The Zebra House Earned Its Stripes in Colleyville History

Once upon a time, there lived a zebra named Buddy.

Buddy roamed free on more than 10 acres in the magical land of Colleyville. The children living in the Colleyville bubble would beg their mothers who drove golden SUV chariots to drive by the hilltop land in hopes of catching a glimpse of Buddy the zebra. Their wishes often were granted

Sometimes Buddy was surrounded by donkeys or llamas, ducks, and geese. Life was good for Buddy and his friends for years and years.

And they all lived happily ever after. The end.

Buddy The Zebra Was a Colleyville Celebrity

“Yes! The ‘Zebra House’ is on the market,” Realtor Kimberly Bedwell said of the property she has listed at 4016 Jackson Road with Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty.

The Foreman family home and its surrounding acreage have been known for decades as “The Zebra House.” It’s where Buddy lived a long life with the family who owns Foreman’s, the general store, long a fixture in northeast Tarrant County. The family patriarch, Greg Foreman, died recently, and now the special property with room for rescue pets like Buddy is waiting for new owners.

Back story? Buddy was born in Fort Worth but was destined to live his life in a California zoo. When he arrived at the zoo “damaged,” he was deemed unworthy to show, breed, or sell. He was scheduled to be put down. The Foremans, along with friendly connections, saved Buddy from this fate. He arrived in Colleyville at six months old to live a long life with the Foreman family and to entertain Colleyville.

“He lived to be 27, which is better than being put down at the zoo,” said Scott Foreman, who grew up with Buddy as a pet. “He was a wild animal, so you couldn’t really get close to him, but he was happy as a clam.”

An Open Concept Home With 1968 Style

The Zebra House at 4016 Jackson Road, listed at $4.5 million, still has plenty of space for animals as well as four-wheelers and fishing poles. The almost 3,000-square-foot custom-built house includes four bedrooms, two baths, a half-bath, three living areas, and two dining areas all on one level.

“One of the things that is special about it is that it was built in 1968, but it has the open kitchen-living room concept, which would make it ideal for what’s popular today,” Bedwell said. “This home had the open concept back in 1968, and it’s conducive to family gatherings.”

The property also has plenty of space for a family to roam as free as Buddy. Sitting on 10.93 acres, the park-like setting features scattered oak and pecan trees, plus large pine trees the family planted along Jackson Road. The stocked pond offers lazy afternoons fishing right out the house’s back door, and a stable awaits any four-legged pets.

“It has really good bones for someone who would want to come in and keep the layout for the existing home,” said Bedwell. “The opportunities for this property are endless.”

A Large Tract in a Desireable Colleyville Location

Surrounded by other vast estates, the property feels private and offers pretty views, a rarity in Colleyville.

“In Colleyville right now, there’s a few large tracts of land left, but not many,” said Bedwell. “If you wanted the feel of living in the country, but the conveniences of the city, this is your property. It’s a really desirable combination of excellent schools, convenience to Dallas and Fort Worth and proximity to modern conveniences.”  

Plus, plenty of space for a zebra.