Ellen Ruby Blog's: $39M ‘Iconic Property’ Near Dallas Is Texas’ Most Expensive Home

Thursday 24 June 2021

$39M ‘Iconic Property’ Near Dallas Is Texas’ Most Expensive Home

An enormous estate in an exclusive Dallas-area neighborhood is currently the most expensive home for sale in Texas.

Listed for $39 million and located behind the gates in the Volk Estates enclave in University Park, TX, the 12,664-square-foot home is stately, to say the least. In the listing provided by the agent, Alex Perry, the home is described as an “iconic property” in one of Dallas’ most exclusive neighborhoods.

Originally built in 1946, the six-bedroom house has been updated over the decades. And although its style is classic, it’s wired with smart home technology in a nod to 21st-century luxury.

To ensure warmth during a frigid Dallas winter, the residence has eight fireplaces. Car lovers will swoon over the five-car garage.

Inside, the mansion’s main living spaces feature high ceilings, with plenty of windows that coax in an abundance of natural light.

Exterior of estate in University Park, TX
Realtor.com

The legendary Dallas architect and designer Cole Smith renovated this mansion before he passed away in 2019 at the age of 92. Described as his “opus,” the home features 16,748 square feet of living space filled with custom-designed and hand-forged metal throughout.

Smith was known as a history buff who wove classical and historical styles into his architecture. All the windows and some of the French doors open by turning custom “lobster-claw” bronze handles that Smith made himself.

All the air vents are custom-designed to complement the rooms they are in, and the chandeliers are also unique and hand-forged.

Smith also designed the home’s solarium, which has metal leaf panels that open like a flower with the push of a button. It’s described as the “crowning glory” of the house.

It sits on a huge, 2.86-acre lot filled with beautiful grounds designed by the Dallas landscape architecture firm Armstrong-Berger.

The exterior spaces are enhanced by fountains and statuary, which lend a formal atmosphere to the outdoor areas. The home also boasts resort-style amenities including a huge pool, cabana, spa, outdoor kitchen, fire pit, tennis court, beach volleyball area, and a party pavilion.

While a cook can whip up a meal outside, the home’s indoor kitchen is filled with high-end appliances and features a large island with plenty of seating. There’s also a wine cellar with custom metal doors decorated with grapes and vines.

The University Park area sits just north of Dallas and is home to Southern Methodist University, as well as the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

The home’s current owner, the business executive John C. Tolleson, is an SMU graduate and served as a former member of the school’s Board of Trustees from 2000 to 2012.