This week, our Member Spotlight shines on Douglas Newby, a visionary real estate broker and past president of SMU Town and Gown. Recognized nationally for his expertise in modern and architecturally significant homes, Douglas has left an indelible mark on Dallas’s architectural landscape. Douglas played a pivotal role in the revitalization of Munger Place, has represented landmark estates such as the Crespi Estate, and continues to champion the preservation and thoughtful development of Dallas’s most storied neighborhoods. Through his work, Douglas connects SMU’s legacy of civic leadership with the city’s architectural and cultural evolution—celebrating the spirit of innovation, history, and community that defines Dallas.

Douglas has built a measurable edge in Dallas real estate: his firm has sold more architecturally significant homes than any other agent in the city, often representing both buyers and sellers of modern and historic properties. He pioneered the category—trademarking Architecturally Significant Homes®—to identify residences defined by design excellence, context, and long-term value rather than trend or scale. His career began in the Munger Place Historic District, where his graduate research on inner-city revitalization informed preservation strategies that helped restore the neighborhood’s early 20th-century homes and secure its landmark status.

Over the years, Douglas has advanced preservation through action—brokering protected sales with deed restrictions to prevent teardowns, advising on redevelopment of historic estates, and collaborating with architects and civic leaders to safeguard Dallas’s design legacy. His influence continues to shape how the city understands the relationship between architecture, neighborhood identity, and lasting community value.