“If you are going to give me an award, I’ll take it.
Just don’t make me go to the party afterwards.” - John Cusack
Highland Meadows Preservation Award 2026
Congratulations to Jeff and Stacy Keller, 8647 N Mediterranean Circle, who are the recipients of the Highland Meadows Neighborhood Preservation Award 2026.
When Jeff and Stacy purchased their home in 2000 it was in need of someone who could apply an experts eye and shower it with love. Since the original owners had passed away, a subsequent owner had neglected to keep up with the routine maintenance and the home had fallen into a perilous state. There was no running water, the air conditioning systems were not working and the owner was living tin the kitchen.
But, a committed real estate agent was determined to find the right owners who would preserve the William Krisel designed home and restore it to its Mid-Century glory.Jeff and Stacy, both experts in mid century antiques, immediately recognized the architectural significance of the home and were ready to accept the challenge of preserving the home.
Completed it 1958, the McDonald Home was built for Wilbur “Tex” McDonald and his wife Elizabeth McDonald. Wilbur was the “son” in Wilbur McDonald and Son Furniture Company that operated a showroom at the Dallas Market Hall, Elizabeth was a successful interior designer who was recognized nationally.
The home sits on a large wooded lot, with a 100 plus year old pecan tree, overlooking Dixon Branch. The McDonald Home includes all of the signature features of Krisel homes including clerestory windows, post and beam construction, column free floor plan, plus original mosaic tile bathrooms, original door hardware, original lighting control devices… An addition of an artist studio, that seamlessly blends with the original home, was completed in 2020.
Photograph: McDonald Home, William Krisel, 1958, Mediterranean Gardens - Highland Meadows preservation Foundation
Highland Meadows Preservation Award 2025
Congratulations to Lawrence Bonanno of 8668 Langdale Circle who are the recipients of the Highland Meadows Preservation Award 2025.
Their home, the Lincoln Research House, was completed in 1952 and was the first home built in the Mediterranean Gardens section of our neighborhood. The home is the vision of developer J.P. Travis II and designed using the principles of bio-climatic architecture that were pioneered by Viktor and Aladar Olgyay, consulting architects of Mediterranean Gardens.
The Lincoln Research House was heralded as “a revolution of design for tropical housing and building” and “the house of tomorrow” and was written about extensively in newspapers and magazines of the day. It was designed to meet the wide variations of the Dallas climate and was said to be a 30 year advancement in building technology over conventional construction. Incorporated in the design are provisions for solar shades, weather controls, fins, canopies, overhangs, natural breeze ventilation, and double roof construction. It was equipped with forced air ventilation, forced washed air cooling, radiant panel heating, and ventilating picture windows.
Photograph: Lincoln Research House, Olgyay + Olgyay, 1952, Mediterranean Gardens - Highland Meadows Preservation Foundation
Highland Meadows Preservation Award 2024
Congratulations to Kevin McLendon and John Harrington of 10742 Lanett Circle who are the recipients of the Highland Meadows Neighborhood Association - Preservation Award 2024. Their home was built in 1955 by Kevin’s grandparents, Mr. and Mrs H. R. McCandless Jr. in Mediterranean Gardens and was designed by the firm W. E. Richardson & R. E. Bennett. The renovation has been done with care and consideration for the original design and serves as an inspiration to us all. Kevin and John have preserved a house, a portion of our neighborhood, and a piece of our history… and we are grateful.
The Highland Meadows Neighborhood Association Preservation Award honors noteworthy efforts by individuals to preserve, restore or maintain the unique architectural heritage of our neighborhood.
Photograph: McCandless Home, W.E. Richardson + R.E. Bennett, 1955, Mediterranean Gardens
