In the heart of Hickory Creek, North Texas, stands an estate of unparalleled grandeur and historical significance – 1851 Turbeville Road. This magnificent property, once famously known as Champ d’Or (French for “Gold Field”), is a stunning homage to French architectural brilliance, directly inspired by the iconic Vaux-le-Vicomte chateau outside Paris. From its inception, this residence was destined to be more than just a home; it was envisioned as a monumental work of art, a private palace reflecting the peak of luxury and meticulous craftsmanship.
Spanning an impressive 48,000 square feet and set within 39 meticulously landscaped acres, this estate is a testament to extraordinary vision and limitless resources. Originally commissioned by Alan H. Goldfield, founder of CellStar Corp., and his wife, Shirley, it rapidly ascended to become one of the most distinguished private residences in the entire United States. The estate seamlessly blends classical French design principles with state-of-the-art modern amenities, creating a living experience that is both historically rich and undeniably lavish. Every detail, from the grand proportions to the intricate finishes, speaks volumes about the dedication to creating a truly unique and lasting legacy in North Texas luxury real estate.
The interior of 1851 Turbeville Road unfolds like a journey through an opulent dream, offering an endless array of bespoke, high-end amenities designed for ultimate comfort and entertainment. Guests are immediately captivated by the towering two-story mahogany library, a sanctuary of knowledge and quiet contemplation, where custom-crafted shelves reach towards a magnificent ceiling. The estate also boasts a conservatory, meticulously designed to evoke the charming ambiance of the Tavern on the Green in New York City, providing a sun-drenched space perfect for casual gatherings or elegant soirees.
For cinematic experiences, an ornate theater awaits, complete with a professional stage, twin loges for exclusive viewing, a vast screen, and even a concession stand to complete the movie-going experience. Navigating the expansive residence is effortless with two commercial-grade elevators, complementing the multiple grand staircases that serve as architectural focal points. The estate is dotted with numerous powder rooms and exquisitely detailed fireplaces, ensuring convenience and warmth throughout. The master suite is a private oasis, featuring a steam room inspired by the classic elegance of “The Rat Pack” era, a dedicated hair salon, and arguably one of the most famous closets in the world: a two-story, Chanel-style “her” closet, all black-lacquered and designed to fulfill every fashion enthusiast’s dream. A corresponding two-story “his” closet offers equally generous storage. Completing this lavish private retreat are an indoor lap pool and an exercise room, conveniently located off the enormous master bathroom, which itself includes the thoughtful touch of heated towel drawers, enhancing the daily spa-like experience. This comprehensive collection of amenities ensures every desire is catered to, creating an environment of unparalleled luxury and convenience.
The estate’s capacity for grand-scale entertaining is truly boundless. The third story unveils a breathtaking mirrored ballroom, a direct tribute to the famed Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles. This magnificent space comes complete with a full catering kitchen and separate powder rooms for ladies and gentlemen, making it ideal for hosting galas, weddings, or any event demanding an extraordinary backdrop. Beyond its opulent interiors, the estate extends its hospitality outdoors. A vast veranda, capable of seating up to 450 guests, offers picturesque views and an idyllic setting for large al fresco events. Complementing the main kitchen, a dedicated catering kitchen and a sophisticated Butler’s pantry ensure seamless service for events of any size. The Butler’s pantry is a marvel of design and functionality, boasting an island with a hidden compartment that neatly stores a full-size Brown Jordan serving cart, a testament to the meticulous planning behind every detail of this home.
The lower level of the estate transforms into an entertainment paradise, offering a diverse range of recreational activities. Here, residents and guests can enjoy a state-of-the-art bowling alley for friendly competitions, a full racquetball court for active pursuits, and an impressive garage capable of housing up to 20 cars, catering to the most avid collector. A commercial-grade laundry room, equipped with a heavy-duty washer, dryer, and sheet press, ensures practicality alongside luxury. For connoisseurs, a full wine room provides the perfect environment for storing and enjoying a prized collection, while a dedicated gift wrap room with ample storage adds a thoughtful touch to holiday preparations. The outdoor amenities are equally impressive, featuring a sparkling swimming pool and a charming pool house, a professional-grade tennis court, and numerous inviting patios and gardens that invite relaxation and enjoyment of the expansive grounds.
