The Dallas chapter of the American Institute of Architects is preparing to unveil the entries in its Unbuilt Design Awards contest, and the White Rock Lake Rowhouse is one of 34 designs that will be on display starting next Thursday evening at Life in Deep Ellum.
We wrote about the rowhouse in summer 2012 when Dallas United Crew was showing its plans to neighbors and the White Rock Lake Task Force. At first there was some contention between the crew, which called it “a new community boathouse for Dallas on White Rock Lake,” and some residents, who, as the Observer’s Jim Schutze put it, thought of it more as “The Highlands Park White Rock Lake Carnival Cruise Ship.” (Schutze later semi-retracted his statements, in an equally funny column.)
In the end, City Council approved the public-private agreement, in which the Dallas United Crew would raise the estimated $4 million to construct the 9,000-square-foot boathouse and the city would own the building and earn 10 percent of the rowing club’s revenue. The crew’s boat dock is on 417 E. Lawther between the White Rock Boat Club and the Corinthian Sailing Club, and the rowhouse would be built at the same location.
Josh Theodore of Page designed the structure. We don’t know where the project stands in terms of construction timeline but will be talking to Theodore soon about his design. In the meantime, readers can view a sneak peek of the rowhouse design above, courtesy of AIA Dallas, and view larger renderings of this project as well as the other 33 entries at Life in Deep Ellum May 28-June 11. Winners will be announced at the gallery opening/reception on May 28, and exhibit attendees can vote for the people’s choice award, which will be announced at the June 11 closing reception.
