Your Expert Guide

Highland Park West: A prime location with a cozy small-town feel

Agent Penny Cook.

Photo courtesy of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty

There are so many great places to live in Dallas that it helps to have an expert on your side. The Neighborhood Guide presented by Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty gives you insider access from the agents who live and work there, providing in-the-know info about your possible new community.

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If you ask Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty agent Penny Cook what she likes most about Highland Park West, she'll probably have a difficult time choosing.

"HP West is convenient to the Tollway and Love Field, plus lots of shops and restaurants. The people are an eclectic mix of ages and lifestyles and it's a very friendly environment," she says. "Each block has a character and charm of its own."

The town of Highland Park is also well known for its excellent police, fire, and city services.

Cook offered up a few of her personal favorites about life in Highland Park West. Here's her guide to the area:

Where to eat & drink
Cook claims that the best donut store in DFW is within walking distance, but if you need a little more substance to your meals, head to Inwood Road. Hot spots include Mesero, Adelmo's, Flower Child, Rise, and Odelay. For a step back in time, go across Lovers Lane to Dunston’s Steakhouse.

Cook points out that just west of Inwood, there are several fabulous restaurants: Drake’s, Jose, Neighborhood Services, Lovers Seafood & Market, Shinsei Restaurant, and Dea.

Highland Park Village is also an easy walk and offers Sadelle's, Cafe Pacific, Mi Cocina, The Honor Bar, and Bistro 31.

Where to play
This is one of those areas where you not only get to know your neighbors, you also get to know your neighbors' dogs. "I love walking my dogs through the neighborhood," Cook says. "We see lots of neighbors and know all their dogs by name. My dogs know exactly which owners carry treats in their pockets, and there's even a hidden dog park!"

Where to live
"We have many different styles of architecture in the neighborhood, with a mixture of older cottages, larger two-story homes, and new construction," Cook says. "We also have some absolutely beautiful landscaping throughout our neighborhood."

Highland Park West is a small residential pocket with a big-deal location: It's an easy 10-minute drive to the Arts District, Turtle Creek, and the Katy Trail.

"Many of the homes here are hidden gems," Cook says. "There are lots of small cottages that have been beautifully renovated and decorated. It's fun to see how they have been transformed."

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Penny Cook lives, works, and plays in Highland Park West. For more information on buying and selling a home in the area, click here, email ptcook@briggsfreeman.com, or call 214-384-2847.

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Extraordinary modern ranch in Grapevine trots onto market for $7.2 million

Photo courtesy of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty

The Willow Wood Horse Farm in Grapevine is on the market for $7.2 million.

A stunning, 10-acre North Texas property that's fit for a modern cowboy has just hit the market for $7.2 million: Called the Willow Wood Horse Farm, the equestrian paradise is located on West Kimball Avenue in Grapevine, about 30 miles northwest of downtown Dallas.

The ranch is a combination of elegant and thoughtful modern design paired with all of the practicality required of a fully functioning farm.

According to the listing, which is held by Burgher-Ray Ranch Group and managed by David Burgher and Harlan Ray, the ranch includes several fenced pastures, an enclosed and insulated shop storage building with concrete flooring, and a seven-stall horse barn.

A covered and irrigated riding arena is attached to the barn, every stall has its own turnout, and six of the stalls are 12 feet by 12 feet wide, and the seventh is designated as a foaling stall. An additional turnout for grazing is located adjacent to the barn, as well as a training pen.

Willow Wood Horse Farm in Grapevine, ranch for sale The horse barn has seven stalls with individual turnouts.Photo courtesy of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty

But the focal point of the entire estate is the 4,353-square-foot, three-story primary residence that sits at the highest point of the gently sloped property. The home was custom-designed and completed in 2022, featuring an exterior made of metal cladding, concrete, durable ipe hardwood, and glass.

From the front door, guests will see views that lead through the home's living areas and into the 3,000-square-foot back deck, past the 80-foot-long saltwater swimming pool, and out toward the pastures.

The chef's kitchen is outfitted with luxurious Gaggenau appliances, such as a steam convection oven, a conventional convection oven, a coffee machine, stove, dishwasher, a separate paneled refrigerator and freezer, and a warming drawer. A half bathroom and full butler's pantry is located to the side of the kitchen, which is equipped with a prep space and a dishwasher.

Additional features of the home include:

Koi ponds located on either side of the main door that welcome guests to the home
An open concept living space that contains the living room, kitchen, and dining rooms
A primary suite with a spacious walk-in closet and en-suite bathroom
Two additional bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms
Soft opening/closing doors in all main bedrooms
Dynaudio speakers installed throughout the home
Geo-thermal heating/cooling system

A custom-built metal spiraling staircase connects all three levels of the home. The second floor includes a viewing area with floor-to-ceiling windows and access to the covered porch and rooftop deck. The lower level leads to an "acoustically balanced" underground home theater featuring eight-foot concert walls, Dynaudio speakers, an Ember Audio sound system, a 250-bottle wine cooler, and a powder bathroom. The listing notes that this area could be converted into a storm cellar.

Willow Wood Horse Farm in Grapevine, ranch for sale The underground home theater has an impressive Ember Audio sound system with Dynaudio speakers.Photo courtesy of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty

A detached three-car garage is located next to the home, and has one EV charging station and two additional outlets for charging. Discreetly designed solar panels are hidden on top of the garage, which are capable of powering the entire residence.

The horse barn, irrigation system, and stock pond all run off of a water well located on the property, while the primary residence uses city water with a filtration system.

"Situated in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, just minutes from Lake Grapevine, Southlake, and an easy commute to DFW International Airport, this property affords someone the ability to have all the comforts of the city, while living just slightly removed from it all," the listing says.

Photo courtesy of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty

The Willow Wood Horse Farm in Grapevine is on the market for $7.2 million.

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