A Classic French Traditional Estate in Preston Hollow

Oh, La Vache! If you are surprised to find a classic French traditional estate in Preston Hollow, you may not be a Texan. That’s OK because if you’ve been reading CandysDirt.com for any length of time, you know how much I love to offer up a history lesson (and a French lesson — that first phrase means “Holy Cow!”)

There has long been a bond between Texas and France. The French love Texas. When I lived there, everyone I met was fascinated with my home state. I was regularly asked if I rode my horse to school. Of course, I said, “Mais oui,” but I digress.

One of the six flags that flew over Texas was French.

The flag of Louix XIV flew from 1685 to 1690. According to the Texas State Historical Association, in 1990, there were over 571,175 people of French descent in Texas. I can only imagine how many there are now.

So, it’s not unusual that French architecture continues to have a significant influence in Texas. This classic French traditional estate is a perfect example. It has everything you need for a chic, comfortable, and very private lifestyle.

Let’s address the privacy factor first.

Old Preston Hollow is where Dirk Nowitzki, Kenny Troutt, and the Perots have chosen to live. Remember, they can live anywhere. Estates here are gated, over an acre, and set well back from the street. Simply put, no one is going to bother you.

As far as curb appeal, I don’t think anything prepares you when the gates open to this classic French traditional estate. Impressive seems an understatement. “The house has such a grand presentation,” Allie Beth Allman’s listing agent Karen Luter said.

Once inside, you’ll never want to leave. The immediate impression is one of gracious elegance. You might be tempted up the sweeping staircase immediately, but what seems like miles of white marble draws your eye to the formal living space. The entry blends seamlessly into this area, creating the perfect setting for entertaining a sizable crowd.

Despite that grand scale, a great deal of intimacy was designed into this classic French traditional estate. The 8,226-square-foot home unfolds into luxurious and private spaces. It’s what everyone is looking for today when multi-generational living is an important consideration.

The home has six bedrooms, six bathrooms, and three powder baths. Designing two principal suites and a guest room on the first floor gives you an idea of how much attention was paid to the reality of how families live. The office is tucked away from the main living spaces so you can get work done without the kids and dog barging into your Zoom meeting.

Let’s expand on the reality of how a family lives in a home.

There are always unexpected needs and transitions in life. To have a home that allows for that is unusual, and in my book, a deal sealer. An intriguing aspect of this classic French traditional is the thought put into the construction of a bonus space.

“There is almost 1,900 square feet of space over the garage,” Luter said. “It’s completely private with a separate hallway and door. It’s already wired and plumbed and ready to be a media room, more bedrooms, a studio or a large guest suite.”

I was pleased to see Luter brought the talents of George Bass Stage & Design to this beauty.

“Staging is essential,” Luter said. “It’s an industry standard. You can put your house on the market, but it’s not going to sell as quickly and for as much money if it’s not staged.”

She’s right, of course.

I can’t tell you how audible the collective sigh is at CandysDirt.com when we see a beautiful luxury home and it’s vacant. It’s challenging for buyers to visualize how and where their things will fit. So, congratulations to the sellers and Luter for doing this all-important and essential task.

“We took a minimal approach to this property to let the architecture be the star,” Bass said. “We just sprinkled our inventory around, blending it with some of the owners’ existing pieces to show how to live in the home. Despite the grand scale, once you are inside, it’s very inviting.”

All the bells and whistles you expect to see are here as well as some you’ve never considered. For instance, there is a rain harvesting system, whole-house surge protection, and outlets for electric cars in the five-car garage.

If all of that is not enough to have your banker on the phone, wait until you see the backyard. Let me preface this by saying if you want a pool, buy a house with one. The waitlist for next summer began in March.

Here, you have it all. The perfect classic French traditional estate with spacious outdoor living, and a pool you can use all year long.

When you purchase a luxury home like this, you’re buying not just a home, but a private, peaceful, lifestyle.

It that sounds appealing, and you know it does, give Luter or her co-listing agent Carson Bryant, a call and arrange for a showing of 10515 Lennox Lane. It’s listed for $4.75 million.