Marriage of Modern and Traditional: Old Highland Park on the Outside, a Beverly Hills Surprise on the Inside

It’s no secret our market has simmered down from the overheated, boiling point frenzy of a year or so ago. And it’s not that the market isn’t healthy — according to multiple sources, the North Texas real estate market is among the healthiest in the nation.

But to be honest, as we always are, the homes going quickest are the sleek, modern new construction showpieces. This mod craze is something I hope buyers don’t regret in ten years, though the warm transitional moderns of 2018 are a huge improvement over the stucco mesas of yesteryear. My concerns are centered on some of the wilder variations on a theme to be found across our landscape: you know who what the stuff I mean. Will those corrugated metal parts rust out? Will the stucco stain? Will the owners be screaming for brick or Texas limestone sheathing come 2028?

So when a traditional-appearing home at 3608 Lexington, on a street as coveted as Lexington Drive in the primo high price dirt vicinity of Highland Park, hits the market, I pay attention. I toured this home this summer, just before a smattering of travel, and decided to show it off when I was assured everyone was back in town. Because this is one you want to pay attention to.

I know what you are saying: it’s a Georgian, meh, give me a break. I will, until you turn the knob on that beautiful double front door, walk in and meet me in the bathtub…

The home was built in 2002 by home builder extraordinaire Nicky Oates, but then completely remodelled in 2016 to 2017. Some of the interiors reflect the Georgian-plus accoutrements of this era, when you could not live without a grand circular staircase, custom iron work balustrades, marble flooring in the foyer and up the stairs — extremely expensive, the best of the best. You wanted those perfect rich hardwoods laid at distinctive angles, and a beautiful shot from the third floor down. Columns? Of course, this is the south, after all. 

But what Allie Beth’s Kevin Tally and Allie Beth herself, ever the genius, have done with this home is completely neutralize the formal decor to a streamlined sensibility, even with the oriental carpets. The home is listed at $8,499,000, almost a full million off where it began in April, at $9,295,000.

I guarantee you it can not be replicated at that price.

First of all, the home is one of the largest on the block at 10,939 square feet sited on .52 of an acre. The lot is absolutely delicious: there are pines, Bradford Pear trees, bamboo and a side yard grotto surrounded by grapevines — your own little vineyard! Unlike most Highland Park homes, the site is large enough to hold the pool, patio, back and side gardens, grotto and a terrific guest house over the three car garage, which is like a spa for your autos: it’s even air conditioned. The home is spotless: it seems as if it has never been lived in because current owners are OCD property fanatics who take more than good care of this home. It has been loved, nurtured, coddled, cleaned and tended as sweetly as a newborn.

And there is so much more than what you see in the photos: 

Walk in to a huge, grand foyer with a sweeping circular staircase clear up to the third floor. Straight ahead is the elevator, which resembles a wine cellar, to the right a huge dining room, to the left the large formal living room with a massive cut marble fireplace of custom metamorphic stone. There are real bookshelves in every room, because the owner thinks a room without books is, well, not worth being in. 

Walk back to the richly panelled and trimmed family room, and then the breakfast room and kitchen, completely redone with clean white counters, a blue and white theme, and high end appliances. There is a formal breakfast room and a cozy morning room with table in front of the fireplace. The kitchen is quite large, boasts a silver closet as well as a pantry, copper hammered sinks with custom copper faucets (and light plate switches) to match. The faucets were hand cast to be little pine trees, since the property holds some of Highland Park’s few and oldest pines. Do you not love the Dutch door to the side yard, designed to let fresh air in without opening the whole door? There is an exterior serving window to the pool and patio area, which is knocked out with an outdoor pizza and/or bread oven, a sink and barbecue grill, and plenty of shaded space in front of the large pool. The pool is adjacent to the three car garage: I know I told you it was air conditioned, but did I tell you there is custom aggregate flooring, storage on every wall, work counters and a sink for car washes?

Dream Garage, eat your heart out.

Attached to the rear-entry garage (the gate is electric) is a large exercise/massage room with a sauna bath. Upstairs is a very pleasant guest cottage with living, dining, kitchen, and two bedrooms/baths, 1118 square feet total. Treetop views from the guest house veranda are amazing.

The main house is 9821 square feet and basically three stories. All major bedrooms are upstairs, including the master which is a story in itself: walk in and it’s like the gift that keeps on giving. The room primarily views the oasis backyard with those pine trees. There is even an exterior porch above the downstairs patio that is one of the most relaxing areas of the home.

Then there is the master bath, oh la la.

The master bath is the size of most apartments. The freestanding vessel tub commands center stage attention, with good reason: you could stay in it all day. The light blue quartzite counters which took my breath away is definitely a runner up for house showpiece.. Actually, no need to ever venture out with the mini kitchen consisting of a built-in Jura Expresso coffee maker, two refrigerator drawers, a sink and a microwave: cappuccino or prosecco, your choice. And lest I forget with all these added features — you realize you basically have a kitchen in the master bath — there is an oversize steam shower, dual vanities and, of course, a commode.

The home has seven bedrooms, including the two in the guest house. That leaves four regular bedrooms on this floor, after the master suite, all with newly remodelled and quite roomy en suite baths. 

And just when you think this house cannot get any larger, surprise! Venture up the the third floor for 2536 additional finished square feet that can be used for storage, closets, a ballroom, home office, or anything, anything at all.

So there you have it. Did you ever think you would find a Beverly Hills style master bathroom behind those oh-so-proper southern belle columns? Southern homes, like its women, love the element of wait and see. Surprise, surprise. If you are in the market for a terrific large family house, desire Highland Park living and schools, I’d give 3608 Lexington a serious look. This house is nothing but perfection!