This century-old Turtle Creek treasure couldn’t have fallen into better hands when longtime Dallas resident Robert Edsel assumed ownership 10 years ago.
After all, the accomplished author — whose second book The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History inspired the George Clooney screenplay for the movie of the same name — had just spent nearly a decade in Europe, primarily Florence, prepping for the move, though he didn’t know it at the time.
He originally went there to hone his lifelong appreciation for art and architecture. But ultimately he ended up in voracious pursuit of answers to a burning question for the ages: Why did so many monuments and great works of art survive the thefts and devastation of World War II? He dedicated years of his life to painstaking research about a heretofore unknown group of men – Monuments Men — who selflessly saved numerous art and cultural treasures for the benefit of their fellow man.
Next week, Mr. Edsel will receive the award of a lifetime for his efforts. Along with the last living Monuments Men, he’s being honored with a Congressional Medal of Honor for his work as the Founder and Chairman of the Monuments Men Foundation.
Knowing this tiny sliver of Mr. Edsel’s amazing biography – which also includes professional tennis player, oil & gas technology pioneer, St. Marks School of Texas Distinguished Alum, and October 2015 SMU Tate Lecture Series Speaker at his alma mater — it’s not at all surprising to learn he spent a year living at 3828 Turtle Creek Plaza before he ever did anything to it. His logic?
“I wanted to get a sense of what it wanted and needed. I didn’t want the house to surrender its essence to me,” Mr. Edsel said.
True to his word, he has spent his time at the place he affectionately named Bellosguardo or “Beautiful View” (for the town he lived in in Italy), lovingly preserving and restoring its best features. Many had been covered and modified through the years. The sympathetic approach taken by Mr. Edsel blends a timeless 1920s architectural style with a contemporary way of living.
The walled, secluded estate, which also invokes thoughts of Santa Barbara, is sited on 2+ acres of Turtle Creek. It was only the second residence built in the area, after the Sheppard King Mansion, now The Mansion Hotel on Turtle Creek. It has more front footage along the creek (some 400 ft.) than any other residence in Dallas. It’s easy to see how it got its name.
The home is approached from Turtle Creek Drive, a privately owned street, where heavy landscaping, a high wall, a gated pedestrian entry and enclosed parking area provide the utmost security. The property is hidden from the street and gives little indication of the treasure that lies beyond, not unlike many of the great houses of Europe.
A large grand foyer leads to the great room with 25-ft. beamed ceiling.
The lower level has a gym and wine cellar and access to the saltwater pool and loggia, and the spa-dressing room.
There are several large outdoor entertaining areas including one with a fireplace overlooking Turtle Creek. There is a lily pond, a rose garden, herb garden, covered terraces, original tile work in and out, incredible gardens, gated driveway and privacy landscaping all around.
There is much more included in this splendid setting. Priced at $11,200,000. Absolutely nothing like it in Dallas.
To schedule a showing, contact Madeline Jobst at 972-733-5099 or at madelinejobst@daveperrymiller.com.
