When Heather McKinney, founding principal of the award-winning, Austin-based McKinney York Architects, was approached by her former clients, she had no way of knowing she was about to embark on a 35-year collaboration.
Her clients had just inherited the then-150-year old Fences Ranch, also known as the Wyatt-Boyd Ranch Complex, just outside Stephenville, and the challenge to both preserve and reimagine the historical site became a passion project many architects could only dream about.
True to their mission, McKinney York’s concept-driven design drew inspiration from the idyllic natural setting, which includes sprawling panoramic views, mighty oak trees, and the Bosque River bordering the property. Throughout each phase of the restoration and expansion, architectural elements honoring the site’s heritage were woven into the blueprints.
Officially declared a landmark by the Texas Historical Commission in 1987, it was imperative that the limestone Cumberland-style cabin be restored and incorporated into the overall design of this 271-acre ranch. Every detail was meticulously thought out, the porch ceiling is even painted a robin’s-egg blue, upholding a Southern tradition believed to discourage wasps from building nests there.
Next, the remnant stone walls of the burned-out, mid-20th-century ranch house form the backbone of the two-bedroom main house and the east courtyard.
Windows run the length of the hallway overlooking the courtyard, and on the opposite wall, a transom allows natural light to stream into the kitchen. Among the rustic elements from the historic cabin incorporated into the newer structure, is Texas limestone used in the hallway, the study and the kitchen. Hardwood floors are also featured throughout the home.
The open-concept kitchen and living room are bright, spacious and perfect for entertaining guests and hosting large gatherings. The kitchen includes two dining areas, a large island with butcher block countertop, floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, a built-in refrigerator, a commercial-grade gas range and dual sinks. The adjoining living room features built-in cabinetry and a wood-burning fireplace.
Just off the living room, the enclosed, two-story, west-facing sunroom, with pitched metal roof, overlooks the Bosque River – the ideal spot to bask in the golden-hour glow and take in a sunset.
The main level also includes two primary suites with plenty of natural light and prairie views. Upstairs, the loft provides a flex space that can be used as an office or craft room.
Accentuated by a steel-beam pergola, the lap pool modernizes the outdoor space and connects the main house to the surrounding outbuildings, while the native grass and wildflowers return the land to its natural prairie state.
Birdwatching is a must as the trees play host to an array of indigenous and migratory birds. And every day, the sun rises and falls unobstructed just beyond the horizon. There is always something spectacular to see.
If you would like to own an exceptional piece of Texas history, your Stephenville country retreat awaits.
Eric Hayden, of Ebby Halliday Realtors’ Stephenville office is offering Fences Ranch for $4 million.
To learn more and to schedule a private showing, visit fencesranch.ebby.com or contact Eric Hayden, Hayden Real Estate Group at 254.485.2615 or [email protected].
