This A. Hays Town-Inspired Estate Brings NOLA Style to Dallas

Cochran Chapel Road is a captivating, little-known jewel in Northwest Dallas. So it comes as no surprise that it’s home to one of the city’s most exemplary estates: a striking Louisiana-style French Colonial situated on a lush two-and-a-half acre lot.  

Custom built in 2006, the property was deeply influenced by A. Hays Town — widely regarded as the South’s most prestigious architect for his extraordinary influence on modern Southern architecture. The homeowner, a 10th generation Louisianan, is a huge fan. “He’s a legend. It’s a style of architecture I love that’s traditional to my heritage.”

Fellow Town aficionados are in luck. The thoughtfully designed, 5,875-square-foot home is on the market for $3.195 million. Attention was paid to every detail.

“It was a true labor of love,” says Compass co-listing agent Bonnie Bauer of the Mark Cain Properties Group. “The owner traveled all over the world to find just what she wanted to make it authentic.”

Case in point: Town’s signature use of beautiful reclaimed and recycled building materials. The home’s beams, flooring, and doors all come from architectural salvage stores.

“We actually built the house to accommodate the curved doorways in the dining room and main hallway,” says the owner. 

Other Louisiana-inspired features combine style and practicality. Gallery porches have deep overhangs, ideal for hot-weather climes. Long sight lines promote circulation. French doors open up to the outside.  And a limewashed brick exterior protects from the elements.

Inside the home, there’s something special at every turn. Color-themed rooms are done in NOLA-inspired jewel tones. A chandelier and marble mantel are from the Marché aux Puces in Paris. Antique stained glass sports an intricate diamond pattern. Even the guest bath is decked out in festive Mardi Gras fashion.

Capturing the essence of southern residential homes, the cook’s kitchen has arched entries, wood-beamed ceilings, brick floors, and a genuine cast iron AGA stove. Nearby, a light-filled screened porch provides a serene vista.

The home’s first level also houses a dedicated wine room, family area with brick wood-burning fireplace, and two-story library with winding staircase. Upstairs, there are four bedrooms, four bathrooms, study nook, den, and game/exercise area. Exterior stairs off the primary bath lead down to the home’s majestic backyard.

“The house is as beautiful from the back as it is from the front.”

“I love the rolling contours, the graceful shade trees, and the soft sound of creek water that runs the length of the property,” says Bauer.

A meandering creek, and fern-laden banks set the stage for a plethora of outdoor amenities. For the gardener, there’s a greenhouse and vegetable garden; for the equestrian, a horse barn and corral. The family-friendly property also features a sport court, a synthetic ice rink, bocce ball court, and a huge treehouse complete with zip line.  

Signature Town characteristics give the pool area a bona fide Louisiana feel — think antique brick decking, a fountain-like spa, and vintage sugar vat Koi pond.

The owner points out yet another signature A. Hays Town touch: a pigeonnier — French for dovecote. “Historically, in New Orleans, it’s where you’d keep your pigeons. We made it into an outdoor bath.”

The best compliment, she adds, is when people ask if the house is an original on the street. “It looks like it’s been there 100 years. That was the goal.”

“We decided we’d build a new old house—and that’s exactly what we did.”

See the video for 4110 Cochran Chapel Road, listed for $3.195 million by Realtors Mark Cain and Bonnie Bauer for the Mark Cain Properties Group.