The private accommodations within the estate are as luxurious as the common areas, thoughtfully designed to offer comfort and privacy. While the exact number of bedrooms varies slightly in layout, the residence typically features around six bedrooms, complemented by six full bathrooms and an additional eight powder rooms. The expansive master wing is conveniently located on the first floor, offering a private sanctuary. On the second floor, the elegant Wedgewood suite provides a spacious living area with its own cozy fireplace, a practical breakfast bar, a luxurious ensuite bath, and a private laundry room—ideal for extended stays or discerning guests. Also on the second floor is another two-bedroom suite, with each bedroom benefiting from its own en suite bath, ensuring comfort and privacy for all occupants. A further distinct bedroom compartment is situated on the third floor, near the ballroom, offering even more versatile living space. This area includes its own living and dining rooms, a fully equipped kitchen, two additional bedrooms, and separate en suite baths, making it perfect for a private family wing or staff quarters, ensuring that every resident or guest enjoys their own bespoke haven.
Once again, the esteemed Joan Eleazer of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty has the privilege of listing this iconic property, now gracefully rebranded as “A French Country Retreat.” With an asking price of $17,500,000, the estate marks a new chapter in its storied history. The name Champ D’Or, while evocative of its origins, has been retired, reflecting the change in ownership from the Goldfield family. For the past several years, a new family has cherished 1851 Turbeville Road as a beloved second home, filling its grand halls with new life, laughter, and love. Now, they are prepared to pass this magnificent baton, offering a unique opportunity for another discerning owner to experience the magic and grandeur of this North Texas masterpiece.
Joan Eleazer’s connection to 1851 Turbeville Road runs deep; she has been involved in its listing history from the very beginning, acting as the first, middle, last, and now, once again, the current agent for this remarkable property. The estate’s journey through the real estate market has seen a notable roster of top agents over the years—a lineup extensive enough to form its own brokerage. Prominent names like Doris Jacobs, Greg Cagle with Ebby Halliday, Elaine Whitfield with Dave Perry-Miller, and Cindy Frey have all, at various times, taken on the challenge of marketing this unique residence. Most recently, Rogers Healy listed the property for $35 million. Each agent who represented the Goldfields invested significantly in marketing the property, with typical expenditures around $100,000, and Greg Cagle notably spending a reported $150,000. This extensive marketing effort underscores the property’s exclusivity and the considerable resources required to reach its niche market.
Joan recounted a fascinating anecdote about the original owners, Shirley and Alan Goldfield, revealing that they had decided to sell the home even before its completion. When she and Robbie Briggs of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s first drove up I-35 to Turbeville Road in Hickory Creek around 2002, they were met with an astonishing sight: a flawless, 48,000-square-foot 17th-century French chateau, an architectural marvel north of Dallas. Workers were still on scaffolding, meticulously adding the finishing touches. The Goldfields had dedicated nearly five years to the construction, ensuring that no aspect of the home, not a single detail, was rushed. Shirley Goldfield was known as an absolute perfectionist, and her unwavering commitment dictated that every inch of the residence had to embody utter perfection. This dedication to uncompromising quality is precisely why the estate has not only endured but continues to captivate with its timeless elegance.
The enduring quality and exquisite craftsmanship of the estate are evident in every corner, even years after its initial construction. During a recent tour, the pristine condition of the floors, the immaculate mantels that effortlessly pass the “white glove test,” and fixtures that appear as if freshly delivered, were all striking. This timelessness is a direct result of the Goldfields’ meticulous attention to detail and Shirley’s unwavering pursuit of perfection. The home is replete with thoughtful, subtle luxuries, such as sound-proof doors leading to the home theater, ensuring an undisturbed cinematic experience. Furthermore, an abundance of cleverly integrated storage solutions is found throughout the residence, addressing every practical need with elegance.
