F. Scott Fitzgerald is my favorite writer in the world, so I have always been obsessed with The Great Gatsby. On May 9, the film starring Leonardo DiCaprio will bedazzle Dallas, and what splendid timing: There are now three Dallas homes that would have made Daisy drop her fingernail file — or at least eschew the boredom of East Egg for a wildcatter in Texas and a home with a name.
Like, say, oilman-turned-art-hunter-and-author Robert Edsel. (He penned several books, including The Monuments Men, which has been adapted to the screen and opens this December, co-written, directed and produced by George Clooney, and starring Matt Damon and Cate Blanchett.) Edsel’s stunning mansion at 3828 Turtle Creek Dr. is currently listed for $15.9 million.
This home, a.k.a. Bellosguardo, was the second one built on Turtle Creek. It was originally constructed in 1926, putting it squarely in the Gatsby time frame of lavish parties in stunning mansions oozing with gin and terraces. In fact, the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek was the only home in the area that pre-dated it.
Daisy would have loved her some Preston Hollow, especially in a French-inspired chateau overlooking the rest of the world flowing down Inwood Road.
The Mediterranean-style Edsel home sits on two lots for a total of 2.17 acres, with 6,717 square feet of living space. The house has three bedrooms, four-plus bathrooms, dining room-library combo, several terraces, saltwater pool, wine cellar, spa and pool bath, and ivy-laced vines growing up the wall of the interior breakfast room.
Edsel spent years restoring it, and he retained 100 percent of the homes Roaring Twenties charm — in a few cases unearthing even more, with keen architectural guidance from Ike Isenhour.
Of course, Daisy would also have loved her some Preston Hollow, especially in a French-inspired chateau overlooking the rest of the world flowing down Inwood Road. Those lights in the distance? Those are the four torchieres surrounding the lit water fountain in the front circular drive at 9806 Inwood Rd.
This home, dubbed Dans Bois Crete, has 14,139 square feet, with six glorious bedrooms, seven bathrooms and three half baths. The owners applied 24-karat gold leaf to the ceilings of the entry hall and dining rooms, and there is a Baccarat chandelier. Besides, that blue velvet-paneled theater would be a great place to pre-screen Hollywood hits.
The Venetian-plastered walls, coffered ceilings, and marble and wood floors scream elegance, in much the same way Gatsby’s shirts did. The main part of the mansion includes arched glass French doors, a gaming room with adjacent bar, a paneled library of imported mahogany, a master retreat with attached screened-in porch, and multiple sitting rooms and studies.
The outdoor environment was designed by renowned Dallas landscape designer Harold Leidner, and it includes an outdoor kitchen with a full fryer. Not that Daisy cooks.
There is one more humble abode that Miss Daisy might fancy should she decide to leave Tom Buchanan and run away with Jay: 4939 Manson Court. Built by Mark Molthan in 2011, this home has the kind of size pizzazz Gatsby would crave.
It boasts nearly 30,000 square feet of ultimate living; four East Egg mansions would fit inside. Designed by starchitect Robbie Fusch with interiors by Ashley Astelford, there are nine bedrooms (including a 2,200-square-foot master), nine full and four half baths, multiple formals, casuals, study, library, gourmet kitchen, keeping room, three wet bars, Costco-sized pantry, outdoor kitchen and living area, media room, pool and pool house, and half-regulation-sized indoor basketball court.
Plot twist: Daisy runs off with Jay Gatsby, moves to the Bible Belt and has eight kids. And, at Manson Court, she will have the room. In addition to the above, there are nanny and guest quarters on the property, as well as a 3,700-square-foot garage that holds 14 cars. It would have been Gatsby’s playroom.
This one, listed with Hunter Dehn over at Mark Molthan Platinum Builders, will set you (or Daisy’s man) back $19,900,000. Hey, it’s only money — and this home lands you just off Strait Lane, right next to the Perots and Nowitzkis. Talk about a green light.
The home at 3828 Turtle Creek Blvd. was built in 1926, the second in the area.
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