You may have noticed a proliferation of real estate auctions lately — even before the election — of large trophy properties that have hung on the market for several seasons. For properties like these, auctions are the perfect solution and these homes are easing off the lot and into happy ownership.
Thus far, at least two of the local auctions have actually closed. And now Heritage Auctions has done it again, snagging 3908 Euclid, a Dave Perry-Miller listing with Martha Tiner at the helm listed for $6.4 million, that will be going, going, gone on Dec. 13. Like I said, get those bidding biceps ready!
Auctions are fun and a great way to shed the real estate a seller needs to shed for whatever reason — change in fortune, lifestyle, family size, or even just the need to psychologically move on. Read my daltxrealestate.com primer of real estate auctions right here. It even explains the reserve, which is not a vintage.
We helped sponsor a party for and covered Heritage Auction’s fantastic sale of the Penson estate at 3756 Armstrong, a significant O’Neil Ford creation from 1954. The home sold for $4.95 million and I am revealing the buyer in another post.
Nov. 14 was another large property auction, that of 6626 Talmadge Lane in North Dallas near the Dallas Aerobics Center. This is a 14,000-square-foot-plus property with a secret wine cellar, hot plate buffet, huge basement, elevator (tee hee hee), in a word, loaded. The agent, Tim Schutze, all but danced in an effort to sell it. I take that back: Tim DID dance for it, when we held a daltxrealestate.com Staff Meeting there in October 2015. The home was built by Mark Molthan for cripes sake, the same guy who built Tony Romo’s pad in Glen Abbey. Listing was originally $6.95.
On Oct. 14, Lee Bailey sold her notorious Turtle Creek property at 3816 Turtle Creek Drive with the pool in the foyer at auction with Concierge Auctions, the same folks who handled Talmadge. (Buyer also revealed in a future post, and you are going to die when you find out.)
The buyers just closed Nov. 14.
This home sold for $5,010,000 and that’s a little bit of a downer for DCAD, which has it appraised at $5,745,100. The home had been listed for $8,895,000 last January (2016). Lee Bailey bought Casa Bella Vista, which was previously known as Casa Bellamini, from the man who not only built the home but turned it into a residential piggy bank (or so the neighbors complained), Braden Power. Braden, who attended Greenhill, grew up in Dallas and runs Power Properties with his brother, Craig. Come to think of it, Braden was just high-end Airbnb before his time.
Here is how Concierge described the house:
Situated on the banks of Turtle Creek in the heart of uptown Dallas, this famed estate designed by Cole Smith is a seamless marriage of modern luxury and masterful design. This classically-inspired home is steeped in grandeur, featuring an indoor pool, jaw-dropping 4,000-square-foot great room, and one of the most opulent master suites to be found. Outside, open-air sophistication awaits on the expansive two-story loggia overlooking the infinity-edge pool and generous acreage bordering the creek with beautifully landscaped views.
The ancient Rome influence is evident, revealed in the front atrium foyer with a reflective pool right as you walk in the house. That pool is probably the most talked about pool in Dallas. It’s bordered with heated limestone passageways connecting the Moorish style entrance to French doors flanking the fireplace. Cole Smith was the architect. Details abound such as zebra wood inset in wood railings, hand-carved corbels, and monochromic wall and window coverings. The main kitchen is so integrated you don’t realize it’s a kitchen — a butler’s/catering kitchen is adjacent. The home is so sexy I think Viagra is circulated through the evaporator coils as a pheromone. There’s one-touch interior/exterior mood lighting and sound systems and, most vitally, automatic window coverings. Verrry private.
To be sure, when Lee Bailey bought the home, things calmed down considerable for the house and the neighbors.
Now Heritage is at it again with an amazing Highland Park property at 3908 Euclid. This home is an American Institute of Architecture award-winning five-bedroom, seven-bath contemporary powerhouse that brings minimalism to a beautiful new level. The location could not be better — the honeypot of Highland Park. Details within are mind boggling: wall-to-wall windows that pour in the light, water features, galleries, and proximity with a capital P.
Stay tuned for much, much more on 3908 Euclid. The auction takes place Dec. 13. This could be your chance to snag a significant Highland Park property, with Highland Park schools, for a song. Or a dance.
And SOMEONE is going to have the most lovely holiday.
