This European Manor House caught my attention for several reasons. It’s stunning. It’s also on almost half an acre, and it’s in Highland Park. But of course, there’s more — like this red hot bar!
When you see a home of this size, almost 8,700 square feet and built in the late 1980s, you could be dismissive and make a lot of assumptions. They’d all be wrong.
Although it was originally designed in 1986 by Rawls-Welty architects and built by Dave Fox, an extensive update was finished in 2021 by Barringer Custom Homes. They took this French Manor House to another level.
I couldn’t figure out why it seemed familiar, and then it hit me. I wrote about it just after it was finished and was briefly floated onto the market. However, I didn’t fully recognize it until I got to the photo of the glamorous red bar. I don’t generally forget homes, so what changed?
Allie Beth Allman & Associates’ agent Kimberly Ashmore sprinkled her magic dust over the property along with the team at George Bass Stage & Design. They amped up the wow factor significantly, as befits a European Manor House. It’s a great lesson that even a beautifully furnished, occupied home needs the eyes and talents of those who specialize in marketing luxury real estate.
Eclectic French influences were at work here with some bold color choices like the dramatic deep blue butler’s pantry and that unforgettable fire engine red bar.
As glamorous as this French Manor House is, there is no mistaking it’s a very comfortable and livable family home. After all, this is Highland Park, and people move here for the terrific schools. Your kids can easily walk to Highland Park High School and Highland Park Middle School.
There are six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and a powder bath in the main house, with a game room and guest suite in the basement. The pool house also features full guest quarters. You can see there is plenty of room for multigenerational living, which has become so popular in the past few years.
The heart of the home is always the kitchen, and this one is spectacular with a Calcutta Caldia marble-topped island, countertops and backsplash, and top-of-the-line appliances. It flows seamlessly to the family room with magnificent views of the outdoor living areas.
The second floor features four ensuite bedrooms, a gym, and a media room with tiered seating. The pièce de résistance on this level is a beautiful study with a bookmatched Azul Do Mar marble fireplace with unobstructed views of the Dallas Country Club golf course and a private balcony. This brings a new sensibility to the work-from-home concept. The office may never see you again.
“It looks amazing,” Ashmore said. “It’s such a unique and special property. Who would not be passionate about it?”
Brokers and agents accompanying clients can see this European manor house in person from noon to 2 p.m. on February 8.
Ashmore has this French Manor House at 3914 Normandy Avenue listed for $11.995 million.