A particularly charming anecdote highlights the Goldfields’ dedication to authenticity: they once purchased an entire jewelry store in Paris, Texas, solely because they admired the exquisite cabinet craftsmanship of its interiors. These unique cabinets and shelving units were then transported to Turbeville Road, where they were repurposed to create the stunning Butler’s pantry, a space that is as beautiful as it is functional. This pantry itself features an ingenious island that opens at one end, neatly storing a full-size Brown Jordan serving cart, underscoring the level of detail and convenience integrated into every aspect of the home’s design. Indeed, it’s often said that there was simply nothing Shirley Goldfield didn’t consider, a testament to her comprehensive vision and the unparalleled quality of this extraordinary estate.
The intrinsic value of 1851 Turbeville Road transcends its current asking price of $17.5 million, as a home of this caliber could simply never be reproduced today for that sum. At one point, during the Goldfields’ ownership, Champ D’Or was listed for an astonishing $72 million, and they reportedly invested $65 million in its construction between 1998 and 2002. Shirley Goldfield herself shared a poignant detail, recounting how she added the doves to the central foyer rotunda after the tragic events of 9/11—a personal touch implemented while she was working on the home with her craftsmen when news of the attacks on America broke. Shirley harbored a deep admiration for all things French, particularly the Château de Versailles and its iconic Hall of Mirrors, which served as the profound inspiration for the estate’s spectacular mirrored ballroom.
Her appreciation for French heritage extended to Napoleon’s residences, such as the Palace of Fontainebleau, where the emperor famously displayed his plates in the hallway. This inspired the creation of the estate’s own “Hall of Plates,” a unique architectural feature that came with the house, along with selected pieces of furniture and the famous black Chanel rug. The Hall of Plates elegantly connects the formal living and dining areas to the sun-drenched conservatory, serving as a magnificent display of curated artistry. These cherished plates were all included in the sale to the new owners, ensuring that a piece of the Goldfields’ personal vision and historical inspiration continued with the estate’s next chapter. Such bespoke details further elevate the home beyond mere property, transforming it into a living museum of French culture and personal legacy.
The profound influence of Parisian luxury is unmistakably woven into the fabric of Turbeville Road. The two-story, all-black-lacquered “closet of every woman’s dreams,” arguably the most famous and luxurious private wardrobe in the world, drew its inspiration directly from the iconic Chanel store in Paris. This extravagant space is a fashionista’s ultimate sanctuary, offering unparalleled elegance and functionality. Similarly, the rooftop pool at the Hôtel de Paris in Monte Carlo provided the blueprint for the private lap pool situated off the master suite, offering a serene and exclusive aquatic escape. Shirley Goldfield once shared that the magnificent central estate dome, a prominent and distinctive feature of Champ d’Or, was inspired by the meticulous renovation of Vaux-le-Vicomte itself. These specific inspirations not only imbue the estate with a sense of historical grandeur but also underscore the Goldfields’ commitment to translating their global experiences and exquisite tastes into a truly unique North Texas masterpiece.
Beyond its architectural splendor, this estate serves as a fascinating chronicle of North Texas’s economic and real estate history. Turbeville Road was conceived and constructed during the roaring Plano telecom boom, a period when CellStar Corp.’s stock soared, directly fueling Shirley Goldfield’s extraordinary dream. However, like many enterprises of that era, CellStar eventually faced severe challenges: missed earnings, brushes with bankruptcy, a reverse stock split, and even an SEC investigation. The situation could have been far worse, as Stanford Financial Group, led by the infamous “mini-Madoff” R. Allen Stanford, nearly acquired the company, which was later plagued by an internal accounting scandal. Coincidentally, the real estate market saw Turbeville built and placed on the market almost concurrently with the Goldfields’ move-in in 2002, perfectly aligning with the dawn of what was, at the time, the most dynamic real estate market North Texas had ever witnessed. The estate demonstrated remarkable resilience, navigating the significant economic downturn of 2007 with little more than a “nicked ego” and a price adjustment. In 2012, it was successfully auctioned for sale by Concierge Auctions, a pivotal moment that reflected the shifting market dynamics. While the exact auction price is part of its history, what truly matters is how much the North Texas landscape has transformed since that time, setting the stage for the estate’s current unparalleled appeal.
