I have always been a fan of Glen Abbey, that gated, pristine collection of luxury estates developed on what was once the secluded ranch home of Clint Murchison Sr., a famed Texas oil magnate and philanthropist. Cowboys connection: Clint Murchison was the father of Dallas Cowboys co-founder Clint Murchison Jr. Glen Abbey was created on the land sold to former Dallas Mayor Robert Folsom by Lupe Murchison, widow of John Murchison, Clint Jr.’s brother and co-founder of the Dallas Cowboys. Originally 100 luxury lots, Hawkins-Welwood Homes built 60 of the 100 amazing homes there.
It’s called The Lawn at Glen Abbey. The Lawn at Glen Abbey began construction of homes in 2016. It may very well be my next forever home.
Folsom Properties began developing Glen Abbey in 1999, one of the few developments in Dallas that I actually witnessed “being born”. Fine builders and architects were brought in to design huge, sprawling houses, folks like architect Robbie Fusch and builders such as the aforementioned Hawkins-Welwood Homes. Together they partnered to develop perfect estate lots.
Glen Abbey has transitioned in the same way many a luxury development has, from that of a rich family’s ranch playground to a rural oasis for those who love the feeling of the outdoors within city limits. Think Vaquero. The lots are sprawling acres or more.
And this is where Tony and Candice Romo chose to build their 20,000 square foot plus, “money is no object” dream home. Not Highland Park, not Preston Hollow. Glen Abbey.
Glen Abbey’s topographical beauty is further insulated from the density of Dallas by White Rock Creek and the surrounding nature preserve. There is park land, and golf courses beyond it, all surrounding your small estate. Yet this is the perfect location to get downtown via the Dallas North Tollway, or north to Legacy. Neighbors include prominent attorneys, physicians, business owners, CEOs, and athletes such as Romo.
The Lawn at Glen Abbey is the zero-lot line component of Glen Abbey proper. Construction of homes in 2016. The name was derived from the Lawn on the grounds of the University of Virginia designed by Thomas Jefferson. The gated community offers 75 patio home type properties that deliver what many Baby Boomers and even some Millennials crave: the elegance and loaded living essentials of a luxury, custom built home, plus freedom from maintaining a large property.
And a plus: gated security for a true “lock and leave” lifestyle. But at the same time, you do not have to settle for living surrounded by concrete. You can have White Rock Creek behind your home and still spot a bobcat, fox or coyote in the brush during early morning hours, sipping coffee on your patio.
Location: The Lawn at Glen Abbey abuts Glen Abbey proper, neighbors Bent Tree Country Club, with Keller Springs Road as its southern boundary.
Pricing: about $1.1 to $1.7 million
Average lot size: 120 by 45 feet.
Prime example: 36 Fawn Wood.
This three bedroom, three and a half bath plus study and game room home sports a total living area of 3,799 square feet: how can you possibly need more? And all living can be done right on the first floor in very roomy, open spaces. One of the many advantages of The Lawn at Glen Abbey is that generous lot sizes afford almost every home a study or guest bedroom on the first floor, plus the most generous master suites in North Texas.
This home makes the most out of side patio space, creating three charming porches. Enter from a side porch that leads to a foyer with staircase. To the right is the study or guest room with half bath, which could easily be a full bath. To the left is the formal dining room. The huge kitchen is open to the formal dining, with casual dining provided at the immense center island. A large laundry/mud room connects the kitchen to the two-car garage.
Beyond the kitchen/din ing is the huge family room with a private veranda. To the left is the master suite with vestibule and his/her huge closets. This sets the master in a wing of it’s own for privacy should you have house guests. It also utilizes the family room as a true living space should one partner wish to sleep while the other watches TV or reads.
Up the stairs or elevator are two bedrooms, two baths and a game-room. I have already put dibs on these for office space and wonderful quarters for grandchildren and guests.
36 Fawn Wood Drive is available for $1,375,000. With the expansive views from the veranda and master bedroom, this home has two outdoor living spaces and uninterrupted views of a large greenway… with ZERO maintenance. The home is of the highest quality materials, a rock-solid built by Hawkins-Welwood, one of the most trusted names in Dallas home-building with more than 61 years of experience.
The Lawn at Glen Abbey is an HOA community, dues are $4700 a year and include all lawn maintenance, a 24/7 guardhouse, and that perfect location with easy access to the Dallas North Tollway OR Preston Road to the east. Stay tuned for more wonderful discoveries in this incredible neighborhood.
This story has been updated with corrected information about the original owners of Glen Abbey, John and Lupe Murchison.
