A Case Study by a Leading Construction Cost Estimator in Texas
Geneva Heights Elementary exterior rendering with modern entry canopy and gym addition, cost estimating by Halford Busby, a construction cost estimator in Houston. Photo Credit: BRW
Project Type: Demo, Renovation/Addition and New Construction
Architect: BRW Architects
Project Name: Dallas ISD ORG 174 Geneva Heights Elementary
Location: 5895 Goodwin Ave, Dallas, TX 75206
Size: 90,414 SF
Year of Completion: 2024
At Halford Busby, we’re proud to be a trusted construction cost estimator in Houston, supporting projects across the state. Our role is simple: provide accurate, reliable cost data so that bold ideas can become reality without breaking budgets.
One project that captures this balance is Geneva Heights Elementary School in Dallas ISD — a $31 million effort that preserves history while creating a modern school for a new generation.
Honoring History, Embracing the Future
Originally built in 1931, Geneva Heights’ red-brick, art deco façade was a neighborhood treasure. Additions in 1956, the 1970s and 1995 expanded the campus.
When Dallas ISD launched its $3.5 billion 2020 Bond Program, the community called for two things: preserve the historic building and deliver a modern facility for 750 Pre-K through fifth grade students.
The result is a 91,000-square-foot school that blends preserved heritage with brand-new wings for collaborative learning, dining, athletics and outdoor education.
A Complex Site with Smart Solutions
Scope-to-budget site plan option, showing tight site constraints and planned additions. Photo Credit: Dallas ISD
With only one-quarter of the land of a typical elementary campus, every square foot mattered.
Solutions included:
- Outdoor gardens and courtyards for hands-on learning,
- Glazed connectors linking historic and new structures, and
- Durable, cost-efficient finishes like terracotta brick and EQUITONE wall panels.
Safety First: ICC 500 Storm Shelter
Severe weather resilience was non-negotiable. Geneva Heights includes a 6,540-square-foot ICC 500 storm shelter, embedded in the gym addition. Constructed from reinforced concrete but finished to complement the school’s design, the shelter blends safety with functionality.
The Role of a Construction Cost Estimator
Our Houston-based team guided costs at every milestone:
- Pre-Design (Sept. 2021): Identified a $4.5 million variance against the construction cost limitation due to demolition, shelter structure and MEP systems.
- Schematic Design (Nov. 2021): Refined to about $23.9 million construction costs, aligning scope with budget.
- 50% & 95% Construction Documents (2022): Incorporated market escalation for steel, roofing and MEP systems.
Our independent estimates helped Dallas ISD and BRW Architects make informed, cost-conscious decisions at each step.
Community Voice and Modern Systems
The school’s design wasn’t just about architecture — it was shaped by the community’s “BIG” ideas:
- Expand while preserving a strong sense of community,
- Remain a beloved part of the neighborhood and
- Celebrate and mirror the richness of the community’s diversity.
Upgrades also included modern HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems, ensuring comfort and long-term performance.
Recognition for Excellence
Geneva Heights recognized with Stars of Distinction for design, value and community impact. Photo Credit: BRW
The project has received high honors:
- TASA/TASB Exhibit of School Architecture — earned Stars of Distinction for design, value, wellness, community and planning.
- Preservation Achievement Award from Preservation Dallas, celebrating the preservation of its 1931 façade.
- Recognition by Learning by Design Magazine for innovative educational spaces.
These awards affirm that Geneva Heights isn’t just a building — it’s a case study in how thoughtful planning and accurate estimating create lasting value.
A Legacy Preserved, a Future Built
Geneva Heights Elementary renderings showing preserved historic façade and new classroom wings with outdoor learning, delivered with guidance from Halford Busby, a trusted construction cost estimating firm in Houston. Photo Credit: BRW
In 2024, Geneva Heights reopened as an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme campus, serving its diverse community with modern, inspiring spaces.
For Halford Busby, this project highlights how a construction cost estimator can guide owners through complex decisions, protect budgets and deliver more than numbers — delivering trust and impact.
Why Choose Halford Busby
Located in Houston, Halford Busby offers deep expertise in cost estimating, program and project management—especially for schools, higher education and municipal work. What sets us apart:
- Proven Accuracy from Concept Through Bid: We apply rigorous, detail-oriented estimating and use current local data, so your estimates stay reliable from early planning to final bid.
- Market-Aware Risk Insight: Houston’s construction market moves fast. We track materials, labor and regulatory trends, so we can help you anticipate and mitigate risk before it becomes cost overrun.
- Transparent, Data-Driven Guidance that Balances Scope & Vision: We partner with you to align project goals, budget and long-term outcomes using metrics, lifecycle cost analysis and rigorous scenario planning.
Geneva Heights Elementary is a great example: accurate estimating—not just cost control—enabled a school that’s beautiful, functionally strong and award-winning.
Looking for a construction cost estimator in Houston? Contact Halford Busby today to see how we can support your next project.
References
Dallas ISD Project Documents (internal uploads)
- DISD Geneva Heights ES Pre-Design (STB) Estimate – Updates for SD. November 2021. Pre-design cost estimates and CSI breakdown.
- Geneva Heights Elementary School (Org 174) SD Volumes 1–3. November 2021. Schematic Design scope validation, schedules, and plans.
- GHES 50% CD Cost Estimate. February 2022. Mid-design cost check, steel and MEP pricing updates.
- 174 Geneva Heights ES 95% CD Drawings. April 2022. Final scope validation, storm shelter diagrams, and title sheets.
- Finish Boards. Design Development package. Exterior and interior material palettes (brick, stone, fiber cement, classroom and commons finishes).
- DISD Geneva Heights ES Exterior Elevations. Design Development package. North, south, east, and west façade renderings.
- DISD Geneva Heights ES Schemes. Pre-Design studies comparing addition/renovation vs. replacement building options.
- Geneva Heights ES Narratives. Pre-Design narratives outlining codes, storm shelter compliance, and planning principles.
- DISD Geneva Heights ES Demo Plans. Pre-Design drawings showing selective demolition of 1956, 1970s, and 1995 additions.
External Published Sources
- Texas School Architecture. “Geneva Heights Elementary.” Accessed September 2025. https://texasschoolarchitecture.org/?page_id=23568. Case study detailing project background, site constraints, outdoor learning, material selection, and storm shelter integration.
- Carpenter, Jenna. The Hub (Dallas ISD News). “A Legacy Preserved for a New Generation at Geneva Heights Elementary.” Dallas ISD, June 2, 2025. https://thehub.dallasisd.org/2025/06/02/a-legacy-preserved-for-a-new-generation-at-geneva-heights-elementary/. Article highlighting community engagement, $31 million bond funding, preservation of the 1931 structure, and program features.
- TASA/TASB Exhibit of School Architecture. “Stars of Distinction Awards 2025–26.” Texas Association of School Administrators. https://tasanet.org/tasa-tasb-award-stars-of-distinction-to-2025-26-school-architecture-projects/. Recognition of Geneva Heights ES for design, value, wellness, community, and planning.
- BRW Architects. “Preserving Geneva Heights.” BRW Discover Blog. https://www.brwarch.com/discover/preserving-geneva-heights/. Details on documentation, preservation of the 1931 Art Deco core, and integration with new additions.
Photo Credits: Renderings and site plans courtesy of BRW Architects and Dallas ISD.
