Manorial Montserrat Manse on Santa Cova Court

We haven’t gone big at Fort Worth Friday for awhile and if you’re thinking of going big, Montserrat may be your ideal with lots as large as five acres and square footages that can top 20,000. It’s difficult to believe that the high-profile, gated community of Montserrat is 15 years old. Carved out of 143 acres of — you guessed it — ranch land owned by the Sirrat family, it still has the look of a newly minted luxury enclave. More time and mature trees will give it context. Though minutes from town, it can, still, at times, appear a bit lonely. However, there are many things to recommend Montserrat. In addition to the 24-hour security, there are 30 acres that have been set aside for park land and green space.

A 9,100-square-foot baronial, 2008 build at 4708 Santa Cova Court gives a representative vocabulary of luxuries that in many cases are neighborhood standards. Fireplaces? There are six. Baths? Six again with three half baths. Living areas? Three. I could go on, but, by now you get the point.

Entering through a massive iron door, whose glass illuminates the entrance, one has a sight line from front to back down a lively, rhythmic groin-vaulted corridor. Oh, and vaulted ceilings? I lost count. A house of this scale and sophistication of floor plan really has to be seen to be comprehended, so I was lucky to be shown the property by Briggs Freeman intern Ross Moncrief, clearly an up-and-comer and a potential real estate power player to keep an eye on.

The living area is surrounded on two sides by cloister columns and soars to over 20 feet. Semicircular balconies overlook the space from the second floor hallway.

The dining room is at the front of the residence off the entry vestibule and overlooks a walled court. Yes, that is a temperature controlled wine room to the right, with another custom iron door.

One of the more unique rooms, is a two-story study, also at the front, which contains one of the six fireplaces. A winding staircase leads to additional book cases, which I am assured, were filled by the previous owner.

It is  difficult to comprehend the size of the large kitchen, because the massive center island makes it difficult to gauge scale. Commercial-grade appliances with familiar names like Wolf and SubZero stock the gourmet kitchen.

The kitchen overlooks an informal dining area and living are at the back of the house. An arch leads to a guest bedroom with en-suite bath, which could function as a totally private guest bedroom, mother-in-law suite or housing for live-in staff.

A massive vault crowns the downstairs master bedroom suite. An intimate sitting area with lower ceilings centers around one of the fire places.

A rich melange of marbles, spacious double shower stall and columned bath contribute to the luxury of the master bath. And, naturally, there are large separate closets.

Three of the five bedrooms are upstairs. Also on the second floor is a home theater (the projector is staying) and a cavernous, 20-foot long-, barrel vaulted game room with a bar (the unique iron-and-hide upholstered bar stools are staying also).

Outdoor space features a full, second kitchen with a pool with separate spa and hot tub. Garages house four cars, and additional under port parking shelters two additional vehicles. The lot is a manageable one acre — think lower property taxes. And pricing? Well, not so bad at about $280 per square foot. That compares to about $220 for Berkley Place. Then again, 4708 Santa Cova Court is a lot of house — about three times the size of the average Berkley Place home. However, in spite of its size, the abode lacks the cavernous, sometimes chilly, inhuman ambiance of many large new builds. The floor plan is rational and workable with an inventory of inviting purposed spaces.

John Zimmerman of Briggs Freeman Sothebys is offering 4708 Santa Cova Court for $2.55 million.

Eric Prokesh is an interior designer whose work has appeared on HGTV, and 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.