1720 Western Avenue - A marble fireplace, hardwood floors, crown moldings and antique lighting in the formal dining room.
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Located in the historic Hillcrest Addition, within walking distance to River Crest Country Club, sits a unique property with Nantucket-style curb appeal. 1720 Western Avenue is a home with a coveted corner lot sporting a charming white picket fence. But what awaits inside is a designer showplace like no other.
The home has been lovingly restored with many antique touches and a modern layout that speaks to today’s buyers. The interior designer behind the transformation is Cathleen Hodnett of Moureau Home. She actually grew up in the home, and when it was facing demolition, 1720 Western Avenue tugged at her heartstrings once again. So, she and her family became its caretaker once more, embarking on a lavish remodel ― bringing the home back to life.
Now listed for $2,800,000, the stately three-story home has four bedrooms and five and a half bathrooms, with multiple living and dining areas.
The white clapboard-sided exterior extends to the window-wrapped sunroom to your right, as you wander up the stone walkway to the home’s gracious covered front porch. You are greeted by a dramatic bronze door with its running Greek key pattern ― a replica of the windows from Ellis Island. The fabulous front door is only one of the items in this home that were salvaged from the New York apartment of Jackie O. The other is Onassis’ Chinoiserie painted dressing room cabinetry, with lattice-fronted doors that are backed by pleated linen, and drawers still lined in their original pink suede. How’s that for fancy?
Designer details include wallcoverings by Schumacher and hardware by SherleWagner, Water Works, and P. E. Geurin. The linear kitchen’s banquette is topped by de Gournay hand-painted wallpapers in a vibrant lemon tree motif. Here you’ll find parquet flooring, marble counter tops, antique mirrored elements, a coveted Lacanche range, and a full mirror-backed wet bar.
Antique French sconces and chandeliers add sparkle throughout. And, no expense was spared adding cased openings in doorways, classic molding and trim work, as well as beautifully veined marble fireplace surrounds, and interior doors with character ― which were salvaged from an East Coast estate.
1720 Western Avenue screams quality in its design and craftsmanship.
As the Hodnetts began the massive restoration project, they found many mysteries as the layers of the home were peeled back.
The home’s official build date is listed as 1943, but that may have been added to a much earlier structure, as its address falls either just within or on the outskirts of the WWI era Camp Bowie military training camp (for which Fort Worth’s most famous street takes its name). Historical research of the area is ongoing.
They found an original barn door in the kitchen, possibly leading to the residence’s cold storage or ice house. The electrical, as well, pre-dated 1943, as it was not knob and tube wiring which was common in construction of the 1940s. The home might have begun as an outbuilding or possibly even the Captain’s quarters for Camp Bowie around 1911, but it has definitely been added to over time.
Now the historic home has been completely reimagined, and updated to modern standards. It boasts design details and antique accents, including a completely reconfigured primary suite, fitted with Jackie O’s dressing room no less. And, the dining room was swapped with the living room, achieving more gracious proportions.
The side-yard is surrounded by mature hedges, with a pergola-covered stone patio perfect for your morning coffee or relaxing with friends.
For more information, contact listing agent Joseph Berkes with William’s Trew Real Estate.
