Ritz Townhouse Four: The Last Of The Last Of The Last
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Rooftop terrace at Ritz-Carlton Residences Townhouse 4
Minutes before I left town for a spell, I was able to squeeze in a viewing of the final Ritz-Carlton Residences shell townhouse all duded-up and immaculately finished by CandysDirt.com Approved Builder Mark Molthan of Platinum Series Homes. Since I’d rather hobnob than shutterbug at these events (I happened meet someone with more shirts than me), I returned to the MLS to grab some pictures to show – and I learned something.
I typed in “pearl” figuring if I started with the most expensive, I had to catch 2555 Pearl Street, right? I mean it’s a 6,079-square-foot Ritz Residence comprising three bedrooms with four full and one-half bathroom listed with Kyle Crews from Allie Beth Allman for $6.7 million. How could there be a pricier pearl?
There was.
That $7.98 million pearly-est listing is in Maypearl, Texas, roughly 45 minutes south of Dallas. At 6,300 square feet, t’s a pinch larger with an additional bedroom and bathroom. Oh, did I mention it’s the Bee Creek Ranch, and that house is surrounded by 912 acres? In fact, of the top dozen pearls, three were ranches of varying sizes in Maypearl (the rest were Ritz Residences). Who knew?
It was an interesting “ah ha!” moment. Separated by 45 minutes and 221 square feet, the choice isn’t likely to be pocketbook-dependent even though there’s a $1.28 million difference in their respective prices. This is about how you want to live. While I’d happily visit the ranch’s next owner for a weekend or a week, I’d want to live in an urban setting.
The four townhouses sit peacefully and privately beyond the pool
The townhouse is part of the Ritz-Carlton complex built in 2009 by Crescent (they’re next door) and designed by Robert A. M. Stern, who also designed the Bush Center at SMU. Architecture buffs will know the Ritz is sandwiched between the Crescent’s Philip Johnson-designed building (a Stern mentor) and the recently built Mckinney and Olive tower designed by Cesar Pelli (front and center in the lead picture).
If it was built in 2009, how come the next owner will also be its first? Well, they had to wait for Oncor’s lease to expire and the sub-station to be relocated (just kidding – or am I?) In truth, Crescent had other things to do and simply left the four unfinished. One was purchased and finished a couple of years ago and the other three remained shells. Recently Molthan was brought on board to finish them with the opulence they deserve. Now just one remains. In the picture above, it’s the left end.
Entering on the ground floor (there are five residential floors plus three-car garage) there is a family room and glass-cube office space. The windows are a little higher than normal to provide privacy without sacrificing light. During the visit, Candy, Crews, and I sat in the office and it was interesting. It’s quiet, and while large in its own right, feels enormous because of the glass. Out of sight on the left is a serving kitchen where caterers can serve groups of guests on game day.
But the main action is upstairs.
To orient you, there are windows in back of the photographer that flood the elegant second-floor living room highlighted by a marble accent wall. You can just see the staircase to the right with the dining room and kitchen beyond. This is a corner unit, so there are windows on the left wall as well as facing out of the front of the home – three sides in all.
As you can tell by the size of the furniture, the living room offers plenty of space for any furniture layout. The recessed-and-lit ceilings add drama and subtle lighting options – the fireplace a bit of romance.
Seen from the opposite side, the large windows with French doors lead out to one of the unit’s terraces. You can also get a feel for the drama of the marble wall with a luxurious thickness that anchors the room. You’ll also notice the cleanliness of the crown-less ceiling.
Opposite the staircase is the dining room. Being a fan of wine refrigerators, I was stunned to learn that the glass wall next to the dining table is a refrigerated wine cabinet – the whole wall. For those seeking the ultimate in privacy and a pinkish glow should fill it with red wine. Me? I’d fill it with Veuve Clicquot and be bathed in its golden-labeled glow.
Beyond the dining room is a breakfast room that’s attached to this “wow” kitchen. More of that wonderful marble frosts a walnut and white lacquered kitchen. I’d been toying with using wood cabinetry in my own Penthouse Plunge, and seeing this gives me courage. More large windows bring in treetop-filtered light from two exposures.
See what I mean? Is wood about to come back in fashion for normal people? While you’re pondering, that’s a jumbo dual-fuel Wolf range ready for the largest party. Just visible is the butler’s pantry.
Moving upstairs (did I mention the high-speed elevator that whisks you to any floor?) there’s the master suite. Located above the living room, it has the same bank of windows and peaceful views (right of the picture). This is the room Candy and I spent the most time in during the soiree, and while gracious and super comfortable, I have to be at least slightly curious about seating for five at the foot of my bed?
One thing that needs no answer is the master bathroom — storage galore. Marble galore. Natural light galore. And clearly, space galore. The marble arch opens to a giant shower. There are his-and-hers vanities with Kallista fixtures.
As expected (demanded?) the master closet is enormous – a veritable boutique waiting to be filled. Smart cabinetry is purpose-built for shoes, purses and other display pieces while stuffed with a mile of hanging space. There’s even a vanity should the man have steamed up all the mirrors in the bathroom.
Let’s finish our tour where it began – on the roof. From this end, you have an almost personal view of Crescent Court. The luxest of entertaining spaces. You can see the wall of glass slides away to create the best indoor-outdoor roof terrace in the city. There’s a third kitchen area to keep drinks stocked while friends enjoy a truly golden hour in Dallas.
Remember: High-rises, HOAs and renovation are my beat. But I also appreciate modern and historical architecture balanced against the YIMBY movement. In 2016, 2017 and 2018, the National Association of Real Estate Editors recognized my writing with three Bronze (2016, 2017, 2018) and two Silver (2016, 2017) awards. Have a story to tell or a marriage proposal to make? Shoot me an email [email protected]. Be sure to look for me on Facebook and Twitter. You won’t find me, but you’re welcome to look.
