You’ll Fall in Love With This French Eclectic Mansion in University Park

Texas and France have always had a love affair. The French may not embrace Americans much, but they love Texans. It’s like they view the state as a separate country. And, of course, we are just in awe of everything French, especially French Eclectic architecture.

The French influence on our architecture has gone on for decades. The Lewis-Aldredge House, designed by architect Henry B. Thomson and built in 1917, is perhaps the most recognizable French Eclectic mansion in Dallas. Although it has a great deal of Renaissance detailing borrowed from the Beaux Art period, you know it’s been the inspiration for many modern architects and builders.

This French Eclectic mansion, like most, was a custom home built in 2000 for an owner that stayed only a few years. It’s just been listed for the first time by the second owner. I’ve mentioned this before, but it’s worth repeating. Any home, especially in the Park Cities, that an owner has lived in and loved for almost 20 years, generally means it’s a gem. And boy is it.

The drive up is grand yet gracious, and when you enter the front door, the entry hall is highlighted with a groin-vaulted ceiling setting the stage for what you know will be an experience.

I love this French Eclectic because despite the grand appearance, it’s not fussy, and there is no over-the-top embellishing. It’s livable. You can see yourself here with kids and dogs clambering on the furniture and racing through the house.

With 7,103 square feet, five bedrooms, five bathrooms, two powder baths, a library, a media room, and a wine cellar, there is plenty of room for a large family to enjoy life and not get in each other’s way. If you want to escape the kids, the principal suite has a wet bar, which I believe should be in every architectural plan from here on out. You know it makes sense!

But wait, there is more.

About five years ago, the owner decided the outdoor hot tub looked a little lonely. So he called up noted architect Wade Weissman.

“Wade created a solarium addition with the hot tub as a focal point,” Reflect Real Estate listing agent David Sheehan said. “He did a great job of matching the architectural style of the house with the arched French doors. It’s completely climate and humidity-controlled, and the hot tub is bromide, not chlorine, so there’s no smell. It’s like a Parisian retreat.”

Indeed it is such a lovely surprise, and those French doors lead out to a backyard paradise created by our own Harold Leidner. I’d buy this house just to have that room!

I know you want to see the chef’s kitchen (where you can chop veggies under a crystal chandelier), the media room, and that principal suite, so I suggest calling Sheehan immediately. He has this French Eclectic mansion on 3917 Marquette Street in University Park listed for $4.4million.