Came word Monday that she was in crunch munch mode, then late Tuesday afternoon, when I drove by, all that was left was a huge pile of rubble.
4307 Armstrong was that magical white neoclassical beauty on Armstrong Parkway at the southeast corner at Douglas. It was owned by J.P. Morgan Securities broker Don Donnally and his wife, Carol. Built in 1937, she was one of the grand old dames of Armstrong. With a classic center hall floorplan, grand cascading oval stairway, mahogany library with wine closet and bar, remodeled kitchen, family room, game room, cabana, outdoor fireplace and living area, pool and spa, three car garage, and separate guest house, this home wined and dined — no wait, “mint juliped” —the dignitaries of Dallas. Oh yes, if those walls could talk! She had 7687 square feet, four huge bedrooms, six full and two half baths. She was three stories tall. The huge lot at .82 acres is one of the most delectably desirable in Highland Park with magnificent magnolias, trees, verdant grounds, a gazebo and a greenhouse. This was a home that exemplified graceful “Southern Living”.
She was on the market originally for $5,995,000 about a year ago. Then the price was lowered to $5,595,000. She sold in February for $5,357,500 to a California couple, Bryce and Leigh Williams. Molly Malone of Dave Perry-Miller was the selling agent, Erin Mathews of Allie Beth Allman brought the buyer. The home had once been listed with David Nichols of ABA for a whopping $7,989,000.
Then yesterday they started chipping away. By Tuesday afternoon, the graceful white mansion was a pile of white speckled rubble. By today, the lot should be cleared.
But the dirt — dirt lasts forever! Like the soul of a loved one, the dirt never leaves, never whimpers, just hangs around for the next act, the next round of mint julips.
