Dallas City Councilman Lee Kleinman’s Hillcrest Estates Spread Up for Auction

September 13, 2019 | Candy Evans | | Sponsored Content

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This 7,154-square-foot Hillcrest Estates home of Dallas City Councilman Lee Kleinman and his wife, Dr. Lisa Umholtz, is going to auction with no minimum bid on Sept. 28 with Elite Auctions, and CandysDirt.com is offering you a chance to preview it tomorrow.

Join Candy’sDirt for an exclusive Open House event from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14 at 11322 E. Ricks Circle, Dallas. Scroll down to RSVP to see one of the greenest homes in Dallas.

“Hopeful buyers now have the chance to name-their-own-price at our upcoming, no reserve, auction at 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 28,” says Elite Marketing Director Alicia Chmielewski.

This could very well be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own almost two acres of the most the most private, park-like setting in Dallas.

Elite Auctions is the luxury home auction company that successfully auctioned off the Vaquero properties of Vanessa Swarovski, then later Mark Texeira, the Highland Park home of Michael Young, among many others.

The Kleinman estate is on almost two acres and those who have seen it have called it “the most beautiful acreage in Dallas,” including former Dallas City Councilman Philip Kingston.

With tall ceilings, an open circular staircase, and vast open rooms with hardwood and tile floors, there are huge windows taking in the full vistas of the property. The chef’s gourmet kitchen has stainless steel appliances and island with both gas and electric stove and grill. Plus, there is a full backyard sheltered pavilion overlooking the pool, spa, and jacuzzi has a fireplace, outdoor kitchen, and a pizza oven. The master bedroom has an office and spa bath. The home is green in more ways than one: there are solar panels on the standing seam metal roof.

The Kleinman property crosses any and all political barriers. The land holds a gentle hill-like slope down to a babbling creek behind the property that draws the eye deep into the surrounding woods.

You could almost roll down the hill like a kid!

The beauty of the property is, of course, that it feels remote and is yet proximate to absolutely everything in Dallas. Located near the Preston Forest crossroads, the lushness of the land takes you away into a pastoral escape the minute you steer your car onto East Ricks Circle.

The contemporary structure was built in 1993, by AIA Fellow, Gregory Ibanez, who was a protogee of I.M Pei. Pei, of course, designed Dallas City Hall. Ibanez’s notable resume includes the design of the upper Greenhill School and the acclaimed remodel of Casa Mañana. The five-bedroom, six-full, two-half-bathroom home was also a fixture on the Raymond Nasher Tour of Homes back in 1996, as well as the Northaven Tour of Homes. The home was first listed with Kyle Rovinsky of Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate for $4,567,890, then lowered to $3.95 million. Ultimately the home’s price came down to $3.795, first with Rovinsky, then with Allie Beth Allman and Christine McKenny.

The home is now listed by Cliff Freeman of eXp Realty.

It is being sold without reserve, with an asking price of $3.5 million.

“The asking price is a good guide for what it would take to buy this house, prior to auction,” says Chmielewski.

“I absolutely adore the artistic design of this home, which really highlights the natural beauty of the property. The first time I toured, I remember standing amongst the fruit trees, Japanese Maples, and Azaleas as a magnificent owl flew overhead. I knew this place was special. It’s still hard to believe that such a peaceful setting exists in the heart of Dallas!” says Chmielewski.

It is not only the rare and coveted creek-side property location that makes the home so unique, the home design itself is classically modern.

“The house was designed to open up geometrically, as you approach it from the back,” said Rovinsky of the listing. “It’s a visual treat for the owners daily, and perfect for entertaining.”

This remarkable one-of-a-kind masterpiece is completed by a creek and rocky pond, nestled among lush trees and abundant wildlife in a prestigious Preston Hollow area. Nearby amenities include the newly expanded Northaven Trail, Preston Royal, Preston Forest, Northpark, Galleria, and Valley View soon to be Midtown. And don’t be surprised if you see a critter or two on the lawn, nibbling the branches, basking in the sunlight, or running elegantly down the creek.

11332 East Ricks Circle is ideal for a family with children who appreciate the North Dallas footprint, and will make use of the many nearby private and public schools, or the individual executive who wishes for peace and tranquility at home without a long commute.

“It’s a true estate property, great for indoor-outdoor entertaining,” Rovinsky adds. “A two-acre creek lot in Dallas is incredibly difficult, in fact almost impossible, to find.”

Almost as impossible as buying a $3.5 million home, once listed for way more, and getting it for a steal at auction.