About Douglas Newby (SMU ’74,’80)

The 1911 Group is proud to spotlight our member Douglas Newby, a past president of the SMU Town and Gown Club and a nationally recognized real estate broker known for his work with modern and architecturally significant homes in Dallas. Douglas Newby is the founder and broker of Architecturally Significant Homes.

Douglas Newby earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Southern Methodist University, completing a Bachelor of Science in Social Science in 1974 and a Master of Public Administration in 1980. His master’s thesis, Economic Incentives to Revitalize an Inner City Neighborhood, guided his early work in neighborhood renewal and historic preservation.

He began his career as the owner of Munger Place Real Estate from 1976 to 1990. During that time, he helped establish a revolving fund for Preservation Dallas and served as the agent arranging the purchase and restoration of 25 properties that became the foundation of the Munger Place Historic District. His work helped create a real estate marketplace for what became the first single family historic district in Dallas.

In 1990, Newby founded Architecturally Significant Homes, becoming the first realtor in the United States to specialize in architecturally significant and architect designed homes. Based in Dallas, he helps clients buy and sell modern, midcentury, estate, and historic homes, with a focus on architectural integrity, context, and neighborhood character. He is known for identifying the best sites for architect designed homes and for articulating the architectural and cultural value of each property he represents.

Among his most notable projects was the sale of the Crespi Hicks Estate in the Mayflower Estates area of Dallas. Designed by architect Maurice Fatio, the estate has been described as one of the finest private residences in the country. The transaction reflected Newby’s ability to represent architecturally important properties that require expertise, discretion, and an understanding of architectural history.

 

Throughout his career, Douglas Newby has shaped how Dallas views its architectural heritage and how neighborhoods define value. His work bridges the fields of real estate, urban studies, and preservation. For the SMU community, his career stands as a clear example of civic leadership rooted in scholarship and long term commitment to place.