Fort Worth Friday: New Orleans-Style Estate Offers Discreet Charm in Rivercrest

Defying its high profile location in prime Rivercrest, directly across from the country club golf course, 4604 Alta Drive jealously asserts and preserves her privacy by subtle screening landscape and clever inward-looking orientation on a nearly half-acre lot. In effect, the house is only glimpsed from the street — side view — the main facade concealed coquettishly confronting a private courtyard with attractive hardscape of stone paving and fountain.

At 5,765 square feet, the four bedroom four full and two half bath is bigger than it appears. Conditioned as we have become to McMansions — often of insensitively bombastic proportions — that is, in fact a compliment. And one of the major appeals of 4604 Alta Drive is its very civilized and livable floor plan which tempts one to use the hated cliché word “flow.”

 

The double height vestibule, behind handsome double doors, reveals the graceful main staircase. Rich dark oak parquet floors maintain the New Orleans inspired vibe of the exterior of whitewashed red brick and black iron columned balconies. To the right, lies one of four living areas leading into a smaller sitting room with cabinets wired to hide the vid, adjoining a small hall/bar connecting to the formal dining room.

 

The adjacent kitchen with large island connects to an informal eating area open to the family room, perhaps one of the loveliest rooms in the house. Benefitting from the its clever positioning the family room captures views on one side of the front courtyard and the pool at the back.

 

\

Kitchen back stairs serve as a private lead into the Master Bedroom with a sitting area and large bath with separate sinks and dressing areas. An assigned balcony overlooks the back pool area. Two additional bedrooms share a bath and their own balcony overlooking the front court. Completing the complex is a large pool/party house with high ceilings and bar perfect for entertaining.

Listing agent is Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s John Zimmerman.

Eric Prokesh is an interior designer whose work has appeared on HGTV, in books and publications including D Home, Southern Accents, House Beautiful, and House and Garden. In January 2005, HG named Eric one of the 50 tastemakers in America and D Home has included him as one of Dallas’ Best Designers for 10 years. Having lived most of his life in Dallas, he now calls Fort Worth home and is one of our experts on beautiful Fort Worth Dirt.