This Highland Park Contemporary is The Architectural Gift That Will Keep on Giving

Some gifts come in gorgeous textured wrapping paper with enormous bows and embellishments.

You open them and are often disappointed by something underwhelming inside. Then there are those that come in sleek white classic packages with a simple ribbon. You may not expect much, but don’t be deceived by a subtle exterior. Those are the gifts that keep on giving, just like this architect-designed Highland Park contemporary.

We see a lot of boxy white homes these days, and we tend to be dismissive of them. That’s a mistake. Not all sleek, clean-lined homes are the same, and this Highland Park contemporary proves the point.

What makes the difference is always the architect.

When you are smart enough to tap an architect like David Stocker, founding design principal of SHM Architects, you get more than you could have ever imagined. Stocker is a master of many things, but subtlety, erasing the lines between interior and exterior living, and never losing sight of comfort are hallmarks of his talent.

Good architecture leads you on an unexpected journey with stops at surprise, adventure, delight, and inspiration to a destination you’re reluctant to leave. Of course, having the right client is essential to the success of any home, and the best results come from intelligent collaboration. This Highland Park contemporary was built for an engineer, a perfect collaborator for any architect.

Site selection is always integral to a home’s success.

This one is 247 feet deep, backing up to the Katy Trail. It’s one of the few areas in Highland Park where you can have a substantial yard with a pool, a sports court, plenty of green space, and a treehouse and still be within walking distance of Knox Street’s restaurants and shops.

That subtle exterior is the perfect foil for what you find inside this 6,108-square-foot splendid Highland Park contemporary.

“When you walk inside, you turn left, and the whole expanse of the house and yard open up,” Compass Real Estate’s listing agent Gianna Cerullo said.

Catching the first look at the two-story outdoor living area provides the proverbial jaw-drop moment. When the La Cantina accordion doors are open from the great room, the transition is so smooth I doubt you’ll notice.

While the first floor is designed for maximum flexibility, family living, and easy entertaining, the second floor offers a secondary living area and private living space, a gym, and three of the five bedrooms. The third floor houses one of the most stunning home theaters I’ve ever seen.

However vital those private escapes are, this Highland Park contemporary was designed for gatherings that flow to the enormous backyard. Although the kids do get to use the treehouse, it’s become a home office for the owner. Imagine heading to work in a treehouse every day. I don’t think a working environment gets much better than this. An added feature is what I’m calling the coffee break hammock.

The resort-style pool and firepit anchor the back of the yard, but there’s one more surprise.

“There is a huge sports court you could easily convert to a pickle-ball court,” Cerullo said. “Where can you get a private pickle-ball court in Highland Park in a house under $12 million?

Exactly!

Gianna Cerullo has this HIghland Park modern at 5010 Abbott Ave. listed for $7.395 million. To see how it really lives, check out the video here.