#11 Aug 01, 25

How AJ Ramler Is Quietly Transforming the City

From FBI files to forgotten churches, this episode of Building Dallas uncovers the captivating story of AJ Ramler, founder of Proxy Properties.

Click here to watch a video of this episode.

Discover how one developer is preserving the soul of Oak Cliff through historic restorations, adaptive reuse, and hyper-local community development. Whether it’s converting a 1920s ice house or reviving the mysterious Madison Hotel—once tied to Lee Harvey Oswald—AJ is reshaping the future of North Texas one building at a time. If you're passionate about urban renewal, community-first development, or the real estate stories behind Dallas's cultural rebirth, you don’t want to miss this.

(00:00) - Oswald, the FBI, and a Historic Dallas Hotel
(00:18) - Welcome to Building Dallas – Intro by Chris
(01:00) - Meet AJ Ramler: The Developer Walking Oak Cliff
(02:44) - First Deal: House Hacking a Quadplex at Age 22
(05:00) - Lessons from Missing Out in Denton
(08:15) - Building a Life in Oak Cliff – Volleyball & Community
(11:00) - Restoring a 19th Century West Dallas Farmhouse
(13:28) - Why We Buy Buildings Nobody Wants
(15:00) - How We Decide What a Building Should Become
(17:00) - Talking to Neighbors Before Drawing Plans
(19:00) - Why Developers Need Community Buy-In
(21:00) - 8 Meetings a Day: Understanding What Oak Cliff Wants
(24:00) - Monkey Wallpaper, Oswald, and FBI Files?!
(26:00) - Reimagining the Madison Hotel for Today’s Needs
(28:30) - A 63,000 SqFt Ice House Becomes a Creative Hub
(30:00) - Jiu-Jitsu, Coffee Shops, and Mixed-Use Revivals
(32:00) - Saving the Historic Jefferson Methodist Church
(34:00) - Dallas Parking Reform: What It Means for Developers
(38:00) - Oak Cliff Wasn’t Built for Today’s Parking Codes
(40:30) - Growth, Trust, and Welcoming New Neighbors
(43:00) - Affordable Housing and Market Rate Rehab Projects
(47:00) - Big Box Apartments: A Necessary Tradeoff?
(49:30) - The Truth About Buying Your First Home
(52:00) - $150K Houses Still Exist in Dallas. Here’s the Catch.
(56:00) - Why We Don’t Build Outside of Oak Cliff
(59:00) - The People Who Taught Me Everything
(01:01:00) - McKayla’s Projects in Denton, Lancaster, Glen Rose
(01:04:00) - Final Thoughts: “I’ve Never Built for a Roof…”

Episode Video

Creators and Guests

Host

Chris Arrington

Chris Arrington is the President and Founder of Arrington Roofing. Originally trained as an architect, Chris left the drafting table over 40 years ago to pursue his true passion: building. With a lifetime of experience in construction, development, and roofing, he brings unmatched enthusiasm, depth, and vision to Building Dallas as a co-host. Get ready to go deeper as Chris shares the secret behind his success — a love for people and a relentless focus on the bigger picture.

Host

Reese Arrington

Reese Arrington is a co-host of Building Dallas, bringing a fresh perspective and dynamic energy to the show. Born and raised in Dallas, Reese's passion for storytelling and community engagement shines through in every episode. With a background in acting and media production, he excels at connecting with guests and drawing out compelling narratives. Reese's commitment to authentic conversations and his deep-rooted love for his hometown make him an integral voice in exploring the people and stories that shape Dallas.

Producer

Chase Arrington

Chase Arrington is the creator and executive producer of Building Dallas and owner of Arrington Media, a subsidiary of The Arrington Group, LLC. A fourth-generation Dallas native, Chase brings his lifelong passion for storytelling, entrepreneurship, and creative leadership to the show. With a background in filmmaking, music, and corporate media production — and a heart for building authentic connections — he’s driven to create spaces where people can share honest conversations, find meaning, and become their best. Chase is also a proud husband and father of three girls, and a believer in using vision and collaboration to help build a stronger, brighter Dallas for generations to come.