Do not miss this house, especially if you are looking for a lock and leave, get-out-of-Dodge- type place that is effortless to maintain, in a secure, friendly neighborhood, and will turn you on every time you walk in the front door. Welcome to 5706 Overdowns, the Ugly Ducky who became a swan with the help of architect extraordinaire Jay Peskuski and Dallas designer David Cadwallader. Oh yes, the very clever real estate agent helped a whole lot, too: Kelly Logsdon Rush at Ebby.
This home is also proof that an indoor swimming pool can be a positive IF you make it a focal point of the home!
5706 Overdowns was gutted, oh was she gutted, every bit of 4192 square feet re-designed, re-worked until perfect.
Once upon a time this was an unfortunate home neighbors shunned. More than one contractor suggested a total tear down. Built in 1980, I have no idea what they were smoking at the time this was created but then, Timothy Leary was still alive. Turn on, tune in, drop out! The home was clad in sallow beige brick and scarred wood siding, with one single dippy window in the front of the house that looked as if it was a San Quentin hangover. There was a chain link fence, multiple floor surfaces and a “sunken” living room (dear God, why did people make those? Sunken living room = sink hole), wood laminate counters (well, they were the cat’s meow in 1980) and my favorite: a Home Depot grade garden room with perpetually foggy glass windows. Oh, and then the enclosed swimming pool that brought back memories of being at the (sing it!) YMCA!
Months ago, a brilliant real estate investor with vision got hold of this house and said, ” I Have a Dream.” He must have been wearing Google Glasses. Whatever, we hope he keeps on wearing them! 5706 Overdowns is not just a new woman, she is re-engineered, she is ROBOCOP!
With fresh brick and solid wood, new doors, windows and glass, and completely new construction, this home has transformed into a soft contemporary marvel. The front entrance is defined by a custom wood grid screen that matches the coffee-chocolate dark wood kitchen cabinets. The giant living/great/dining room (almost 30 by 24) opens with natural European-style oiled hardwoods, lights, soaring ceilings and a marble-wrapped fireplace. Off this room are spiral stairs to a 16 by 12 loft with balcony, perfect for an office or secondary living area. The stunning kitchen with mammoth white Cesearstone island/breakfast bar commands the room. Stainless appliances and deep sink, Viking, and imported fixtures complete the sleekness.
Then there is the pool: four glass panel sheaths slide open to a sparkling blue indoor pool with waterfall, deck and “outdoor” shower. The pool is perfect, not Olympic, and could easily be kept warm year-round for therapeutic dips. Moisture in this room will help shield you from the flu, but the house bears no scent of chlorine.
Here’s my plan: take a cue from Braden Powers’ (original owner), now Lee Bailey’s 8,430-square-foot, two-story mansion, with a party/spa master bathroom the size of DFW and salt-water pool in the living room, at 3816 Turtle Creek: give the spa a dual purpose as a media room. Can you imagine watching Downton Abbey while soaking in an 80 degree pool with a nice bottle of Veuve? Give the servants the night off!
Down a simple hallway are two bedrooms with en suite baths and built-ins, a large laundry with sink and room for a secondary or wine fridge, closets, and the master bath.
Now we are talking: 24 by 13 feet, his and her’s baths (one has a soaking tub and sauna) huge closet and the best part of the house: the exterior back deck overlooking a thickly wooded creek.
It’s as if there is no one around you, but you are very much in the heart of Preston Hollow. Overdown is off Preston Road, in between Royal Lane and Walnut Hill, and there is a traffic light at the intersection to make left-hand turns less treacherous. The Dallas North Tollway entrance is about three minutes away around the corner.
Truly a lock and leave home for people who want to be close in, but still desire privacy. And that pool will be a cinch to keep clean — no leaves, no freeze.
The good folks at Inwood Mortgage will have no problem finding a mortgage to float you all you want for 15 years or 30. Asking $899,900. Go ahead. Take the plunge!
