The Chestnut House: Historic Northside Address is as Cowtown as it Gets

The Fort Worth Northside has been on my mind of late, realizing that in my seven years writing Fort Worth Friday I’ve not written one post about this interesting and historically important sector of the city, which has also been a vital part of the city’s development and economy.

This week I lucked out big time with a 112-year-old Northside house with a Cowtown pedigree.

Just steps from the Fort Worth Stockyards is the historic Northside address of 1701 Lee Avenue. The distinctive 1910 vintage “Chestnut House” is a Victorian-era structure built in the “Queen Anne” style.

The Chestnut House

Located on a double corner lot, the wood frame house has a recessed, wrap-around porch with Tuscan columns. Dormer windows emerge from the hipped roof.

The entry of the 3,500-square-foot house is a rather grand vestibule with a cutout bay of windows terminating in a fireplace wall. Period details are still in place, including original distinctive millwork and paneling and original floors that have acquired a warm patina after over a century of use.

On the ground floor are a series of grand reception rooms with 13-foot ceilings. The four-bedroom, three-and-one-half-bath house has been restored in a faithful preservationist spirit while injecting modern comforts.

Modern comforts include a rather glam bath with twin vanities, travertine floors, and marble countertops. A vintage-look slipper tub tucks into a niche with a window.

The spacious kitchen features black granite countertops, an island with contrasting pink granite, and a freestanding gas range. There is an attached breakfast room beyond.

An imposing wooden staircase leads up to an even more imposing library landing with a wet bar. The landing is capped by a commanding coved ceiling with decorative stamped tin tiles.

Upstairs bedrooms have honey-colored hardwood floors and plenty of windows. Above, a tray ceiling steals extra height from the attic above.

Just like the downstairs bath, the upstairs bath has a vintage feel with a long, claw-footed slipper tub, pedestal sink, and redo look black-and-white floor tile and bright white subway tile.

The back garden is reached by a stained deck and steps. There is a circular paved patio in the corner. And who doesn’t love a kitschy fire hydrant water feature?

Only 12 years ago you could have bagged this beauty for a mere $129,000 though in what state, I can’t say. This is a listing meriting monitoring.

Rose Badillo of Keller Williams Fort Worth is offering 1701 Lee Avenue for $595,000.