This Tudor Revival Manor in River Hills is Grand Enough For Fanny Brice

If this grand 7,800-square-foot English manor in River Hills looks familiar, it’s because this lovely four-bedroom, six-bath spread has been singled out for special attention before. It enjoyed a high-profile christening in 2009 as the Southern Accents Show House in the year it was built.

It shares with many of the better River Hills constructions a nearly impeccable attention to detail and quality materials echoing the high standard of the past. The house was the result of a collaboration of architect Larry Boerder as well as Trey Laird and Kevin McGinnis of Period Homes — both firms in possession of impressive portfolios.

A River Hills Home With Star Quality

The residence sits in a quiet cul-de-sac on a lot with surprisingly mature landscaping for a relatively new build. When poring through the photography, I was reminded of the house now known as Thornton Gardens — the San Marino, California, estate built in 1920 which stood in for the Long Island home of Fanny Brice in the 1967 production of Funny Girl, which used both interiors and exteriors for location.

Inside, we encounter a masterful melange of old and new executed with bold confidence. The gallery foyer features mocha-colored stone floors and cool blue grasscloth. An artichoke pendant — a modern classic — hangs in the center. The obsessive attention to detail can be observed in the coffered arched openings.

More boldness and bravura are to be found in the large living room featuring a true cathedral ceiling with clerestory windows set high in recesses, providing a nearly hidden additional light source.

An On-Trend Tudor Revival

This is the year of big floral prints in fabric and wallpaper, so the wallpaper choice in the dining room seems especially prescient. Wide-plank oak floors underscore the baronial feel of some of the interiors.

The kitchen is just what one would expect in a house of this caliber — top-of-the-line, commercial-grade appliances, a large island with a sink providing extra prep space, a bar, and a rather tranquil breakfast area with loads of windows and a fireplace.

By the way, if you haven’t been keeping track, there are four fireplaces in this house.

I had to include this butler’s pantry. Again, old and new. This space with ravishing indigo lacquer cabinets and bespoke Ann Sacks tile looks onto the oaky Tudor staircase.

Funny Girl wasn’t the only movie filmed at Thornton Gardens. The splashy 1950 MGM spectacle, The Big Hangover used the location, which is on the same par with the updated library interior above.

The primary suite comes as something of a surprise after the bolder palettes of the public rooms. A medley of whites and off-whites combine to produce a calm retreat.

This River Hills home definitely qualifies as an estate. The lot is nearly three-quarters of an acre and the back garden is completely screened and private. There is a three-car garage. The annual $2,700 HOA fee covers ground maintenance.

Margaret Coulborn of Williams Trew Real Estate has priced 3640 Middlewood Drive at $4.5 million.