Swan Song For Lakewood Storybook Cottage as Estate Sale Exposes Home’s Hidden Treasures

The “Swan House” been a fixture in Lakewood for years, located just off Bob-O-Link on a large, private lot complete with a pond. That’s where the late Alma and Neal Stanley kept the big, beautiful birds they loved so much. Styled like a gingerbread house straight out of an eastern European fairytale, the 1959 brick rambler features oodles of cool details, hundreds of pieces of custom-carved woodwork, and accessory structures that add so much personality to the home.

Much to the chagrin of some nearby residents, the home at 3503 Hillbrook is on the market as a teardown. Listed by Realtor David Ross, the huge lot (DCAD says it’s almost 2.3 acres, though it’s unclear if the pond takes up a significant portion of that assessment) is marketed at $975,000, which is a significant decrease from the original listing price of $1.5 million. It’s on the tax rolls for $1,039,470, with 86 percent of the value in the land. A buyer has already put a contract on the parcel, according to some residents, though the property is still on MLS as “active.”

We reached out to Ross regarding this listing and he has declined to comment. Neighbors, however, are being anything but silent about the prospect of another teardown in Lakewood.

“I am European and people always say how amazing it is that everything in Europe is so old,” said Lakewood, Dallas,  Facebook group member Martina Fundaro. “It’s because we don’t tear things down, we keep them for next generations. I was shocked when I first moved here and saw how easily and quickly buildings get tear (sic) down.”

While some neighbors are loathe to see another home meet the bulldozer, others say that the home has sat vacant for years and hasn’t been maintained. Other rumors say that the late owners of the property had no children, though they were such big animal lovers that proceeds from the sale will go to the SPCA.

The owners were a colorful pair, as you could tell from the collections that were displayed throughout the four-bedroom, two-bath home. From evening gowns to jewelry and accessories to art and beautiful organs, the home attracted people from all over North Texas to peruse its treasures last weekend. Rumor has it that a Rembrandt was among some of the paintings the couple had amassed.

Here’s what JLA Treasures had to say about the estate sale it held over the weekend:

“This estate sale is one of a kind! You will enter the property across a Swan Lake setting and enter a storybook cottage. The furnishings/décor are an incredible step back in time to this woman’s fantasy world of gingerbread trim, painted wood animals, shaker style primitive furniture, tree trunk chairs/table. You will love the Quimper Faience kitchen, Spode and Baccarat dining room items, Shaker dining table that folds to a bench. You must see this home before it is gone – yes, most fixtures will be sold as well. Property is a hidden gem with a private lake and almost 5 acres right in the middle of Lakewood!”

Neighbors who ran into the new owner of the property say she plans to keep the pond and will not sub-divide the land, which has to be a relief for those who live nearby. What do you think?