Historic Durant House Receives Full Structural Repair
Owners of the 1903 Dallas property restored the leaning sidewall through a comprehensive adaptive preservation project.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Home Renovation
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Architect Russell Buchanan and owners Shannon Wynne and Casey McManemin have completed an adaptive restoration of the historic 1903 Durant House in Dallas. The project successfully stabilized the structure after its sidewall leaned six to eight inches away from the home.
Why it matters
This project highlights the technical challenges of preserving aging historic structures that lack modern foundational support. The owners undertook this restoration to safeguard the integrity of local Dallas history while significantly extending the lifespan of the property.
The home, originally built by Owen Hughes in 1903, required a total dismantling of its framing and brickwork due to a significant sidewall shift. The team utilized original Abilene bricks salvaged during the process to reconstruct the exterior of the house.
The players
Russell Buchanan
An architect who managed the adaptive reuse and technical restoration design of the Durant House.
RenPro General Contracting
The construction firm responsible for the physical reconstruction and implementation of the architect's plans.
Shannon Wynne and Casey McManemin
The owners of the Durant House who championed the preservation of the historic Dallas property.
Preservation Dallas
A local nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection and advocacy of Dallas historic sites.
The details
To address the lack of a proper foundation, the crew employed a building-within-a-building concept to support the structure while restoring the walls. The team carefully removed shingles, rafters, and framing from the top down, then cleaned and stored the original bricks before rebuilding the home to modern standards. The restored residence now integrates new features like glass paneling and tailored-aluminum trim with its historic masonry base.
Timeline
1903: The Durant House was originally built by Owen Hughes.
2022: A section of the home's sidewall leaned six to eight inches away from the structure.
Summer 2026: Preservation Dallas released a statement regarding the restoration project.
The Home Front
This restoration aligns with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties by prioritizing structural stabilization and material reuse over demolition. It reflects a growing trend in Dallas to preserve aging residential assets through adaptive reuse rather than replacing them with modern builds.
Homeowners managing historic properties should monitor wall alignments and foundation settling regularly, as early detection of shifting is critical for structural safety. Consult a licensed structural engineer if you notice significant leaning or wall cracks to assess the integrity of your home's support system.
The takeaway
Historic home restoration requires careful planning to balance period-accurate aesthetics with modern structural safety standards. Property owners should document original construction materials before starting repairs to ensure as much of the historic fabric as possible can be safely salvaged and reused.
Further reading
Learn more about local preservation efforts in the Dallas Home Renovation section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Architect’s Newspaper.
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