Mark Alexander brings something to
Irving/Las Colinas that it hadn’t had for
a long time now—a new master-planned
single family homes neighborhood.
Meet Rick Harrison at our February 2024 seminar in Dallas. Building Savvy will host an afternoon seminar presented by Mr. Harrison followed by a tour of Avadene. Learn more / sign up here.
By Beverly Smirnis
Mark Alexander got hooked on building luxury single family homes back in 1998 when he built his own house. He was that client who wanted to be hands-on, ask lots of questions and be a part of every decision made. He had a meticulous eye for each and every detail.
Fortunately, Mark had a patient and willing builder who delivered to his desires and expectations. Mark’s positive experience over the year it took to build his own home whet his appetite to build more. “So I sold my company and gave up my career as a CPA and CFO to become a homebuilder with an end-user point-of-view,” he explains.
“Whether it’s contemporary, Tuscan, European, Hill Country, transitional or traditional, we design each of our single family homes from the ground up around each client’s lifestyle,” says Mark, still exuding the same enthusiasm that got him started in the business.
instead of mindless automation for land planning. “Coving” neighborhood plans break away from the strict relationship
between home and street
While Mark has long lived in Las Colinas, his building activity has mainly been in and around Dallas’ luxury neighborhoods of Briarwood and Bluffview. There, older 1950s and 1960s buit single family homes on large lots become modern estate homes that sell for multi millions of dollars. Mark bought his first lot on Amherst Avenue in Dallas and built a luxury C-shaped home with style, details and craftsmanship that established his company’s brand and reputation and kept the job coming ever since.
“I love redeveloping in the established Dallas neighborhoods. It is great match for the luxury and quality level of single family homes that we build. But the same opportunities just didn’t exist closer to home—until now,” said Mark. “Then in March 2022, I ran across 22 acres just behind Fluor Corporation on Las Colinas Boulevard. I immediately saw the potential to bring something to Irving/Las Colinas that it hadn’t had for a long time now—a new master-planned single family home neighborhood.”
A March 2022 Vision Now a Swift Reality
The neighborhood’s name is a play on the names of his family members: Denelle, Aden and Avery. Indeed, Avadene is a dream project for Mark. And thanks to his drive and energy, it is now ready for construction of the neighborhood’s the first single family homes.
He remembered one of the last Building Savvy-hosted class before the pandemic. It was a presentation by Rick Harrison, founder and President of Rick Harrison Site Design Studio (RHSD) and Neighborhood Innovations. Rick has been instrumental in advancing land planning techniques as well as technology for almost all professions tied to land development and construction of single family homes.
A “Prefurbia” Neighborhood
At the seminar, Rick Harrison shared his expertise and opinions about neighborhood designs that shirk traditional “cookie cutter” designs to create “Prefurbia neighborhoods.” RHSD designs provide enhanced curb appeal, a higher standard for livability, reduced environmental impacts, and increased values.
“I looked up Rick’s contact information and reached out to him. He asked me to send him the site survery. In a few days, he designed a 73-lot plan for a gated neighborhood of luxury homes. And he made a video to illustrate the benefits of his design,” said Mark. Next, Mark presented Rick’s YouTube video to City Council members of Irving and Las Colinas. They saw street and home placement illustrations and heard explanations about Harrison’s different approach to land development. Avadene was destinted to become a special place.
With City Support Avadene is Ready
Not only did Mark win the approval of council members, but also their enthusiasm and support. The property closed in November 2022. Then, after a few tweaks to the original site plan vision, construction began on the streets and sewers and wall that surrounds the neighborhood.
At the end of 2023, Mark’s company, Alexander Hunt Distinct Home and one other custom builder are busy working with clients and their architects to design single family homes in Avadene. Construction of the first homes on 25 pre-reserved lots is underway. And Mark Alexander is simply beaming with pride and enthusiasm about it!
Learn more about Rick Harrison Site Design and why Avadene is a special place in our Savvy Special Report.
See the concept video of Avadene presented to the Irving and Los Colinas City Councils
