Howard R. Meyer, Dallas Architect
Past Dallas and Texas Architect
Rick Brettell sites Howard Meyer as the first international modernist architect in Dallas, “When Meyer arrived in Texas in 1935, he was the best-trained architect in the state, having the distinguished undergraduate career in the humanities and a further degree from the Columbia School of Architecture from which he graduated in 1928.” It was at Columbia as a student that he worked in the office of William Lescaze, a New York modernist. He then went to Europe where he met Corbusier and visited the current architecture of Switzerland, Germany and The Netherlands. In 1935, he arrived in Texas, gaining work as a draftsman for the Texas Centennial Exhibition. The next few years he built homes that were traditional, or in the case of the home on Colgate, reflecting Art Moderne. By the 1950s, he was designing many of the most prominent modern homes in Dallas. Most notably, 5381 Nakoma in Greenway Parks and the luxury apartment building at 3525 Turtle Creek. Two other of his well known important homes are 9612 Rockbrook and 4701 Miron. The Miron home is important not only because Howard Meyer designed the home, but he consulted on its renovation and brought attention to the surrounding architect designed homes, many of which have also been renovated.
Example of Homes Architect Howard R. Meyer Designed
Estate Home on 3 Acres with Home on Hilltop Overlooking Lake
4321 West Lawther Drive, Dallas, Texas
Architect Howard Meyer Designed Home in 1939 – Sold by Douglas Newby
At the best location on White Rock Lake you are able to buy three acres of land and have a Howard Meyer architect designed home with perfect proportions. This 1939 home has been structurally brought to date, making it easy to create a new kitchen and master bathroom.
This 3-Acre Property is One of Only Six on the White Rock Lake Cove of Estate Properties
This spectacular property has wide frontage on White Rock Lake, and it has the perfect site high on the hill for the estate home. The property has three acres that continue all the way to Fisher Road in the back, overlooking the expansive greenbelt. Many consider this the most attractive lot on White Rock Lake facing the sailboats in the front and the park land in the back.
Howard Meyer Architect Designed Home on 2 Acres
4101 Cochran Chapel Road, Dallas, Texas
Cochran Chapel Real Estate – Sold by Douglas Newby
Howard Meyer is best known for his very modern work at the mid-century. Also recognized in the AIA Guide to Dallas Architecture and by architectural historians is his splendid design of eclectic homes built in the 1930s. Located high on the hillside of Cochran Chapel is his finest Colonial Revival home in Dallas. Built in 1938, this architecturally significant home has an asymmetrical facade with a gabled roof, side wings, six and eight panel double hung sashes and a bay window reflecting both the style and this period of Colonial Revival architecture.
Stone paths and a beautiful canopy of trees add to the charm of this important residence. This home, differing in design from contemporary Howard Meyer homes, shares the graceful proportions and the compulsive attention to construction – the magic of Howard Meyer’s works.
3525 Turtle Creek Boulevard, Dallas, Texas
Howard Meyer designed this modern mid-century highrise.
The Turtle Creek highrise was the first luxury apartment building in Dallas. It is sheathed in a bris soleil and remains current today.
5381 Nakoma Drive, Dallas, Texas
Greenway Parks Modern Home
In 1951, Howard Meyer designed this International Modern style home for Mr. and Mrs. Ben Lipshy. It was beautifully restored by Carolyn and James Clark in 1981. Art and architectural historian Rick Brettell calls this “the finest International Modernist house in Texas.”
3541 Colgate Avenue, Dallas, Texas
Howard Meyer arrived in Dallas in 1935. This coincided with the William Lescaze’s coming to Dallas to design the Magnolia Lounge at Fair Park. When he was still a student at Columbia, Howard Meyer worked for Lescaze on the UN Headquarters competition.
White Rock Lake Estate Home Draws Buyers From Across Dallas
4321 West Lawther Drive, Dallas, Texas
Estate Home on 3 Acres – Sold by Douglas Newby
Architect Howard R. Meyer is one of the most celebrated modern architects in Dallas. In 1939/1940 he designed the Georgian home at 4321 West Lawther Drive located at White Rock Lake. This Howard Meyer architect-designed home is just one of a few that are on the estate cove of White Rock Lake. This estate home on three acres has the characteristics that everyone now is wishing for – it is immersed in nature, surrounded by vibrancy, and designed in a way that creates happiness when living, working and playing in the home.
