Your Expert Guide

Monticello: Sophisticated living and upscale convenience in Cowtown

Agent David Chicotsky

Photo by Michaela Chicotsky

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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The Chicotsky name will likely sound familiar to Fort Worth residents. David Chicotsky’s family's shopping center has been in the Monticello neighborhood since 1950, a location originally chosen for its proximity to downtown and the Will Rogers Memorial Center.

When Chicotsky and his wife, Michaela, first started in real estate, they knew they wanted to serve this particular area of town, as most of its patrons had already worked with their family in some capacity. “We simply wanted to expand our offerings to them,” says Chicotsky.

They take a unique, hands-on approach to the real estate business, leveraging their deep-seated local knowledge — and their affinity for Monticello is palpable.

“It truly is custom-tailored to those who want to be immersed in the cultural fabric of Fort Worth,” says Chicotsky. “Dining, entertainment, and boutique shopping is all close at hand, and it’s only a short distance to downtown and the Fort Worth Stockyards, too. Plus, it’s an established neighborhood with eclectic residents.”

A fun fact about Chicotsky: He was formerly ranked the number-one online poker player in the world and has an economics and game theory background, which he puts to use when breaking down the numbers for clients and developing a strategy to best fit their needs.

Chicotsky offered up a few of his personal favorites about life in Monticello. Here's his guide to the area:

Where to eat & drink
“Living here means you are mere minutes from incredible cuisine options, from Don Artemio to Piattello,” says Chicotsky. “Clay Pigeon is also a perfect spot for date night. The food and service are always great!”

For barbecue, he says you can’t go wrong at either Railhead Smokehouse BBQ or Angelo's.

Where to play
“Pickleball is great at Rivercrest Country Club," says Chicotsky. “I’m also looking forward to Canyon Ranch Wellness Club, which is opening in December 2023.”

For a night out, both Dickies Arena and the Will Rogers Memorial Center always have a steady stream of concerts, family shows, sporting events, and more.

What to see
“We have access to incredible art in this city,” says Chicotsky. “Of course, there are great exhibitions at the Kimbell Art Museum, Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, Amon Carter Museum of American Art, and National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, but there are also local galleries showcasing local artists, as well. One we recently stumbled upon was The Shafer Collection and the attached Warehouse.”

Where to live
“There are beautiful homes of many styles here that range from cottage, bungalow, Craftsman, Mediterranean, and modern traditional,” says Chicotsky. “It is also not unusual to see custom homes in this area — especially on larger lots.”

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David Chicotsky works and plays in Monticello. For more information on buying and selling a home in the area, click here, email dchicotsky@briggsfreeman.com, or call 817-888-8088.

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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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