A Volk Estates Modern Mansion With Drama!

Why do we call these “O” properties? I’ll give you the family version. They simply make you stop and go, “OH,”  and this striking Volk Estates modern mansion does just that. 

While you may be familiar with the names Highland Park and University Park, many of our newcomers have not a clue about the name Volk Estates. In the 1920s, Leonard W. Volk was a respected retailer. If you’ve lived in Dallas for a pair of seconds, your grandmother would have swept you into Volk Brothers for your cotillion shoes. Leonard Volk branched out into real estate and purchased one of the most beautiful pieces of land in the city just north of Highland Park, with a specific idea in mind. He wanted to create an exclusive neighborhood for the affluent to build their homes on large, scenic lots. Because Turtle Creek forked here, the neighborhood was designed to create private creeks that ran through many of the owner’s backyards.

It is still one of the most prestigious and expensive neighborhoods in Dallas, and privacy is a given. It’s also about ten minutes from downtown Dallas and close to every amenity you could ever need.

For generations, architects have created masterpieces here, and the tradition continues with this Volk Estates modern mansion. It was designed by the visionary architect Mark Hoesterey, one of the talented principals at Stocker, Hoestery, Montenegro Architects (SHM), and constructed by the extraordinarily exciting team at Tatum Brown. I’m not sure it’s possible to have a better combination of talents when you decide to build a custom home.

And when you build, please create something dramatic that will make us say, “OH”! The scene-stealer here is the chic façade, of course. These vein-cut silver travertine slabs are rarely seen in exterior residential applications. That’s because so many people don’t think out of the box. However, it’s an excellent choice, not just for dramatic appeal but also because it endures harsh weather!    

But the doors! 

Can we just look at the front doors for a minute? These have to be among the all-time best doors ever designed. Solara Custom Doors and Lighting hand-crafted these magnificent steel doors based on a collaborative starburst design between Hoesterey and the owners. It’s even more stunning in the video of this home, so be sure to watch it! 

You may think the doors open into the house, but if you know anything about Mark Hoesterey, it’s that he’s going to surprise you whenever he can. The doors open to a completely unexpected inner courtyard. This just made me break out in a broad smile because knowing the architects at SHM as I do, I realize it’s an homage to classic Mediterranean architecture where courtyards are instrumental to the life of a home. If you’ve ever lived in a house with a courtyard or two, you’ll never again live without them.`

The clients had worked with Hoesterey before, so the collaboration was seamless. One of their requests was to have a dramatic room to serve as a cozy dark lounge just off the courtyard. It’s an immersive space where you can get away from it all and relax in quiet solitude or have a deep conversation with a few friends. I think I’d lock the door and hide in here for hours on end with a good book and a nice bottle of something amber. Hoesterey told me they wanted to create the feel of a speakeasy — that’s probably why I love it so much!

This Volk Estates modern mansion is 10,111-square-feet of gorgeous architecture and design. There are five bedrooms, five bathrooms, and two powder baths. It exceeds expectations around every corner. If you can tear yourself away from that lovely lounge space, you’ll be surprised again.

“The great room explodes into the light from the backyard and pool,” Hoesterey said. It’s magnificent with that two-story limestone fireplace and Skyframe custom lift and slide doors across the back of the house. This is the take on seamless integration into nature that we all want to see.

Brant McFarlain was instrumental in creating an interior design plan that continued that drama and kept up the unexpected. You have to have a designer who understands the client’s needs and what enhances the architecture. This house is a complete success on every level.

I could go on forever about this home, but to truly appreciate it on the right level, you must see it. So, give Compass Real Estate listing agent Amy Detwiler a call and put in an offer on this $9.5 million Volk Estates mansion at 4020 Glenwick Lane before some celebrity from California buys it!