In addition to being W’s hometown, Dallas now has a new distinction: It is home to the most expensive piece of dirt on the market in the United States. For that honor, we can thank Cinda and Tom Hicks, who put their 42,500-square-foot Crespi Estate on the market, which sits on 25 acres in the prime of Preston Hollow.
To be clear, the home is not in MLS, but the listing has been given to one Douglas Newby, a charming agent who specializes in significant, memorable homes and counts many high-net-worth folks among his clients. Watch Newby talk about the Crespi Estate in this video:
How much are they asking? $135,000,000. Yes, you read that right: $135 million.
Newby says the land is worth at least $2 million an acre, and the residence is worth $2,000 a square foot. The Hicks poured $100 million into a Peter Marino-directed remodel of the Maurice Fatio estate originally built for an Italian countess.
The Hicks estate has become a real game changer in the Dallas real estate world. For fun, let’s take a look at the next four most expensive homes on the market, shall we?
No. 2: 4939 Manson Court
The Hicks estate knocks out 4939 Manson Court from the top spot. Hunter Dehn’s $29,995,000-and-change listing has almost 30,000 square feet of living space on 4 acres off chichi Strait Lane.
The super-green home was designed by starchitect Robbie Fusch with gorgeous interiors by Ashley Astelford. There are nine bedrooms, nine full baths, four half baths, multiple formals, casuals, study, library, gourmet kitchen, keeping room, three wet bars, warehouse-sized pantry, outdoor kitchen and living area, pool and pool house, half regulation-sized indoor basketball court, 2,200-square-foot master bedroom (that’s larger than the size of the average American home), 3,7000-square-foot garage, underground media room, and nanny quarters. Heck, even the nanny gets guest quarters.
Owners are Shanin and Bryan Wilburn of Southwest Risk LLP, an insurer that takes on high-hazard business exposure.
No. 3: 4009 W. Lawther Dr., a.k.a. Mount Vernon
Manson Court surpasses my personal favorite, the classical Mount Vernon over on the shores of White Rock Lake, listed with Allie Beth Allman and reduced to $24,900,000. This is the home built by H.L. Hunt, with Dallas’ very first swimming pool. For that price you get more than 10,500 square feet on 10 acres with five bedrooms, nine baths, multiple living areas, two-story guest house (beloved by actress Glenn Close, among others), four-lane bowling alley and party room, wine cellar, elevator, 16-car concourse, and lighted tennis courts. Oh, and that original pool, with cabana, is heated.
The home, owned by Teresa and John Amend, was reduced last year from $29,000,000, so get it while it’s hot!
No. 4: 6601 Hunters Glen Rd.
The No. 4 most expensive home on the Dallas market is 6601 Hunters Glen Rd., listed with Mathews Nichols Group at Allie Beth Allman, for $19.5 million. This gated Volk Estates home in Highland Park sits on 1.802 acres. The three-story residence has 12,957 square feet, 10 wood-burning fireplaces, four bedroom suites in the main house, private gardens and courtyards, tennis courts with covered viewing terrace, putting green, two-story cabana with kitchen, outdoor kitchen, in-ground trampoline, and fire pit — all within walking distance of Highland Park Village.
The home is owned by Tracey and Richard Cheatham. He’s a former director of land and negotiations acquisitions for Hunt Oil, now an investor in Bluescape Resources.
No. 5: 1808 Pointe De Vue Dr.
The fifth most expensive house on the list — a French-inspired chateau up in Flower Mound overlooking Lake Grapevine — can be yours for only $14,750,000. On more than 10 acres, 1808 Pointe De Vue Dr. boasts 21,131 square feet, which is about half the size of the Hicks estate. The home is richly finished out with imported stone, Venetian plaster, hand-painted murals, top-of-the line appliances, and custom woodwork and finishes.
The lake views from the rear of the house and balcony are stunning; you truly do not think you are in North Texas. The main house — sorry, chateau — has nine living areas, nine fireplaces, six bedrooms, six-and-a-half baths, and guest house with three bedrooms. Oh, and a three-stall horse barn.
The only bad news is that the owner, Jacque Evans (no relation, unfortunately), wishes to retain her mineral rights — now that's a smart Texas cookie.
4939 Manson Court
The small town of Fate has grown by 172 percent since 2014, StorageCafe says.fatetx.gov/