Summary
In this live-recorded episode of The Blueprint Tour from the 2024 CREI Summit in Atlanta, hosts Kenny Shultz and Carter Huddleston sit down with Dallas developer Tanya Ragan, a leading force in historic renovation, adaptive reuse, and urban revitalization. Known for transforming some of downtown Dallas’ most storied landmarks, Tanya shares how her passion for design, her entrepreneurial spirit, and her hands-on approach have allowed her to breathe new life into buildings others thought were beyond saving.
The conversation dives into Tanya’s journey from New York fashion to Dallas real estate, the wild story of moving a 5,000-square-foot bank building across town, and the surprising treasures hidden inside century-old structures—from original pine floors to untouched bank vaults. She explains how historic tax credits, adaptive reuse strategies, and community engagement fuel these projects, while also unpacking the unique challenges developers face when navigating preservation rules, rising construction costs, and city politics.
Along the way, the trio swaps stories on the risks and rewards of historic rehab, why many developers shy away from these projects, and how creativity often makes the difference between a deal dying and a neighborhood thriving. Tanya’s candid insights highlight not only the grit it takes to make these projects happen, but also the lasting community impact when they succeed.
It’s an inspiring and practical discussion for developers, engineers, investors, and anyone curious about how history, creativity, and perseverance can reshape entire city blocks.
Keywords
CREI Summit, commercial real estate, Tanya Ragan, Dallas real estate, historic renovation, adaptive reuse, urban revitalization, boutique hotels, bank buildings, preservation, real estate development, construction challenges, tax credits, MEP engineering, community impact, CRE community, entrepreneurship, women in real estate
Takeaways
Historic rehab projects hide surprises—sometimes costly, sometimes priceless.
Creative problem-solving (and sometimes moving entire buildings) can save history and spark neighborhood growth.
The historic tax credit process in Texas has become more efficient and developer-friendly.
Many deals die due to permitting, construction costs, or preservation constraints—not lack of vision.
Developers who stay hands-on and nimble can outlast larger institutional players in competitive markets.
Passion for community and authenticity often drives long-term value more than pure financial returns.
Sound Bites
“When we pulled back the layers, we found pine floors, tin ceilings, and original brick—like a time capsule 119 years old.” – Tanya Ragan
“We literally bought a building for one dollar, moved it eight blocks, and saved it from demolition.” – Tanya Ragan
“Doing historic rehab is like being in an abusive relationship—it beats you up, but you keep coming back for more.” – Tanya Ragan
“The stars aligned, and that corner facade faced downtown Dallas exactly the way it did a century ago.” – Tanya Ragan
“Passion for the urban core is what keeps me going, even when the process turns gray hair grayer.” – Tanya Ragan
Chapters
Welcome and CREI Summit Intro
Meet Tanya Ragan: From Fashion to Real Estate
Reviving Dallas History: The Purse Building
The Surprises Behind Historic Walls
Saving the Liberty State Bank for $1
When Creativity Saves Deals (and Buildings)
Historic Tax Credits and Preservation Rules in Texas
Why Developers Walk Away (and Why Tanya Stays)
The Rewards of Urban Revitalization
Tanya’s Hands-On Approach to Development
Final Thoughts and Where to Find Tanya
Where to Find Tanya Ragan
LinkedIn · Twitter (X) · Wildcat Management
Where to Find The Blueprint Tour
YouTube · TikTok · TheBPTour.com · Kenny Shultz (Host) · Carter Huddleston (Host)
