Oh my, look what I found. 3116 Beverly Drive, as in the most desirable street in all of Highland Park. On a corner lot, to boot. More than a quarter of an acre with a back yard, a pool, and a 6136 square foot home that was custom built to a discriminating woman’s specifications. The house was custom designed by Peggy Pollock, and Dallas starchitect Will Snyder with Boerder-Snyder was the architect. The home was built by Pat McKinley of Epix Properties.
This was also the home of a woman with a heart bigger than the state of Texas: the late, great Nancy Underwood. Though she was the second owner of this home, built in 1998, Nancy personalized it beautifully to her specifications. She entertained many guests elegantly in the three first-level entertainment areas. She used a sitting room off her master bedroom as a reading and meditation room, which also has a balcony with streaming sunlight. There are four bedrooms total, all with ensuite baths, four full baths and one powder. The master features an enormous spa bathroom gleaming with marble and two of everything — two commodes, two showers, two vanities. There is ONE soaking tub but TWO oversized walk-in closets. The upstairs foyer is large enough to become a sitting area. Throughout the entire home is a tasteful French subtlety with a lick of French design. And it begins right at the arched, delicately scroll iron-milled front door.
The foyer is a true southern foyer, with enough room for a center table, perhaps even a grand piano. Remember when you left you calling cards on the center hall table in the foyer? Neither do I, but I’m TOLD this was what happened in yonder years, when people rode horses and arrived via carriage. You needed a foyer large enough to swish your skirt. Actually, I like to think of large foyers as overflow entertainment rooms. Usually when I get to a party, I never make it much past the foyer… especially if someone is serving drinks!
The kitchen is a showplace with rare Blue Bahia granite on the center island, Sub Zero and other high end appliances, plus white cabinets accented with blue. The tile backsplash has a definite French note, and the breakfast bar is open to the large breakfast/morning room, alive with blue french toile fabric balloon shades in the French doors and oversized windows. All windows view the sparkling backyard pool, which, on the .27 acre lot, still leaves enough space for a large patio and some garden, thanks to the corner lot. The rear three car garage is topped with an 800 square foot guest home.
There is more to this location, however, than a coveted street: it is one of the most walkable areas in town, with the popular Katy Trail a skip, hop and jump away. Perusing the offerings right now on Beverly, this one looks to be the best bargain available: a newer home, a beloved owner, and le francaise! Listed with Rogers Healy & Associates (Rogers Healy) for $2,900,000, reduced from $3,350,000.
