Condos to have buzz, different view
Small project south of downtown plans to stay affordable
08:33 PM CST on Sunday, March 26, 2006
By STEVE BROWN / The Dallas Morning News
A new Dallas condo development will offer panoramic skyline views. But this development isn't in Uptown or on the near East Side.
And if its location two blocks south of the central business district isn't enough of a departure, the project's name certainly is.
Called "Buzz," Zad Roumaya and Will Pinkerton's construction on South Akard Street is indeed the talk of the Cedars neighborhood.
The 49-unit complex is more than 40 percent sold in a part of town where most folks wouldn't expect to see modern-style condos.
"The buyers are a mixture of those who are tired of the commute – from Mesquite, Colleyville and Frisco – and people who want to own not rent," said Mr. Roumaya, who began units last year and recently broke ground on the project.
"We have an eclectic mix of people – designers, chefs, architects, teachers, workers at the city of Dallas."
Beyond the location at the edge of downtown, buyers at Buzz have probably been attracted by the price.
The units started at about $120,000 and topped out just over $250,000. That's for condos ranging from about 900 to 1,250 square feet.
"Our price per square foot is still below the market," Mr. Roumaya said.
"We watch within a two-mile radius what new construction costs, because we want to stay affordable."
The four-story building that will include about 1,800 square feet of commercial and retail space was designed by architect Kevin Parma and T. Howard & Associates.
KWA Construction is the general contractor for the development, which is scheduled to open in December. David Griffin Realtors is marketing the units.
Buzz isn't the only new housing project in the Cedars area.
Bennett Miller Co. is selling seven row-style townhomes on Seegar Street priced from $126,900. The developer previously constructed six townhouses on nearby McKee Street, which sold within 30 days of completion.
And developers who did the big Southside on Lamar apartment conversion are planning a condo complex adjacent to DART's Cedars light rail station.
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