Best of The Westside: A Near Perfectly Placed In-Town Palazzo

A perfectly placed palazzo would be on Lago di Como.

I confess to obsessing about Italy a lot these days. It’s only natural with the world on lockdown and another long, hot Texas summer before us, that the mind wanders even if we cannot. Tell me I can’t do something-like travel, and the prohibition becomes an idée fixe.

So, therapeutically, Fort Worth Friday takes an Italian ‘staycay’ this week with a smart townhouse at the nexus of the best Westside neighborhoods, the Cultural District and the West Seventh Street scene.

The façade of the duplex, or what the English call a semi-detached, is a successful, even playful, contemporary riff on the in-town palazzo archetype, with roots that reach back to the Renaissance. Notice the lanky modillions supporting the deep eaves of the tiled roof. There’s even a third-floor loggia.

Our unit is on the better side at right. Windows and doors are bracketed by attractive ornamental cast stone. A shallow arched vestibule leads to the front door.

The front hall previews the high-quality materials and level of finish out, with substantial living space of nearly 3,400 square feet spread over three floors.

Rich chestnut hardwood floors run throughout all three levels of the house. Doors and hardware are substantial.

The dining room to the right is rather idiosyncratically the key to the ground floor, with an enfilade of arches leading you through a long butler’s pantry to the kitchen and living area at back.

The dining room, with its leaded diamond stained-glass window is the last moment of old-world formality. After that, the emphasis in the three-bedroom, three-and-one-half bathroom house is all about modern comfort and livability.

At back, the plan is completely open concept with the extensively equipped kitchen overlooking the intimate living area. The kitchen includes all that one could hope for, including a restaurant-quality six-burner gas cooktop, built-in double ovens, fridge, and microwave.

The living area contains one of three fireplaces and, through French doors at back, enjoys views of a private walled garden.

I hate the phrase “wow factor,” but it is rather thrilling and impressive to take in the uninterrupted perspective of two flights of stairs. Too daunting? There is a shaft running from the bottom to top if you would like to install an elevator.

Located on the second floor, the spacious principal bedroom suite contains the second fireplace and a full ensuite bathroom with twin sinks, spa tub, and shower stall. Surfaces are mocha marble slab and variegated marble tile floors.

Also occupying the second floor is a handy alcove office and a second bedroom and bath. The third bedroom and bathroom are located on the third floor.

At back is a private enclosed garden with a masonry fireplace, which offers intimate outdoor entertaining space. There are two garage parking spaces.

This luxuriously appointed townhouse is priced at about 15 percent below the Monticello per square foot median of $211.

Carmon Gordon of Burt Ladner Real Estate is offering 3757 West 5th Street for $615,000.