Builder articles from February 2005

Builder archives from February 2005

Matter of energy: current world events have refocused attention on an old industry problem--energy conservation.(Editorial)
February 1, 2005... IT'S TIME TO REFOCUS OUR ENERGIES ON ENERGY. As new homes become larger and we fill them with a never-ending list of gadgets and appliances, as we pay $2 or more at the pump for a gallon of gas and fight a war in the Middle East, it makes sense...

Unfair housing practices.(B Mail)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... I JUST FINISHED READING YOUR STORY ON minority home buyers (December 2004, page 102). "Barriers to Entry" is, indeed, a very appropriate title. We do it all the time--stereotype. It won't go away any time soon, either, which is indicative of...

On the right track.(B Mail)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... YOUR DECEMBER "EDITOR'S NOTES" ("Wake-Up Call," page 23) was very insightful and thoughtful. I work for Del Valle Homes, a builder in California's San Joaquin Valley, a place that has experienced a lot of growth and will continue to do so....

Callback.(B Mail)(Correction Notice)
February 1, 2005... IN "LESS IS MORE" (JANUARY 2005, PAGE 208), the garage doors and garage door openers featured in the New Urban Challenge homes were mistakenly attributed. The doors were made by Overhead Door Corp.;the openers, by Chamberlain Professional...

Another successful builder saves time and money with SpaceJoist[R] TE[TM].(Special Advertising Section)
February 1, 2005... FOCUS ON: Dan Meyer Builders Dan Meyer Builders * 2238 Glenville Road * Decorah, IA 52101 "If I have control, of the project, SpaceJoist TEs are my floor system of choice." Q How long have you been using SpaceJoist TE? A I...

Calendar.(Book It)(Calendar)
February 1, 2005... FEBRUARY 15-18 International Roofing Expo, Orlando, Fla. The International Roofing Expo brings together the entire roofing industry. Formerly the NRCA Annual Tradeshow--with more than 100 years of influence and impact to its...

Gimme shelter: as new data show increasing numbers of low- and moderate-income families getting priced out of their communities, local governments and industry groups step up their efforts to provide housing within reach.(affordable housing demand forecast)
February 1, 2005... TWO STUDIES RELEASED BY THE NAHB IN December highlight the increasing lack of affordable housing throughout the country. The studies emphasize that it's more than a low-income problem: More workers earning moderate incomes are struggling to...

In transit.(housing demand predicted to grow)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Over the next 20 years, at least one-quarter of all American households is likely to seek housing near transit, according to the Federal Transit Administration. Cities such as Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Portland, Ore., and...

No surprise.(George W. Bush's administration restores Bill Clinton-era policy )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The business community won a round last December when the Bush administration restored a Clinton-era policy known as "no surprises." Under the rule, federal agencies can assure home builders as well as timber and mining companies that once a...

Midwest move-up.(Neumann Homes acquires Tadian Homes)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Neumann Homes, a top-five builder in Chicago, solidified its standing in the Midwest with the January acquisition of Troy, Mich.-based Tadian Homes. In 2004, Tadian closed more than 500 units and booked about $150 million in revenue. With the...

Helping hand.(House blend: trends, tips, cool stuff)(Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston offers low income housing finance)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston has awarded $10.3 million in grants, loans, and rate subsidies to help fund affordable housing for very low-, low-, and moderate-income individuals in a host of New England cities. Each year, the bank sets aside...

Adding it up.(House blend: trends, tips, cool stuff)(housing survey)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
February 1, 2005... ADDING IT UP The number of families with critical housing needs--defined as those spending at least half their income on housing and/or living in dilapidated housing--rose by 67 percent during the six-year period ending in 2003,...

Big guns.(Texas Residential Construction Commission's new standards)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The Texas Residential Construction Commission has proposed the state's first official standards and warranties for new-home construction. Divided into three sections, the standards cover components that are subject to minimum workmanship and...

NIMBY battle.(new book NIMBYism: Navigating the Politics of Local Opposition from Michael C. Thomsett)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Got a NIMBY problem? For help, check out NIMBYism: Navigating the Politics of Local Opposition, a new book by Michael C. Thomsett. It's available for $24.95 at www.centerlinemedia.com.