The present chapter of 1851 Turbeville Road’s story began with Dallas broker extraordinaire Clay Stapp, who brought forth the current buyer—a proud family man, now known to be the Tahini family, with several beloved grandchildren. Joan Eleazer lovingly describes how this family acquired the home as a vacation retreat, a cherished sanctuary for their grandchildren, who have adored every moment spent within its magnificent confines. Evident signs of vibrant family life are everywhere: a collection of children’s swim goggles neatly arranged by the indoor master lap pool, and fluffy pool towels stacked on shelves, all testifying to an estate that has been thoroughly embraced for full family use. The grand theater has hosted enchanting ballet recitals, the ballroom has been alive with joyous parties, while the lower level echoes with the sounds of bowling nights and spirited racquetball competitions. Outdoors, tennis lessons on the private court, refreshing swims in the pool, and tranquil fishing in the nearby waters fill the days. Turbeville Road is truly akin to having a personal, five-star resort at one’s disposal, offering a unique blend of country living away from the maddening crowds, yet remarkably convenient, situated just 18 miles from D/FW Airport, providing both seclusion and accessibility in equal measure.
Regarding that country setting, life in Hickory Creek, Texas, has undergone a significant transformation. While it retains its charming village character, minutes from the serene Lake Dallas, where picturesque ranches still dot the landscape with horses and longhorn cattle, the area is rapidly evolving. Along Turbeville Road, new homes have sprouted like corn, some on land originally acquired from the Goldfields, signifying a clear shift in the regional demographic and development. As Joan and I discussed, the North Texas landscape just south of 1851 Turbeville Road today is profoundly different from the economy in which the estate was auctioned in 2012. Back then, ambitious projects like Frisco’s $5 Billion Mile or the $2 billion mixed-use developments at State Highway 121 and the Dallas North Tollway at Legacy were merely aspirational dreams in developers’ eyes. Today, those dreams are vibrant realities. Land prices are soaring, and homes in Plano are frequently becoming subjects of intense bidding wars, driven by unprecedented demand. A prime example of this explosive growth is Toyota’s decision to move its North American headquarters to Legacy, with its opening in 2017, cementing the region’s status as a major corporate hub.
A recent lunch with Sabine Gaedeke provided further insight into this regional boom. Her company, Gaedeke Group, is currently constructing two impressive 14-story office towers at the southeast corner of State Highway 121 and Legacy Drive, strategically positioned between the new offices of Toyota, FedEx Office, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. Sabine is visibly enthusiastic about the Legacy corridor and its immense growth potential, underscoring the fierce competition for land in North Texas, as widely reported:
She emphasized that her company specifically identified the Legacy West development as the ideal location for their ambitious projects.
“There are going to be a lot of people who want to do business with Toyota and the other firms up here,” Sabine stated. “All of a sudden this is a market that competes on a world stage.”
“We wanted to be part of this transformative growth.”
As other agents frequently affirm, the landscape of Dallas—or more accurately, North Texas—is vastly different from just three years ago. Billions of dollars in development are underway, stretching northward along the Dallas North Tollway, spilling westward towards I-35, and continuing its march towards Denton. “It used to be that you couldn’t get a drilling rig with the booming oil market; now, you cannot get a crane with this land rush,” Sabine Gaedeke vividly remarks, highlighting the unprecedented pace of construction and investment. This dynamic environment further elevates the strategic importance and investment potential of an estate like 1851 Turbeville Road. The Goldfields, with their original vision, were truly ahead of their time, and the current owners, the Tahini family, are now witnessing the remarkable realization of that foresight, as their treasured retreat stands amidst one of the nation’s most vibrant and rapidly expanding regions.