For many, the allure of high-rise living is undeniable – the sweeping views, the prestige, the vibrant urban energy. Yet, there’s a distinct group of discerning homeowners who seek the sophistication and prime location of an exclusive high-rise without necessarily desiring the elevated floors. They crave direct connection to the outdoors, the convenience of ground-level access, and expansive private green spaces. Enter Vendome’s remarkable Unit 1H, a singular offering that redefines luxury urban living by providing the esteemed Vendome address on the ground floor, a true architectural anomaly in a building celebrated for its vertical grandeur.
This exceptional residence is not just a home; it’s a prominent fixture, proudly showcased as the featured image on the esteemed Turtle Creek Tour of Homes webpage. This annual event curates a selection of Dallas’s most exquisite properties, offering a glimpse into unparalleled design and opulence. While the tour itself provides a delightful Sunday experience, if your anticipation is as keen as ours, you’ll be eager to delve deeper into the unique charms of Vendome Unit 1H right now.
Originally conceptualized as a common workout facility within the building’s preliminary plans, this space has been meticulously transformed into an extraordinary private residence. It’s an expansive home that boasts not just luxurious interiors but also an impressive collection of private outdoor retreats, reminiscent of a grand estate’s sprawling grounds. This magnificent property is exclusively listed with Judy Pittman, commanding a price of $3.95 million. While it doesn’t quite encompass a “back 40” in the literal sense, Unit 1H offers an astonishing approximately 2,000 deeded square feet across three distinct, plantable patio areas. These aren’t just balconies; they are substantial garden spaces that offer ample room for weekend gardening, cultivating your own botanical haven, or simply enjoying unparalleled outdoor relaxation. You won’t need a tractor for this urban oasis, but you’ll certainly appreciate the abundant green canvas. In total, the property sprawls across an impressive 5,540 square feet of combined indoor and outdoor living space, with the exquisitely designed interior featuring three spacious bedrooms and four luxurious bathrooms, ensuring comfort and privacy for residents and guests alike.
During my visit, I was captivated by the sheer scale and thoughtful design of this unique unit. It was particularly amusing to observe numerous small red dots adhered to various items throughout the home – a subtle yet telling indicator. I soon learned that these markers were placed by a prospective buyer, carefully designating the exquisite furnishings and artworks they wished to include with the sale. This home isn’t merely staged; it is a lived-in testament to sophisticated taste, brimming with the owner’s personal collection of gorgeous decor and, most notably, a breathtaking array of paintings created by the artist-owner themselves. With my “I don’t know much about art, but I know what I like” appreciation, I completely understood the flurry of red dots; the artistry within this home is truly compelling.
Beyond the striking visual of the ‘Blues Brothers’ artwork, one is immediately greeted by the private elevator lobby – a surprisingly sophisticated entry point for a ground-floor residence. You might, understandably, wonder why a home on the ground level requires an elevator. The Vendome building is ingeniously constructed on a site that slopes gently downhill towards the building’s main lobby and the picturesque Turtle Creek. To ensure the residential units remained perfectly level, the foundation was excavated to the absolute lowest point. Consequently, by the time one navigates from the street to the entrance of this unit, you find yourself subtly below ground level. The elevator, therefore, serves a clever purpose: it gracefully ascends a slight distance, bringing you up to the true ground floor of Unit 1H, offering an elegant and seamless transition into your private sanctuary.
Consider this private lobby as the central pivot point of the home’s intuitive layout. To the left, the discreet entrance to your personal elevator awaits, providing ultimate convenience and security. To the right, a welcoming doorway leads directly into the private quarters of the home, housing a versatile office space and two comfortable guest bedrooms, ideal for visitors or dedicated workspaces. The expansive, inviting opening positioned further to the right guides you effortlessly into the formal dining room, which in turn flows seamlessly into the heart of the home: the open-concept kitchen and family room combination. Directly behind the position of the photographer, a grand entryway opens into the magnificent main living room, setting the stage for opulent entertaining and culminating in the serene master suite. This thoughtful layout ensures both privacy and effortless circulation throughout the spacious residence.