Board green: code changes will soon affect how you construct your baths.(a new law from International Residential Code says greenboards should not be used)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... IF YOU'RE ONE OF THE THOUsands of builders who uses paper-faced greenboard as a tiling substrate in showers and tub surrounds, things are about to change. Starting Jan. 1, 2006, the International Residential Code (IRC) will no longer approve...

Maryland's senior moment: Harford County, Md., imposes a 90-day moratorium to study the recent influx of seniors projects.(Public Facilities Law)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... THE COUNTY COUNCIL IN HARFORD COUNTY, Md., voted to stop approving plans for seniors housing for 90 days last December to study if home builders are constructing seniors housing to bypass a law that limits residential growth in overcrowded...

Book donation.(Good Deeds)(Mercedes Homes Inc.'s division donates books)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The Jacksonville, Fla., division of Mercedes Homes recently donated 2,300 new books to a local drive to collect and distribute one million books to area children. The literacy campaign, which is spearheaded by Mayor John Peyton, targets young...

Parish protests.(House blend: trends, tips, cool stuff)(Archdiocese of Boston closes churches)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... When the Archdiocese of Boston announced plans to close 60 of its churches in Eastern Massachusetts last May (see "From Altar to Alcove," page 46, September 2004), parishioners cried and wrote letters of protest, but ultimately, most of them...

City, redefined: the Brookings Institution prints a primer on the federal Office of Management and Budget's newly defined metropolitan areas.(Data Comparisons)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... IN EFFORT 10 YEARS IN THE MAKING HAS REsulted in a redesign of the way the federal government classifies metropolitan areas. In light of population shifts, metro areas will no longer be compared using such terms as consolidated metropolitan...

Dream catcher: if your buyers fancy colored exteriors, DreamColor is just the thing for you.(Internet Pick)(Alcoa Home Exteriors Inc. launches new web-based exterior design service)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... IF YOU WALK THROUGH MOST NEW SUBDIVIsions today, you'll see house after house clad in typical colors such as sand, almond, and white--perfectly fine, perfectly boring. Home buyers who want to shake things up can now turn to Pittsburgh-based...

Reduction in size.(House blend: trends, tips, cool stuff)(family size statistics)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The U.S. Census Bureau says that the average household size slipped to 2.57 people in 2003 from 3.14 in 1970. According to "America's Families and Living Arrangements: 2003," one-third of households have only two members. Experts attribute the...

Housing surrender.(House blend: trends, tips, cool stuff)(United States. Navy contracts American Eagle Communities for housing maintenance)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Strapped for cash as the war in Iraq continues to eat away at military budgets, the U.S. Navy has just transferred maintenance duties for 4,000 of its northwest housing units to Dallas-based American Eagle Communities..

Richard J. Brown, 1923-2005: home building loses an icon.(death of founder of Cambridge Homes Inc.)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
February 1, 2005... THE HOUSING INDUSTRY LOST a longtime and beloved leader last month when Richard Brown, founder and CEO of Libertyville, Ill.-based Cambridge Homes passed away. Brown often set the bar by which other area builders measured themselves,...

Starting over: habitat begins building homes for tsunami survivors.(Tsunami Relief)(Habitat for Humanity International)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... HABITAT FOR HUMANITY INTERNATIONAL HAS begun building the first of roughly 30,000 transitional houses in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand for victims of the Dec. 26 tsunami. The one-room structures, each with a veranda and sanitary...

Open with care: counties are passing more open-space initiatives than ever, but if industry concerns are addressed, builders won't always view them as evil.(land development)
February 1, 2005... CYNICS MAY THINK BUILDERS WILL always oppose open-space measures, but a closer look reveals that sometimes builders work in concert with local officials to equitably assign land for development while preserving open space and farmland. The...

Quittin' time: a bad first month on the job can undermine employee longevity.(employee retention techniques)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Builders looking for ways to hang on to new staff, especially management-level employees, should pay special attention to their personnel's first month on the job. A new study from the University of Florida (UF) reports that a bad experience...

