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By Giulia Carbonaro
Senior Reporter
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The Texas billionaire who demolished a century-old mansion in Highland Park, Dallas County, is now trying to erect a new building on the land where the iconic building once stood.
But in order to create the estate of his dreams, Andrew Beal needs to get the town authorities to agree to change the height zoning ordinance for residential properties like the one he intends to build.
Newsweek contacted Weinreb Ventures, where Beal's representative Moshe Itzhakov works, for comment by email on Tuesday morning.
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Why It Matters
When Beal decided to demolish the Italian Renaissance mansion that has stood at 4101 Beverly Drive in Highland Park since 1912, many locals were outraged by the disappearance of a beloved building which was considered the best example of Gilded Age architecture in Dallas.
Last summer, the nonprofit Preservation Park Cities (PCC) organization told NBC DFW that the demolition of the building was "a huge loss to the community" because of the mansion's "historic significance."
Ahead of a key vote last Thursday, the nonprofit called for supporters to oppose Beal's attempt to change zoning laws to fit his plans for a new home, saying an approval of his request would have "the unconscionable effect of rewarding the property owner who demolished the treasured Cox mansion."
Along with our community, we are saddened to see that what started as a restoration of The Cox Mansion has now resulted in demolition. We don’t have answers to our questions of how and why this...
What To Know
Beal, a Dallas-based banker, businessman and investor as well as the founder and owner of Beal Financial Corporation, bought the 1912 estate at 4101 Beverly Drive in 2021.
Between the 1970s and 2020, the home was owned by Dallas oilman Edwin L. Cox, who preserved its appearance while adding modern features like a swimming pool and an enclosed tennis court. The building then became widely known as the Cox Mansion.
When Beal first acquired the mansion, he said he had plans to restore it. Until late 2023, the Dallas Morning News reported, the billionaire was seeking permits to renovate the existing mansion, according to town records. Ultimately he pivoted towards demolishing the home and building a new one which he said will look as it's been in Highland Park for the last century, KERA reported.
There's no laws around the protection of historic homes in Highland Park, which believes that demolishing or renovating a property is up to the owner.
The Dallas billionaire now plans to build a new mansion, designed by New York architect Peter Pennoyer, with a glass and steel cupola that would bring the height of the building to just under 65 feet, the Dallas Morning News reported.
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At the moment, that's just above the maximum height allowed within the town's "A" zoning district, which applies to large lot single-family homes. Beal has reportedly applied to amend part of Highland Park's height zoning ordinance to fit his plans for the new estate. If his request is approved, the change would also increase setback requirements and square footage limitations for ornamental features.
Last Thursday, Highland Park's Zoning Commission voted 3-2 to approve Beal's request; the town council is expected to vote on February 4.
What People Are Saying
Moshe Itzhakov, a representative for Beal, wrote in a late 2024 letter to the town council: "We believe that revising the height provisions in the A zoning district would not only reflect modern design preferences but also uphold the aesthetic and architectural integrity of Highland Park."
Preservation Park Cities board member Larry Good told KERA: "That doesn't seem right that you demolish the most important historic home in Highland Park and in return, you're granted greater permissions to build back a replacement house."
What Happens Next
If approved, the change requested by Beal would be the first update to the zoning ordinances in the "A" district in 60 years, KERA reported. The change, however, would apply to four properties around Beverly Drive and Preston Road only.
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