What matters in luxury real estate now? Location is everything, and a great architect is an essential part of the equation. This New French Eclectic home in Highland Park is the epitome of what buyers want today.
If you are building a luxury home without a talented architect and an accomplished builder, do not pass go. Go directly to real estate jail. There is absolutely no excuse not to hire the best architect you can find, and this house is an example of why that is critical.
If anyone understands the evolution of classic architecture, it’s Richard Drummond Davis. Davis is a nationally recognized architect known for blending classic architecture with contemporary design, which is exactly what our buyers want today.
Dallas luxury residential design is rooted in classic style, and I cannot see that changing. Sure, we have gorgeous ultra-modern homes, but they will never overtake that love of classic architecture, and boy, do we love anything French.
What’s a New French Eclectic?
So, what makes this home a New French Eclectic? The modern façade but French detailing make it a fresher take on French Eclectic architecture. For example, the famous Aldredge House on Swiss Avenue is a classic example of French Eclectic architecture. With fewer flourishes and more modern lines, the New French Eclectic retains the soul of the style while giving it a more modern feel for today’s households. We want tradition but with cleaner lines and always a bit of drama. That is just what New French Eclectic offers.
The drama unfolds the moment you enter the home, with one of the more spectacular staircases we’ve seen in a long time. There is also no hard division between the entry and formal living areas, making you wonder why we ever thought a closed-off formal living room was a good idea. Doing away with that sense of confinement means this entire area flows beautifully and offers an immediate and expansive view through the home to the outdoor patio, pool, and backyard.
Taking it From Splendid to Iconic
Colby Craig Custom Homes worked with Davis to create this 9,832 square-foot, five-bedroom, six-bathroom home with two powder baths, a home gym, a media room, and an outdoor area that rivals the best resorts.
As exquisite as this New French Eclectic home was, we know tasteful buyers always bring something clever to every house.
“When the present owners purchased the home, they took it to the next level,” Compass listing agent Jonathan Rosen said. “They customized the wine room under the stairs, enclosing it with glass and making it a visual piece of the house. It offers a nice depth to the house and a glow to that area.”
The principal suite is on the first floor, which we don’t often see in Highland Park, and the home office is just off this area with a corner view of the pool and backyard. All of that natural light makes it an ideal place to work.
The house originally had a five-car garage, which seems excessive even for Highland Park. The present owners enclosed two of the garage spaces and created a home gym, which is also on the first floor.
Another significant change they made was enclosing an upstairs patio to create a fourth living area presently used as a game room. There is great flexibility to the home, which buyers have been wanting since the pandemic taught us we all need private space as well as areas to gather.
We also value outdoor space like never before. All the stops were pulled out on this home to offer a complete outdoor living experience with an outdoor kitchen and dining area and a beautiful pool and pergola. There is even an in-ground trampoline for the kiddos.
This New French Eclectic home is truly one of the best examples of what we should design and build today.
Rosen has this New French Eclectic at 4350 Rheims Place listed for $12.999 million.