Up in smoke: arson destroys dozens of Lennar homes under construction in Southern Maryland.(Inside Story)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... EARLY IN THE MORNING OF DEC. 6, 2004, firefighters in Charles County, Md., responded to a house-fire call. What they found--45 homes in varying phases of construction destroyed or damaged by fire--has been called the worst case of residential...

Designer label.(Top shelf: the latest and greatest building products)
February 1, 2005... IT WAS BOUND TO HAPPEN: DESIGNER FLOORING. AND WHY not? Part of artist David-Michael's Designer Series, Casa Monterey is an indoor/outdoor product made of a concrete-based material fortified with fibers. The company says the product offers...

Ciro go.(Top shelf: the latest and greatest building products)
February 1, 2005... CIRO IS A NEW, ITALIAN-MADE PENDANT FIXTURE THAT CAN BE USED IN two ways: alone, via use of an optional transformer, or attached to any of the manufacturer's track systems by means of a uni-plug. The fixture has a 4-inch canopy and comes in a...

Mod and sleek.(Top shelf: the latest and greatest building products)
February 1, 2005... THE MANUFACTURER SAYS THE CONTEMPRA IS THE MOST modern bath faucet it has ever introduced. Sporting clean lines and conical hubs, the product has lever handles and a high-arcing spout with 5 inches of sink clearance. Featuring solid-brass...

Luxury soak.(Top shelf: the latest and greatest building products)
February 1, 2005... AN UPDATE OF THE CLASSIC SOAKING TUB, THE PACIFIC IS MADE FROM COPPER and features brass overflow and waste assemblies. It measures 60 inches long, 26 inches wide, and 33 inches high. Truly a luxury item, the tub is available in one of four...

Flip side.(Top shelf: the latest and greatest building products)
February 1, 2005... SOMETIMES IT'S NICE TO HAVE OPTIONS. LIKE WITH reversible Latitudes composite decking, which can be installed with either side up. One surface features a wood-grain texture; the other, a brushed pattern. Available in redwood, cedar, and gray,...

Digital power.(Top shelf: the latest and greatest building products)
February 1, 2005... THE LIGHTING CONTROL LINE INCLUDES 600- and 1,000-watt switches and dimmers and other controls utilizing Universal Powerline Bus (UPB), a digital communications standard that provides "superior reliability" the company says. The modular...

Modular modernism: sacrilege! Or is it? The latest reincarnation of the modern home can be delivered in sections and assembled on site.(construction management)
February 1, 2005... IS THERE SUCH THING AS A COMPLETELY original, undiscovered niche in today's housing market? Robert Luntz, a partner with Resolution: 4 Architecture, a New York-based architectural firm, believes he has discovered just such a prize. "We...

Wall wars.(moisture control in buildings)
February 1, 2005... Q: I know some builders who install polyethylene vapor barriers on the inside surface of all walls, even though kraft facing would technically meet the code. But I've heard that in some cases poly can do more harm than good. A: AN INTERIOR...

Reality check: booklet renderings provide a realistic, pre-built picture of a traditionally styled neighborhood in Trilogy Park.(Market smarts: new marketing and sales techniques with proven results)
February 1, 2005... IF RENDERINGS ARE ALL YOU HAVE to showcase your next project, consider taking a page from developer Wade Johnson's latest venture, the 300-unit Trilogy Park in fast-growing Gwinnett County, Ga., near Atlanta. Designed to convey a high level of...

Bay access: at MiraBay near Tampa, Fla., inviting signage appeals to buyers both on land and at sea.(Market smarts: new marketing and sales techniques with proven results)(Florida)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... FEW PROJECTS, EVEN THOSE ON A COASTLINE, CAN EASILY DRAW prospective buyers from both land and sea. MiraBay, a 2,050-unit project in Southshore, Fla., has done so by taking advantage of its canal access to Tampa Bay with project signs at the...

