Bidding opens at $17M for Cole Smith’s final Dallas estate commission

Concierge Auctions says bidding has opened at $17 million for a landmark Highland Park estate in Dallas, the final full residential commission of architect Cole Smith. The 2012 property will sell July 29 at Sotheby’s New York, with the closing also supporting Concierge Auctions’ Key For Key giving program.

Why it matters: - The estate is the final full residential commission by Cole Smith, giving the property unusual architectural significance. - The home sits in Old Highland Park, one of Dallas’ most coveted neighborhoods, where rare large lots and protected green space help drive demand. - The sale could draw global buyers because the property combines architectural pedigree, a premier location, and auction exposure.

What happened: - Concierge Auctions said the reserve has been met and bidding is now open at $17 million for the Dallas estate. - The home is listed for $29.9 million in cooperation with Ralph Randall of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty. - The property is at 3711 Lexington Avenue on an acre-plus corner lot overlooking St Johns Drive and Hackberry Creek Park. - Bidding will culminate live on 29 July at Sotheby’s New York during the “America 250 Sale” in New York City.

The details: - The estate was designed by Smith-Ekblad & Associates and completed in 2012. - The house includes a two-story Great Room with engineered acoustics that opens to a screened porch facing the greenbelt. - Formal spaces include a grand dining room, conservatory, and multiple gathering areas. - The kitchen is commercial-grade and built for hosting. - The second-floor primary suite includes a gentleman’s study, screened balcony, spa-inspired bath, couture dressing rooms, and private elevator access to wellness amenities. - The home also has a near-Olympic indoor natatorium with heated pool, spa, cabana, and fitness facilities. - Additional features include seven fireplaces, a commercial elevator serving all four floors, and parking for up to 10 vehicles. - The estate offers quick access to Highland Park Village, the Dallas Country Club, the Katy Trail, NorthPark Center, and the Dallas Arts District. - Images of the property are available online, with photography credited to Stephen Reed and Shoot2Sell. - More information, including property details and diligence documents, is available through Concierge Auctions.

Between the lines: - The property’s appeal rests as much on scarcity as on size, with the corner lot and park-facing setting unlikely to be replicated. - Auction timing at Sotheby’s New York gives the listing an upscale national stage that matches the home’s price point. - Joyce Lacerte, the seller, framed the estate as a family home built around craftsmanship and lasting memories, underscoring the personal and emotional dimension of the sale.

What’s next: - Live bidding closes on 29 July in New York. - Concierge Auctions said the closing will trigger funding through its Key For Key program with Giveback Homes, which supports new homes for families in need. - Agents will be compensated under the terms of the listing agreement.

The bottom line: - This is both a rare architectural estate sale and a high-profile luxury auction play in one of Texas’ most prestigious neighborhoods.