Your Expert Guide

Knox-Henderson: How the Katy Trail and its local gems dazzled this resident

Agent Melissa Frantz-Ellerman.

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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When Melissa Frantz-Ellerman moved to the Knox-Henderson area in 2020, it didn't take her long to fall in love with this Dallas neighborhood. Coming from a 26-year real estate career in Atlanta, she now sings the praises of Knox-Henderson to her friends, family, and clients at Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty.

"I love the sense of community in this area, the small-town feel in the middle of a large metro area," Frantz-Ellerman says. "Plus there's the Katy Trail, lots of local restaurants and shops, and it's adjacent to Highland Park."

Frantz-Ellerman describes this energetic area as welcoming, manicured, and safe — so safe, in fact, that she says she plans on helping her son, who recently graduated from SMU, and his friends find homes in Knox-Henderson.

Frantz-Ellerman offered up a few of her personal favorites about life in Knox-Henderson. Here's her guide to the area:

Where to eat & drink
Distinct dining is at the core of Knox Street's vivacious culture, posting an extremely elevated collection of revered restaurants and cocktail bars, each bringing individuality and an unparalleled experience.

A multitude of cuisines is abundant, including classic French fare at Le Bilboquet and Toulouse, modern culinary creations at Grange Hall, exceptional American fusion at RH Dallas' rooftop restaurant and in Georgie by Curtis Stone, masterfully crafted Italian cuisine at Taverna, and a taste of modern Latin America at Doce Mesas.

Order freshly baked pastries and hand-crafted lattes to-go at Village Baking Company or enjoy a leisurely al fresco dinner, all just steps from your home.

Upcoming openings include Pizzana, a pizzeria from the founders of Sprinkles Cupcakes that's slated to open in April 2023. But perhaps the most exciting venture will be coming from Duro Hospitality (known for The Charles and Sister), which will open in the iconic Highland Park Pharmacy space early next year.

The Katy Trail Ice House, which sits right along the Katy Trail, is not to be missed. Considered by many to be the best patio in Dallas, this spot is an Austin-style beer garden with tree-shaded tables and 50 beers on tap. "Did I mention it's very dog-friendly, too?" Frantz-Ellerman says. "It is a spot everyone must experience."

Where to play
Dallas' most walkable shopping and dining district is located between prestigious Highland Park and Henderson Avenue, less than three miles from downtown, offering a premier destination for locals and guests to explore and experience along the iconic Katy Trail. A curated collection of the trendiest names in men's and women's apparel, interior design, and wellness are anchored by bespoke local boutiques and restaurants that have continued to welcome generations of patrons.

Whether shopping contemporary styles at Vince, Lululemon, and dozens more, or seeking interior design inspiration at Restoration Hardware, Serena and Lily, and Crate and Barrel, a vast selection of unique lifestyle brands and businesses are around every corner.

From luxe gifts at Grange Hall to Dallas' most acclaimed fitness studios and personal care destinations, a refreshing sense of place and the warmest of welcomes can be discovered when strolling down tree-lined streets boasting a thoughtful mixture of preserved historic facades, innovative architecture, and charming courtyards.

“I love the ease and encouragement of a healthy lifestyle here," Frantz-Ellerman says. "It’s so easy to just hop on the Katy Trail for a quick run or a long bike ride. My husband and I take long rides on the weekend, shorter ones during the week (with my dog strapped in my basket), and walk to our weekly Wednesday night reservation at our first date spot, Taverna. In a large city like Dallas, access to the Katy Trail, shopping, restaurants, and the overall charm of the Knox Street area is a special gift and one of the most alluring qualities of Knox-Henderson. So pair that with your home being right in the middle of it, and life is good!"

Where to live
This area has an eclectic mix of townhomes, single-family homes, and apartment/condo buildings, making it an ideal spot for every stage in life. Frantz-Ellerman lives with her husband, who builds custom homes in the Park Cities, in a home just steps from the Katy Trail.

One of Dallas’ most ambitious Knox Street projects is on its way, says Frantz-Ellerman. Austin billionaire Michael Dell’s family investment firm, along with Trammell Crow and The Retail Connection, are partnering to offer a mixed-use development that will feature an Auberge Resorts Collection Hotel and Residences, restaurants, retail, luxury rental building, a boutique office building, and a new park space.