The main living room is a testament to sophisticated design, featuring a beautifully recessed ceiling that dramatically enhances the sense of space and grandeur. Despite its generous proportions – a fact your Fitbit would undoubtedly confirm – the room never feels overwhelming, instead exuding an inviting and airy ambiance. As a coveted corner unit, this living area benefits from an abundance of natural light, streaming in through large, elegant windows on two sides, complemented by direct access doors leading out to the private patio areas. The walls are graced with captivating artworks by the owner/artist, each piece adding character and depth to the already stunning space. The mesmerizing black and white piece visible in the distance is particularly compelling up close, demanding admiration. An elegant archway in the far distance beckons, hinting at the luxurious sanctuary of the master suite that lies beyond.
Embarking on a journey down a wide, elegantly designed corridor, you’ll discover a gallery-like experience, with walls adorned by exquisite art pieces and punctuated by generous windows that invite natural light. This thoughtful transition leads directly into the serene sanctuary of the master bedroom. Positioned as a prime corner space, the master bedroom boasts an enviable dual-aspect window arrangement, offering panoramic views that infuse the room with an unparalleled sense of openness and tranquility. This is clearly a generously proportioned space, meticulously designed to offer an owner the luxurious experience of waking up to verdant views of their private garden oasis. And yes, adding to the curated elegance, that striking painting is yet another masterful creation by the talented owner.
The master bathroom is a masterpiece of design, though its unique, flowing layout makes it somewhat challenging to capture in a single photograph. Here, design transcends typical linearity. As you can observe, the luxurious soaking bathtub is artfully positioned perpendicular to the elegant double vanity, creating a dynamic and visually engaging space. To the right of the tub, a separate, spacious shower provides a private and invigorating experience. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, this bathroom seamlessly connects to an abundance of meticulously designed closet space, including a “his” closet that happily surpasses the typical, often cramped dimensions, offering truly ample storage. But the true gem of this room lies in its secret: a cleverly disguised, semi-hidden door that provides direct access to the kitchen-family room area, perfect for those discreet midnight snack runs or for effortlessly rejoining the casual living space.
And here we are, in the heart of the casual living area. To the left of the striking stacked stone wall, a subtle break in the custom shelving is just discernible – this, indeed, is the ingeniously concealed door leading directly to the master suite. What unfolds before you is a supremely comfortable and inviting family room, designed for relaxation and enjoyment. Imagine movie nights with popcorn just steps away, or simply unwinding in a space that feels both luxurious and lived-in. Notice the remarkable amount of built-in storage that lines the entire left wall, offering unparalleled functionality and keeping the space clutter-free and elegant. This area epitomizes the thoughtful balance between opulence and everyday practicality that defines Vendome Unit 1H.
From the comfort of the sofa in the family room, your gaze sweeps naturally across to the beautifully appointed kitchen. In today’s design landscape, where low-slung sofas are prevalent, the kitchen island ingeniously serves as the perfect, unobtrusive location for the television, ensuring entertainment without disrupting the overall aesthetic flow and open feel of the space. A clever design element, the black square integrated into the column is, in fact, a stylish fireplace, adding warmth and ambiance to the casual living area. To the left, you can catch a glimpse of the formal dining room, marking the next point in our circular tour back towards the entry. And yes, to the right, another inviting patio awaits, providing an idyllic spot for enjoying an al fresco breakfast or simply savoring the outdoor tranquility.
Here, we offer a third captivating angle on the heart of the home – the gourmet kitchen. In the distance, a professional-grade gas range promises culinary excellence, ready to inspire any chef. To the right, a seamlessly integrated refrigerator stands beside a cleverly designed bar seating area. This setup is particularly ingenious because every single inch of potential storage has been thoughtfully utilized, ensuring maximum efficiency without compromising on style. The entire wall behind the counter houses even more hidden storage, subtly integrated with discrete door handles, maintaining a sleek and uncluttered aesthetic. This kitchen is a testament to meticulous planning, combining high-end functionality with an elegant, streamlined design, making it a true centerpiece for both entertaining and daily living.
