Key facts
- The "North Dallas Special" was approximately 1,900 square feet with three bedrooms, formal living room, family room, dining area, kitchen, breakfast nook, patio, and a two-car garage.
- Fox & Jacobs studied buyers to determine preferences, such as a wet bar versus a guest half bath, or a larger primary bedroom.
- The "402" model was retired in 1981 when its price reached $75,000, making it unaffordable for the average family.
- By 1977, Fox & Jacobs held nearly 65% of the under-$50,000 new-home market in Dallas.
The "North Dallas Special," a house model built by Fox & Jacobs, became one of the most successful in American history, selling approximately 5,000 units. The company's approach, rooted in understanding buyer needs and treating homes as consumer products, contrasts with the modern homebuilding industry's focus on scale. Ike Jacobs, a Texas A&M graduate, and his brother Joe, with the backing of David G. Fox Sr., secured initial financing by building and selling a single house. In the mid-1950s, Fox & Jacobs pioneered the inclusion of central air conditioning in all homes in a subdivision, transforming the product offering in Dallas. The company also developed distinct product lines, such as Flair, Accent, and Today, to target different buyer segments, much like General Motors positioned its car brands.