Empty nesters retiring to the Park Cities? They love the renowned schools, but more couples are moving to the Park Cities after their children leave the nest of a large North Dallas/Preston Hollow or even Plano home for very specific reasons: security, lower taxes, walkability, and beautiful parks that someone else maintains.
When it comes to security, anyone who hears the news or owns a Ring knows Dallas has a big problem. In fact, we are on track for 228 murders this year. Not so the Park Cities, where you are never more than a mile away from a park. When it comes to schools, your home investment in the Park Cities is blue-chip safe because even though you may not need the higher-rated schools, the next buyer may.
Enter 3912 Windsor, marketed by Gretchen Brasch and Elly Holder of Compass. I swear this home is a brand new classic build. Actually, it’s about nine years old, which is really nothing for home age, and an immaculate custom-built, one-owner dream. I have seldom seen a home so lightly lived in (I wondered for a split second if it was a builder’s model!) and so transitionally contemporary without being a stark white stucco box. The architect, Paul Turney, wisely chose painted white brick, ahead of his design time — plus long, broad metal windows and French doors, upstairs balconies, and capped it with a metal roof. Downbursts be damned, that metal roof is hail-proof and going nowhere the next time 71 mph winds pack into our area.
The location, something you cannot change, is flawless: 3912 Windsor is east of Preston Road, making the home more walkable and rewarding than most: the road dead-ends at the Dallas Country Club golf course. Highland Park Village and Starbucks are just to the south, as is the new YMCA. Or head a little further east to Snider Plaza and the SMU campus, inspiring your senses and stimulating your brain with classes and lectures. You are talking about my dream retirement!
In fact, this home is so walkable, you will probably lose 10+ pounds by walking and keep them off.
Go inside, the home is light and bright, because of the generous windows, over-sized rooms, and perfectly proportioned traffic flow.
You enter from an understated side entrance bluestone patio. The foyer is wrapped with attractive paneling and millwork, centered on limestone and hardwood flooring with herringbone accents. Yes, that is Gracie wallpaper on the dining room ceiling, and I love the stained walnut ceiling treatments in the family room. Love the centered and symmetrical limestone fireplace in the formal living room: it makes me feel like my life is in balance.
You will always have plenty of room for guests, be it a charity event or family. The kitchen is large and efficient with Carrara countertops, a large butcher block center island that provides a warming relief from the all-white feel, and Sub Zero-Wolf-Miele appliances. Woodwork and wall/ceiling millwork is rich and prevalent in every major area, from that foyer to the formal living room, the dining room, the den and even the kitchen ceiling.
The master bedroom is upstairs, which is actually very positive for several reasons. One, it unleashes the first floor to greater room space and entertainment area. Two, it is far easier for small grandchildren who won’t sleep upstairs alone when the master is down (and you really don’t want them to). Not to worry, there is a designated closet space for an elevator if you wish, and those can be added for as little as $15,000.
And with the master upstairs, the room has the square footage to be more grand: the spa bath features a Thassos marble bath with blue Celeste mosaic tile accent rug, dual vanities, abundant storage, and two huge closets.
There are three additional bedrooms upstairs, all en suite, for a total of four. The first one at the top of the stairs is so breathtaking you’ll think it must be the master. This is where the guests who you really want to stay for extended periods will sleep. The bathrooms are also up-to-date and pristine, cloaked in Ann Sacks glass tiles.
It’s as if the designer had ESP on future trends when building this home. This home truly exemplifies the phrase, “timeless”.
“I have never come across a home that managed to meld transitional style design-changes over it’s relatively few years of age,” says the agent, Gretchen Brasch of Compass. “This is the perfect residence for Park Cities empty nesters who want an in-town anchor home that is completely proximate and great for parties, but can be locked to leave for weekends at the ranch, a couple weeks with out-of-state children, three months in Aspen or travelling across Europe.”
And here is even more great news: for those young nesters who like to plan ahead, it totally works when the kids are still at home. I mean, the home is 5540 square feet on almost a quarter of an acre that is virtually maintenance free. There is a porch, a patio, even a planning office great for hobbies, wrapping, or a small business headquarters. And plenty of romping room for a pup.
Why not start the fun early?
Asking $2,995,000 and just listed in early May.
