I hadn’t expected to be back on Samuels Avenue after only one week. After researching and briefly documenting its former glory as Fort Worth’s first premier neighborhood, I took a drive down the avenue to get the lay of the land.
Needless to say, there have been a few changes in the past 120 years.
At the north, off Northside Drive the avenue is a mixed bag with a rough industrial ambiance consisting of warehouses and commercial buildings. Closer to the city center, the area has become the locus for high-density residential development, evolving the neighborhood into an urban village on the Trinity River.
One of the earliest participants in the rejuvenation of the area is the Villa De Leon, a condo building constructed in 2008 on the 500 block of Samuels Avenue. Make what you will of the extravagant architectural fabric. Michelangelo’s Capitoline “giant order” is stretched to new heights with pilasters resting on a podium-like ground floor and extending five floors to support a broken pediment, forming a Palladian motif.
The six-story Villa de Leon has only 23 apartments and many are quite sizable. One example is No. 410, which boasts nearly 3,000 square feet of living space, three bedrooms, three full baths, and one powder room.
The scale of the spaces is also open and generous, and unlike several upscale high-rises I could name, the rooms are functional and easy to furnish with no awkward mid-room piers to work around.
The vibe is more that of a luxury single-family house than a mid-rise condominium. There is even a homey gas-burning fireplace at the center of a symmetrical end wall with a pair of windows with views of downtown.
Views are the trump card of this property.
Every window offers a breathtaking prospect. A balcony offers stunning vistas of Fort Worth and the Trinity River.
The kitchen offers Sub-Zero stainless steel appliances, including a six-burner, chef-quality cooktop and an island/eat-in bar. The space is sizable, too, clocking in at 220 square feet. Wood floors that run throughout the public areas and traditional crown moldings contribute to the home-like atmosphere.
The 300-square-foot bedroom enjoys cheerful treetop views on the wall opposite the bed. The adjoining bath has a hotel spa atmosphere with a marble vanity with twin sinks. There is also a luxurious, long soaker tub and separate shower stalls.
Amenities at Villa de Leon include a swimming pool, fitness center, and extensive landscaped grounds. There is also an event room at residents’ disposal. Unit 410 has two assigned, covered spaces. HOA fees are $1,330 per month. You have the chance to take it all in yourself during the Open House from 2 to 4 p.m. this Sunday, September 19.
Karen Hunn of Williams Trew Real Estate is offering 501 Samuels Avenue, No. 410 for $949,900.