Completing our exquisite circular tour of the main living spaces, we arrive at the generous and elegant dining room. This beautifully appointed space acts as a sophisticated bridge, seamlessly connecting the vibrant kitchen area with the welcoming main entry. Currently configured to comfortably seat eight guests, its expansive dimensions could effortlessly accommodate a larger gathering for more elaborate dinner parties or family celebrations. The artistic ambiance of the home extends even here, with more of the owner’s captivating artwork gracing the rear wall, adding a distinctive touch of personality and refinement to every meal.
As you may recall, I mentioned earlier that off the main entry, a distinct doorway leads to the private guest bedrooms and additional versatile spaces. Passing through a well-designed corridor featuring more floor-to-ceiling storage solutions and a generously sized laundry room, we reach this functional yet stylish wing of the home. Here, a commanding office space takes center stage, thoughtfully flanked by two additional rooms. The room to the left is currently utilized as a comfortable and inviting guest room, perfect for hosting visitors. Meanwhile, the room to the right has been transformed into the owner’s dedicated art studio, a testament to the home’s creative spirit and the owner’s passion. This flexible layout allows for various configurations, whether for additional bedrooms, specialized hobby rooms, or expansive work-from-home setups, catering to a diverse range of lifestyle needs.
I know, I’ve been building the anticipation with tales of an unparalleled private yard, and here it is. The captivating outdoor space pictured above gracefully adjoins both the main living room and the luxurious master bedroom, offering seamless indoor-outdoor living. What lies within the elegant fence is exclusively yours to enjoy and cultivate. However, it’s important to note that specific HOA guidelines govern the usage and modifications within these private areas. The current owner, for instance, was humorously, yet preemptively, informed that bouncy castles were a definite “no-no.” This oddly specific directive made perfect sense once it was revealed that the previous owner had indeed harbored a desire for one. This anecdote playfully underscores the balance between private enjoyment and community harmony.
Beyond this primary patio, not pictured here, is another significant greenspace accessible directly off the kitchen. This area thoughtfully adjoins the building’s shared library space. In many high-rise communities, such communal areas often go largely underutilized. This presents a brilliant opportunity for Unit 1H residents: by simply flipping open your privacy gate, this otherwise quiet shared patio effectively transforms into an extended entertaining space for your exclusive use during gatherings. The fencing around your private areas serves a dual purpose: clearly delineating what belongs to you, while also marking the areas that the Homeowners Association (HOA) is responsible for landscaping and maintaining. This intelligent arrangement means you benefit from expanded green space and beautiful surroundings without the burden of its full maintenance. It’s a truly win-win situation, offering the joys of a sprawling garden without the typical upkeep.
While my personal preference leans more towards penthouse views than ground-level pavement, I can unequivocally attest to the exceptional appeal of Vendome Unit 1H. It presents a perfect solution for those who prefer not to contend with heights, or for individuals who cherish the ability to potter in a garden without completely sacrificing the conveniences and prestige of high-rise living. This unit masterfully blends the best of both worlds. And fair warning: don’t come complaining to me if you find yourself irresistibly drawn to acquiring the captivating artwork that graces every corner of this magnificent home – those “red dots” are contagious!
A Note from the Author: My focus consistently revolves around the dynamic world of high-rises, the intricacies of HOAs, and the transformative process of renovation. However, my passion also extends to appreciating the harmonious balance of modern and historical architecture, often viewed through the lens of the YIMBY movement. If your organization is interested in hosting a Candysdirt.com Staff Meeting event, I am your dedicated resource. My commitment to real estate journalism has been recognized by the National Association of Real Estate Editors, honoring my writing with two Bronze awards (2016, 2017) and two Silver awards (2016, 2017) in 2016 and 2017. Should you have a compelling story to share, a fascinating property to discuss, or perhaps even a unique marriage proposal to unveil, please don’t hesitate to reach out via email: [email protected]. I look forward to hearing from you.