Your Expert Guide

Rivercrest: Historic homes that harken back to Fort Worth's cowboy past

Agent Donna Kyle Veale

Photo courtesy of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty

There are so many great places to live in Fort Worth 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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Few embody the concept of "cowboys and culture" like Donna Kyle Veale. The real estate agent is the wife of a sixth-generation rancher and descendent of J.J. Ward of West Texas.

She moved from Telluride, Colorado, (where she is still a broker) to live with her husband in Fort Worth and enjoys representing luxury buyers and sellers in North Texas.

Donna Kyle and her husband are members of River Crest Country Club and are quick to tout the Rivercrest neighborhood's proximity to Fort Worth's Cultural District, Northside, and downtown area.

"Rivercrest is a great neighborhood for families, and especially golfers!" she says. "People greet you with a smile and live an active lifestyle. With easy access to downtown and the Trinity Trails, this area is a great location for young couples, families, and those interested in immersing themselves in Fort Worth."

Donna Kyle offered up a few of her personal favorites about life in Rivercrest. Here's her guide to the area:

Where to eat & drink
Donna Kyle's absolute favorite place to dine is Paris 7th, where the classic French cuisine reminds her of the year she lived in France. "My favorite small plate is the foie gras de canard au torchon," she says.

Roy Pope Grocery is her favorite place to grab a quick bite with friends, thanks to its comfortable, trendy atmosphere. "It has a fabulous gourmet deli, serving specialty coffees, wine, and beer," Donna Kyle says. "I can always count on fresh fruit from the produce section or a select Angus steak for the grill. The staff is especially friendly and always so helpful."

Where to play
River Crest Country Club offers much more than just a round of golf. "I always feel pampered by the staff, whether I’m hosting a special event or enjoying refreshments from the 1911 Lounge," she says. "Tuesday night is fried chicken night, and it is well attended by Rivercrest families."

What to see
Just a short distance from Rivercrest are the Cultural District museums. "I love visiting the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame," Donna Kyle says. "During the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, it’s a must on my list of places to take our out-of-town guests."

Her favorite specialty shop is PS The Letter, which is where she goes whenever she needs a unique gift. "I especially love sending handwritten notes, and PS The Letter has the most lovely collection of custom stationery," she says. "Their bespoke crystal gifts and custom decor never disappoint."

Where to live
"The historic elegance of the estates in Rivercrest captured my interest when I first moved to Fort Worth," Donna Kyle says. "The homes are diverse in terms of architecture, with styles ranging from Mediterranean to modern. Many of these homes date back to 1910, when Fort Worth was considered the Old West and populated by cattlemen, ranchers, and oil tycoons."

The grandest historic homes are the few that sit along the bluff on Crestline Road. Donna Kyle's personal favorite home in the Rivercrest area is the Baldridge House, a Georgian mansion built in 1910 that has been beautifully preserved and updated. It was designated as a Texas Historic Landmark by the Texas Historical Commission in 1978.

"Its gardens are as opulent as the chandeliers that drape the ceilings throughout the home," says Donna Kyle. "The home rivals many of this era — it is sincerely captivating!"

Some Rivercrest homes are tucked away for privacy yet have expansive golf course views. The floor plans are fitting for growing families, with three-plus bedrooms and ensuite baths — and expect to see large kitchens and dining areas separate from the living areas.

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Donna Kyle Veale works and plays in Rivercrest. For more information on buying and selling a home in the area, click here, email dkyle@briggsfreeman.com, or call 970-708-1535.

interview qa promoted home-for-sale hidedate

farm for sale

Unusual ultra-modern Grapevine ranch is on the market for $7.2 million

Photo courtesy of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty

The Willow Wood Horse Farm in Grapevine is on the market for $7.2 million.

A stunning 10-acre property in North Texas that looks like it was made for an ultra modern cowboy family has just hit the market for $7.2 million.

Called the Willow Wood Horse Farm, this one-of-a-kind equestrian paradise is located on West Kimball Avenue in Grapevine, about 30 miles northeast from downtown Fort Worth.

The ranch is an extraordinary combination of elegant and thoughtful modern design paired with all of the practicality required of a fully functioning farm.

According to the listing, which is held by Burgher-Ray Ranch Group and managed by David Burgher and Harlan Ray, the farm includes several fenced pastures, an enclosed and insulated shop storage building with concrete flooring, and a seven-stall horse barn.

A covered and irrigated riding arena is attached to the barn, every stall has its own turnout, and six of the stalls are 12 feet by 12 feet wide, and the seventh is designated as a foaling stall. An additional turnout for grazing is located adjacent to the barn, as well as a training pen.

Willow Wood Horse Farm in Grapevine, ranch for sale The horse barn has seven stalls with individual turnouts.Photo courtesy of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty

But the focal point of the entire estate is the 4,353-square-foot, three-story primary residence that sits at the highest point of the gently sloped property. The home was custom-designed and completed in 2022, featuring an exterior made of metal cladding, concrete, durable ipe hardwood, and glass.

Upon entering the front door, guests will notice unparalleled views that lead through the home's living areas and into the 3,000-square-foot back deck, past the 80-foot-long saltwater swimming pool, and out toward the pastures.

The chef's kitchen is outfitted with luxurious Gaggenau appliances, such as a steam convection oven, a conventional convection oven, a coffee machine, stove, dishwasher, a separate paneled refrigerator and freezer, and a warming drawer. A half bathroom and full butler's pantry is located to the side of the kitchen, which is equipped with a prep space and a dishwasher.

Additional features of the home include:

Koi ponds located on either side of the main door that welcome guests to the home
An open concept living space that contains the living room, kitchen, and dining rooms
A primary suite with a spacious walk-in closet and en-suite bathroom
Two additional bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms
Soft opening/closing doors in all main bedrooms
Dynaudio speakers installed throughout the home
Geo-thermal heating/cooling system

A custom-built metal spiraling staircase connects all three levels of the home. The second floor contains a viewing area with floor-to-ceiling windows and access to the covered porch and rooftop deck. The lower level leads to an "acoustically balanced" underground home theater featuring eight-foot concert walls, Dynaudio speakers, an Ember Audio sound system, a 250-bottle wine cooler, and a powder bathroom. The listing notes that this area could be converted into a storm cellar.

Willow Wood Horse Farm in Grapevine, ranch for sale The underground home theater has an impressive Ember Audio sound system with Dynaudio speakers.Photo courtesy of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty

A detached three-car garage is located next to the home, which contains one EV charging station and two additional outlets for charging. Discreetly designed solar panels are hidden on top of the garage, which are capable of powering the entire residence.

The horse barn, irrigation system, and stock pond all run off of a water well located on the property, while the primary residence uses city water with a filtration system.

"Situated in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, just minutes from Lake Grapevine, Southlake, and an easy commute to DFW International Airport, this property affords someone the ability to have all the comforts of the city, while living just slightly removed from it all," the listing says.

Photo courtesy of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty

The Willow Wood Horse Farm in Grapevine is on the market for $7.2 million.

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