Tour takeoff: proceeds from ticket sales to Southwest Idaho's spring Parade of Homes netted a donation to the local Habitat for Humanity chapter.(Building Contractors Association of Southwest Idaho)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... UNTIL LAST SPRING, THE BOISE-BASED BUILDING CONTRACTORS Association of Southwest Idaho (BCASWI) had never charged admission to its Parade of Homes. But when expenses exceeded available dollars for promoting and hosting the 2004 tour, the group...

Sensitivity analysis: a host of factors affects builder and consumer confidence.(Vital Signs)
February 1, 2005... DESPITE FORECASTS FOR A SLOWER housing market in 2005, builders are still expressing optimism about their industry, according to the NAHB's Housing Market Index (HMI). In fact, the index rose gradually through 2004 and in January 2005 stood at...

Timbercreek Homes: Integrity[R] helps grow business for Idaho builder.(Integrity Celebrates Its Red Diamond Achievers)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... Integrity[R] Helps Grow Business For Idaho Builder The Idaho housing market is really hot a fact not lost on Rod Hollen and his partner, Bill Betts, at Timbercreek Homes. "Idaho is getting a big influx of out-of-state people who are either...

Faucet fashions: faucets have gone from boring necessity to style statement.(Products: products and tools every builder should know about)
February 1, 2005... ONCE UPON A TIME, A FAUCET WAS merely that object in the kitchen or bath that dispensed water. It still does a good job at that, of course, but it's no longer just a utilitarian wallflower. The faucet now acts as a unifying element that can...

Solar systems: the new wave of photovoltaic panels integrates smoothly into roofs.(Products: products and tools every builder should know about)
February 1, 2005... SOLAR POWER, OR PHOTOVOLTAICS, has been around for decades, but only recently have homeowners and builders seriously considered it a viable way to cut energy costs. Fluctuating gas and electricity costs are driving the building industry's...

Comes standard: Sony targets mass-market audio and video products for new construction projects.(Tech tools: technology for the smart building business)
February 1, 2005... SONY IS ABOUT TO MAKE IT ABUNdantly clear that it is serious about the home building market. Starting next month, the massive home electronics company will ship new home entertainment products that will let builders offer audio at just...

Added service.(Hanley Wood forms joint venture with ServiceMagic.com)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... BUILDER'S sister division, Hanley Wood e-Media, has entered into a joint venture with online marketplace ServiceMagic.com. This new venture allows visitors to BUILDER'S Web site to sign up and link to ServiceMagic's service directly from www...

Ask the Oracle.(Oracle Corp. takeovers PeopleSoft Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Builders that depend on J.D. Edwards/PeopleSoft software for accounting and construction management now have yet another new software company to deal with: Oracle Corp. The large software maker finally won its 18-month hostile takeover battle...

Branching out: Pulte signs deal to use next-generation phone system to manage branches and improve customer service.(Tech tools: technology for the smart building business)
February 1, 2005... A NEW PHONE SYSTEM BEING DEPLOYED BY Pulte Homes from OpenAir Technologies serves as a switch that routes branch phone traffic, lets telecom personnel manage the phone network remotely; and improves customer service through targeted call...

Combined strength.(Nextel Communications Inc. merges with Sprint Corp. to form Sprint Nextel)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The creation of Sprint Nextel in a $35 billion deal by Sprint Corp. and Nextel Communications may wind up being very good news for builders, especially those who plan to use Nextel handhelds to run business applications in the field. Sprint has...

It's official.(Tech tools: technology for the smart building business)(ZigBee Alliance launches new wireless standard)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The ZigBee Alliance formally ratified a new wireless standard for networked sensors and controllers at the end of last year. The standard applies to automotive, industrial, and medical applications, but ZigBee proponents say initial products...

LEAP ahead: a new entertainment appliance integrates with structured wiring installations.(Tech tools: technology for the smart building business)(Leviton teams up with Dedicated Devices to develop Leviton Entertainment and Applications Platform )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... LEVITON HAS TEAMED UP WITH DEDICATED Devices to develop a home entertainment system that runs over a structured wiring network that manages a homeowner's digital audio, photo, and video files. The product, Leviton Entertainment &...

