Concierge Auctions Is Taking Bids on the Lacertes’ $29.9M Highland Park Tudor
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Bidding is underway on Lary and Joyce Lacerte’s Highland Park Tudor, and the estate’s path to the auction block raises a larger question: Why would the owners of an extraordinary luxury property choose an auction over a traditional sale?
I spoke Monday with Hannah Serwatka, Vice President of Business Development at Concierge Auctions, to find out why and it was an eye-opener.
The philanthropists have chosen this route for their beautiful Tudor home at 3711 Lexington Ave., previously listed for $29.9 million by Ralph Randall of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty.
Lacerte, for our newcomers, is a well-known tech entrepreneur who sold his software company to Intuit in 1998, then founded ExponentHR, retiring in 2023. They built the home in 2012 with an amazing team that included architect Cole Smith, Crowbar Constructors, and Sherry Hayslip Interiors. The idea was to have it blend in seamlessly, as if it were one of Highland Park’s original homes, while still including modern luxury features like an elevator and indoor swimming pool.
Set on a little over an acre at the corner of St. Johns Drive and Hackberry Creek, the 20,485 square foot home is perfectly positioned for those requiring a great deal of privacy.
The Lacertes first floated their property on the market in the more traditional way in 2025. But when you have an important luxury property like this, you have a lot of considerations. Waiting for a buyer to come along can be tiresome.
“With an auction you have a sense of urgency,” Serwatka said. “You also have global exposure. This home is part of our America 250 sale and will be auctioned live at Sotheby’s New York at the Breuer Building on July 29.”
Because it is part of a portfolio collection featuring multiple properties, there is also potential for crossover interest. So you might be coming to the table because a property in Pennsylvania caught your eye. Then you spot this Highland Park Tudor and think, ‘Hmmm… wait a darned second, this is what I’d really like!’
So how does an auction for a home work? Prospective bidders register in advance, submit proof of funds, and provide a bidder deposit. In general, you might find there are 40-50 bidders for multiple properties online or in person. Auctions are open for bidding for two weeks. A market reserve is placed before the auction opens.
“The auction lasts an hour to an hour and a half,” Serwatka said. “We generally begin around 4 or 5 pm Eastern time. Most of the activity happens in the last ten to fifteen minutes, and it can get crazy. It’s always exciting!”
Serwatka said the Highland Park Tudor had already drawn significant interest by Monday, nine days before the event. Eight bidders had fully registered, and all had toured the house.
“We always have good interest in Texas properties,” she said. “Our high bid is $17 million right now, so you have a rare opportunity to know where to start.”
Bidding on 3711 Lexington Ave. closes live July 29 at Sotheby’s New York.
