We have not had an “O” Home in a very long time because, frankly, we’ve become a bit jaded.
Well, I’ve become jaded. That is until I saw this spectacular French chateau in Audubon Place.
Whenever George Bass, owner of George Bass Stage & Design, calls me and says, “You really need to see this one in person,” I pay attention. George knows luxury, and he knows me, so off I went a few weeks ago for a sneak peek at this incredible home he’d just staged.
The uber-talented floral designer Shane Burroughs with RS Burroughs DesignWorks was just walking out the door when I arrived. He, of course, created all of the astonishing floral displays for George’s stage. Shane kindly took me on a tour, or I’d have gotten lost and would most likely still be in the wine cellar!
(Not that I’d be complaining!)
Audubon Place is an unexpected neighborhood.
Yes, it’s filled with people who can afford to live anywhere in the world, but that is not why it’s special. Despite being the place everyone — from John Murchison to Hal Padgett and David Fair — have at one time called home, it’s basically a luxury Leave it to Beaver neighborhood.
“The neighbors are fabulous,” the seller told me. “It’s that all-American neighborhood where everyone knows everyone. I never knew how friendly people could be until I moved here.”
He let me borrow a booklet his neighbors Sidge and Bob Peacock created and give to each new resident. It lists every home, the owners who have lived in each house, and when they moved in and out.
It’s the neighborhood genealogy!
Audubon Place was created in the 1950s, and according to the Peacock’s booklet, almost all of the vegetation and trees were planted after 1950.
Audubon Place is on a quiet cul-de-sac in Preston Hollow, and if you don’t know where you are going, you will miss it — which was probably the intention. It’s no wonder entrepreneurs, CEOs, geophysicists, restaurateurs, and even a pro golfer have chosen this private spot to call home over the years.
Architect Robbie Fusch designed this French chateau in 2000, and it was an absolute jaw-dropper then. Who knew it could be even better?
Well, the present owner did. He had a vision, and that vision is what makes this one of our coveted and rare ”O” Homes.
The original 13,000 square feet had many goodies, but no downstairs principal suite, and the garage was not quite adequate for a car collector. So the present owner created a seamless addition that includes a principal suite with his-and-hers bathrooms and enormous closets.
What was originally going to be a reasonably straightforward remodel turned into another level of luxury with the addition of 5,000 square feet, bringing the total to 18,769. There are now seven bedroom suites (all are essentially principal suites), 10 full bathrooms, four powder baths, the most sophisticated theater room I’ve ever seen, and a billiards room.
If you think you have enough kitchens, you don’t.
This French chateau has four. Yes, four. In addition to the central kitchen, there is a state-of-the-art catering kitchen, a working kitchen off of the oenophile’s heaven of a wine room (with storage for 1,000 bottles), and an outdoor kitchen.
If that’s not enough, there is a spa complex with an exercise studio and a beauty salon.
The remodel took about two years and included a complete backyard renovation with a new infinity-edge pool and a sunken fire pit that rivals any five-star resort. The backyard overlooks a tributary of Bachman Creek, so not only are you on a private cul-de-sac, you have no one looming over your backyard paradise.
Of course, this über luxury French chateau is more than just a pretty face.
It has everything that makes a home run smoothly, including Lutron and Control4 Systems, a backup generator, an elevator to all four levels, and one of those marvelous central vacuum systems.
The square footage excludes the 2,026-square-foot, climate-controlled, six- to eight-car garage, which is really more of a showroom — or a disco, depending on your vibe. Seriously, move the cars out, pour the wine, and dance! LED lights that change color are embedded into the walnut walls and birch ceiling. It will take you right back to the days of Studio 54 and The Starck Club!
Now, if you need even more space, don’t despair. The 1.88 adjacent acres are also available for purchase. With estates becoming multi-generational properties that are handed down, it’s rare to find such an extraordinary opportunity.
Words and photos can only do so much justice to an “O” Home, so give Ebby Halliday’s Karen Keegan a call and see 9727 Audubon Place in person. She has it offered for 18.9 million.