On alert: this new low-cost wireless system uses networked sensors to keep homeowners in touch with what's going on at home.(Tech tools: technology for the smart building business)
February 1, 2005... ONE OF THE FIRST PRODUCTS AVAILABLE that uses the ZigBee networking standard for home automation is Home Heartbeat from Eaton. It's a "home awareness" unit that lets homeowners install up to 32 sensors to keep tabs on everything from windows...

Falling short.(survey of affordable housing for workforce)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... In December, the NAHB and Freddie Mac sponsored a daylong symposium on workforce housing. Industry leaders, community advocates, senior government officials, and other professionals discussed how to combat the growing shortage of affordably...

The American dream: promoting homeownership ranks high on the Bush administration's priorities.(From The President)(George W. Bush)
February 1, 2005... AS THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION SETtles in for a second term, and the 109th Congress gets down to business, several housing-related issues could come under consideration on Capitol Hill. President Bush laid out an ambitious housing agenda when...

Gaining ground: the American dream of homeownership is becoming a reality for a growing number of U.S. residents.(Seiders Economy)
February 1, 2005... THE U.S. HOMEOWNERSHIP RATE HIT AN ESTImated 69 percent in 2004, a new annual record. Indeed, the homeownership rate has climbed five percentage points during the past 10 years, an impressive run after a decade of virtual stagnation. The...

Fair play.(new rule for property owners to preserve endangered species )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The NAHB is extolling a new federal regulation that urges that the habitat of threatened and endangered species be preserved. The rule, published by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and established under the Endangered Species Act, encourages...

Model market.(home remodeling market index)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The NAHB's Remodeling Marketing Index (RMI) posted a strong third quarter in 2004, thanks to low interest rates and solid consumer confidence. December's third-quarter results moved one point ahead of 2004's seasonally adjusted second quarter....

Strong suit: building product manufacturer provides quality training materials.(The NAHB Research Center Corner)(Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc.)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... AS PART OF ITS EFFORTS TO improve the quality and efficiency of the construction process, Simpson Strong-Tie Co., in Dublin, Calif., recently earned National Housing Quality (NHQ) certification from the NAHB Research Center for its training...

Blue ribbon.(NAHB Briefs)(NAHB publication)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Sales + Marketing Ideas magazine has been recognized for its new look. The NAHB publication earned an Ozzie award from Folio magazine in the "Best Redesign" category. The bimonthly magazine, a service of the NAHB's National Sales and Marketing...

Hot sellers: sold out! Fast-moving communities.
February 1, 2005... Close-Knit Community Auburn Lane by McMillin Homes, Chula Vista, Calif. WHY IT WORKED: The real estate market in the southern end of San Diego County is sizzling right now, so Auburn Lane's location is surely a big factor in its...

Custom kudos: three award-winning homes show that design excellence is found in the details.
February 1, 2005... IT'S NOT UNUSUAL FOR BUILDERS TO PUT UP HOUSES THAT carry out a theme, but it can be a tricky design challenge. Get all the details just right, and you've got a winner. Miss the mark, and you could end up with an exaggerated design that looks...

Turnkey entry doors.(Special Advertising Section)
February 1, 2005... A BEAUTIFUL ENTRY DOOR SYSTEM SHOULD BE A PRIORITY TO BUILDERS. NOT ONLY DOES IT GIVE BUYERS A FIRST IMPRESSION OF A BUILDER'S QUALITY STANDARDS; A WELL-CRAFTED, ATTRACTIVE ENTRY SYSTEM IS A MINIMAL INVESTMENT COMPARED TO THE PROFIT MARGIN IT...

Caring crusaders: Hearthstone winners Larry Webb and Joe Pusateri share their building expertise and leadership skills to improve the lives of those in their communities.(Hearthstone Builder Lifetime Public Service Award)
February 1, 2005... WHEN THEIR ASSOCIATES describe Larry Webb and Joe Pusateri, they use words like "hero," "risk taker," and "optimist." Without prompting, they explain that if not for the leadership and generosity of Webb, chairman and CEO of Newport Beach,...

