the new development — named La Sierra — have contemporary facades and open floor plans. The prices also are a lot higher.
Bohorquez, co-founder of Contempo Builders, said he wanted to bring to market a style of home offered in pricier neighborhoods closer to downtown, but at a lower price.
The new homes range from 2,160 to 2,777 square feet and start in the $300,000s.
“Everyone told us the market wasn’t ready for the contemporary look in this area,” Bohorquez said on a recent tour
of the project. “Of course there are people who don’t like it, but people looking for a contemporary style home (elsewhere) have to pay $600,000.”
Bohorquez realizes he’s pushing the limit on price for the area. The last home he sold in Marbella, the traditional neighborhood across the street, was $245,000.
Others recently have proposed higher-end residential developments in Acres Homes, including architect Francois de Menil, who chose the rustic North Houston neighborhood to build an enclave of homes for established artists who could afford a $300,000-plus price tag.
As it’s gotten more attention in recent years, Acres Homes is one of the neighborhoods, along with Chinatown, Montrose and Rice Village, highlighted by the city’s convention and visitors bureau.
It’s noted on the group’s website for its proximity to downtown and vast amount of “affordable, heavily wooded land.” The neighborhood is referred to as an “artists’ enclave” that has attracted developers, including hip hop artist Slim Thug.
Acres Homes, north of the Heights, Garden Oaks and Oak Forest, may be on a similar path to gentrification, but there are forces working to preserve the area’s historic character.
Founded during World War I, the area had land that was originally sold by the acre. Many of the first residents had animals and small farms, and some still do.
“I don’t think we should hinder progress, but we shouldn’t try to displace citizens and residents of Acres Homes,” said Etta Crockett, president of Acres Homes Super Neighborhood.
Crockett is also part of Mayor Sylvester Turner’s advisory council for his Complete Communities initiative, a program focusing on five low-income neighborhoods, including Acres Homes. The others are Gulf ton, Second Ward, Near North side and Third Ward.
Plans presented to the City Council last month revealed the first steps in the mayor’s efforts.
A series of “quick delivery projects” like street maintenance, trash sweeps and animal control are expected to start in August.
Even though Bohorquez is on his second project in the area, he says there’s still a negative stigma attached to Acres Homes.
He calls his project La Sierra at Oak Forest, attaching the name of a more affluent subdivision to the south.
“Saying we are Oak Forest is more attractive to buyers,” he said.
In Oak Forest, change has happened quickly.
“They’re building all those new homes and pushing out antiquated homes,” real estate agent Dilcie Roland said. “They’re pushing out people living in those onebathroom homes.”
Bohorquez said buyers have closed on 21 of the homes in La Sierra. The project is designed to hold 82.
He notes features available in the homes that aren’t typical of some of the high-density residential construction closer to downtown: backyards, driveways and two-story construction with the master bedroom on the first floor.
The project broke ground last year. At the beginning of the year, sales were slow, but the market has been picking back up, Bohorquez said.