You know that Preston Center has been a hotbed of controversy these last few weeks, what with the Transwestern deal Behind the Pink Wall (the recipient of all the “No” signs proliferating) and now Highland House, a luxury high rise apartment vertical by Crosland Development slated for the heart of Preston Center, west of Preston, IF a zoning change is approved.
So we know what’s happening on all three corners of Preston and Northwest Highway. But what lurks in the quadrant behind the northwest corner, behind Ebby’s Little White House, Ebby’s personal residence, and all those trees?
This is the wild part of the estate area, because it is loaded with natural creeks, ponds and the biggest trees in the Hollow. Almost all the homes are on at least one acre, and in times past, they were on more. In the midst of this walkable wooded wonderland — Starbucks, mind you, is probably a three minute walk – is a gracious Austin stone estate on a 1.46 acre site. Originally built in 1937, the main residence was essentially re-built in 1980 and further recently remodeled. It features an expansive open floor plan designed as an entertainment mecca, both indoors and out. Throughout the home you find evidence of a place built for entertainment: numerous spaces and terraces, plus pool and parking for four cars. The outdoor views are phenomenal, visible through almost every window, and you would never, ever know how close you are to a dense urban environment offering the favorite foods and wares of the Park Cities/Preston Hollow nucleus that is Preston Center.
I mean Sprinkles: less than half a mile away, not even far enough to walk off the calories of consuming one red velvet cupcake! And with the new Chief Energy building going in, you could conceivably walk to work if your office was there.
The home has a fairly classic layout, like most of the area’s estates. The marble floored entry is flanked to the left by a formal living room with fireplace and adjacent sunroom with access to one of the several outdoor entertaining terraces. The formal dining room opens to the music room and then onto the large library with vaulted ceiling, built-in book cases and a wall of windows fully consuming the pool and lush grounds. An adjacent additional living area boasts a fully equipped bar, full views of the grounds and terrace access. The open kitchen is appointed with Dacor six burner gas cooktop, double ovens, microwave and warming drawer, full size Sub-Zero refrigerator and freezer, expansive storage, large entertaining island and a beautiful breakfast area overlooking the pool.
The master suite is breathtaking. It is a true regal retreat with a fireplace, domed ceiling with recessed lighting, and richly appointed his and her bathrooms and dressing areas. There are walk in closets, and an adjacent work out room with separate tub to soak away sore muscles all with, again, views of the property.
Let me tell you: you don’t need drapes in this house!
As you can imagine, every room is oversized. The home has 7703 square feet with three bedrooms, four living areas, six full and one half baths, a study, wine room, swimming pool, and full guest house. The property has been lovingly, painstakingly maintained which is why every room looks like a page right out of House Beautiful, if that magazine is still in business.
Now for the guest cottage. Since the home rests on 1.46 acres, there is plenty of room to run wild or build as many structures as you wish. The stunning guest house does double duty as a respite not just for guests, but for serious wine lovers. It contains a temperature controlled wine room large enough for dining, accented with stained concrete floors plus wet bar with farm sink. You are on ground, but it seems like you are below ground in a wine cellar. This house also has a great room with wet bar and the most beautiful round rock fireplace, vaulted ceiling and doors opening to a wisteria-covered walk way. This leads to a covered outdoor entertaining area with fireplace overlooking the poolside garden.
Of course there is a large bedroom with full bath and kitchen, a half bath for guests guests, and two car garage of its own.
Really, I think the wonder of this house is that it has it’s foot in two worlds — the Preston Hollow of yesteryear elegance and grace, when life in these woods was that of a gentleman farmer. Hobos walked the railroad tracks where todays Dallas North Tollway zips, stopping from house to house seeking work in exchange for a square meal.
And then there’s the bustling Preston Center of today, 2014: Sprinkles, Starbucks and Snuffers. Psychologists now tell us that green space actually lowers our blood pressure, maybe even makes us live longer. Well, live longer here at the most walkable home in Dallas: 8601 Jourdan Way, marketed by Dave Perry-Miller and Ryan Streif. Asking $3,195,000.