Honorable mentions.(Stephen A. Goldberg Co.)
February 1, 2005... Once again, Hearthstone and BUILDER have selected three builders to receive honorable mentions for their charitable work and contributions. They are: Ralph Drees, chairman, The Drees Co., Fort Mitchell, Ky. Ron Terwilliger, chairman...

Raising the bar: Part 1: the movement gains momentum: new codes, green building programs, and niche marketing have nudged sustainable building practices and products into the mainstream. This special report, the first of a three-part series on green building, looks at the progress and challenges facing the sustainable housing movement.(Special report: green building update)
February 1, 2005... THE FIRST GREEN BUILDING program in the United States took shape just 15 years ago in Austin, Texas, as a result of the efforts of a few forward-looking individuals. Today, about 30 green building programs can be found nationally, most of them...

Momentum, momentum, momentum: fireworks and living sculptures at a new development's open house will help sales only if they're part of a winning marketing-strategy.
February 1, 2005... THE CLUBHOUSE WAS FEStooned with yellow "caution" tape, and wooden sawhorses doubled as tables. Everyone who entered was issued a hard hat. When they weren't sipping soup or eating quiche, the 150 invited Realtors played with model Tonka...

Building windows ... creating solutions.(Product Spotlight)
February 1, 2005... Life presents you with enough obstacles, windows shouldn't be one of them. Let Silver Line help make your life easier with our selection of quality built windows. For over 57 years, we've been designing windows that are among the best in the...

Pay to play: national builders have grown larger in recent years through a host of mergers and acquisitions. But local and smaller regional builders want to expand, too. At a time when access to capital has increased, here are a few ways they're fueling that growth.
February 1, 2005... AMCAL MULTI-HOUSING, A LONG-TIME home builder in Southern California, decided in 1997 to leave the for-sale business. The company wanted to concentrate its efforts on building affordable rental projects that it had financed through the state's...

Trimline helps builders profit across the country: Trimline Ridge Vents offer quality performance, great appearance and quick installation.(Special Advertising Section)
February 1, 2005... Timline[R] Ridge Vents provide superior roof ventilation by creating a balanced system to continuously release hot, moist attic air while drawing in fresh air through soffit vents. A balanced, continuous ventilation system increases a home's...

Beware of spyware: builders who depend on their computers need to understand the threats spyware poses.
February 1, 2005... HOME BUILDERS ARE NOT KNOWN FOR their affinity for computers, but they still need to care enough to protect their machines from spyware, an insidious type of software that can invade a computer without a user's knowledge and create all kinds of...

What's new on Builder Online: tracking your favorites.(Missing Links)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... KNOWING WHAT OUR READERS VALUE about BUILDER Online helps our Web team fine-tune the site and develop new features. A new Web analysis tool now gives us greater insight into our readers' browsing habits--and will help us meet your needs better...

So you can find the one you've always dreamed of.(Plan Sales)(Brief Article)(Advertisement)
February 1, 2005... On eplans, finding the perfect home is almost as easy as dreaming about it. And just as much fun. With 10,000 plans online, you can instantly search by style, square footage, and number of bedrooms. You can even customize a plan, access...

Builder plans: featuring new plans from the nation's leading designers.
February 1, 2005... Old World Style Incorporating Old World style and traditional elements, this house combines stone and stucco with gable peaks and arched windows for a stunning European facade. The grand entry leads to an open floor plan that caters to the...

Landscaping, decking, and room enclosures.(Special Advertising Section)
February 1, 2005... THE BEAUTY ON THE OUTSIDE REFLECTS THE BEAUTY ON THE INSIDE. IT'S A SENTIMENT THAT APPLIES TO HOMES TOO. HOMEOWNERS WANT THEIR HOME'S EXTERIOR TO MAKE A STATEMENT AND REFLECT THE WARMTH AND BEAUTY WITHIN. BUT IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT IMPRESSING...

Highland Park, Texas.(Walk Through)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... IN THE FIRST DECADE OF THE 20TH CENTURY, THE OWNERS OF a large parcel of land located just four miles north of Dallas hired Wilbur David Cook, the renowned landscape architect who had laid out much of Beverly Hills, Calif., to design a new...