This project will bring a one-of-a-kind luxury hotel and residential experience to one of Dallas' most beloved live-work-play destinations. The centrally located park integrates with the Katy Trail while serving as a meeting place and respite for those enjoying the trail and the Knox Street neighborhood.

The new development will preserve and enhance the authentic character of Knox Street, amplify and expand upon its connection to the Katy Trail, and strategically add new and exciting uses and experiences to solidify the neighborhood as one of the most recognizable shopping, dining, and residential districts in the country.

Whether you're an SMU grad like Frantz-Ellerman's son, just building your foundation in Dallas, or an out-of-towner looking for the perfect spot to start the next chapter, Knox-Henderson has something for everyone, and Frantz-Ellerman has the passion, experience, and bespoke service to get you there. In this past year alone, she has sold several off-market homes in Knox-Henderson, and the ones that were on-market received an average of 11 offers and sold 22 percent above list price.

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Melissa Frantz-Ellerman lives, works, and plays in Knox-Henderson. For more information on buying and selling a home in the area, click here, email mfrantz@briggsfreeman.com, or call 404-791-3686.

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WALKING ON SUNSHINE LANE

A peek inside the $20 million Southlake mansion going wild on social media

Photo courtesy of Douglas Elliman

The transitional Mediterranean mansion at 1469 Sunshine Lane.

One of the most expensive homes in Texas is on the market for $20 million in Southlake - and it's drawing more than a little attention on social media.

And, no wonder: The opulent 31,000-square-foot mansion, at 1469 Sunshine Ln., features such over-the-top amenities as a full-size basketball court, bowling alley, batting cage, movie theater, and "indoor glass-enclosed" trampoline.

The transitional Mediterranean estate hit the market in December for a whopping $19.99 million. A January 30 post on the Zillow Gone Wild Facebook page called it "the most Southlake, TX home we’ve ever seen," and made it instantly social media-famous. Thousands of people have chimed in to comment.

Seated on 3.6 acres and boasting 31,234 square feet, the home was built in 2016 and features - at first glance - all the "normal" nice things that a nice mansion has: seven bedrooms, six full bathrooms and four half-baths, an open floor plan, smart home technology, and plenty of natural light to experience Texas sunsets.

Photo courtesy of Douglas Elliman

The mansion at 1469 Sunshine Ln., Southlake, is on the market for $20 million.

Then the listing gets to the part about it being “an entertainer’s paradise,” and that's where things get wild. The home can accommodate multiple athletic activities, has designated yoga and beauty rooms, a spa, wine room, and nine attached garage spaces.

Other features include:

Chef’s kitchen
Elevator
Gym
Game room
Two guest suites with a private entry
Turfed backyard

Elsewhere on the grounds is the perfect solution to enduring the hot Texas summers – two climate-controlled saltwater pools and hot tubs with a hidden waterslide, jumping rock, and diving board. The outdoor space is completed by an enclosed heated terrace, outdoor living area, and kitchen.

Zillow Gone Wild commenters have, predictably, expressed their awe or disdain for the extravagant manse. One commenter said they could imagine fictional mafia boss Tony Soprano “walking down that driveway in his bathrobe to get the paper,” after looking through the listing’s photos.

“This is the first mansion where I’m like, yep. I’d buy this if I was rich,” another admirer said.

A more sarcastic commenter wrote, “I’m sorry, but only one lane for bowling? I’m out.”

Critics were quick to call out the home’s opulence while others in the state struggle with homelessness or financial stability. “This kind of wealth actually makes me sick to my stomach. There’s so much better that could’ve been done with all this money,” one critic commented.

Others focused on guessing who the mansion belonged to. Southlake, after all, is home to plenty of celebrities and professional athletes.

Some guesses landed on a former baseball player’s home. “Serious question, is this A-Rod’s former house? It looks familiar, and he did play for the Rangers,” asked a curious viewer.

Other commenters believed the home belonged to a former Los Angeles Lakers player, after witnessing the signature gold and purple colors decorating the walls of the basketball court.

While Douglas Elliman listing agent Breah Brown said the owners wish to remain private (one might imagine the security concerns when a house goes viral on social media), she revealed they constructed the home themselves and are behind all aspects of the design and customization.

As for the next owners ... they can brag that they live in one of the top 10 most expensive homes in Texas in the richest city in the state.

Zillow Gone Wild 1469 Sunshine Lane douglas elliman $20m southlake mansion luxury home-for-sale