Photo courtesy of “Reminiscences: A Glimpse of Old East Dallas”
You’ve heard the news by now — Chateau des Grotteaux at 6941 Gaston Ave. is going to auction Sept. 17-29, with live, in-person bidding Sept. 30 in Hong Kong.
The nearly 100-year-old castle, situated on almost one acre, has been on the market for about a year and was last listed for $5.8 million. The bids are expected to start between $2 million and $3 million. (Click here if you’re interested in making a bid.)
The house is about 7,777 square feet and has six bedrooms, four full bathrooms and two half bathrooms.
“Original custom iron gates open onto the historic Chateau built in 1927 as the home of (former Dallas mayor) R. L. Thornton, reimagined for modern living while preserving stone walkways, a moat, sculptures, multiple water features, archways and private sitting areas above and below ground,” according to the auction website. “The residence, doubled in size, now spans across four floors, including a castle turret large enough for a small gathering to take in sweeping views and sunset cocktails. Extensive living quarters including two offices, two family rooms and two dining areas anchor the home, complemented by a basement wine room and open bar. A second set of original iron gates offers private alley access for owners and guests.”
As you can imagine, Chateau des Grotteaux has undergone changes over the years, has gone on and off the market, and the Lakewood/East Dallas Advocate has written about the property more than once. Take a trip with us down memory lane and remember our previous stories on this historic home:
1993: Excerpts from “A castle in Lakewood: R.L. Thornton’s ‘Chateau Des Grotteaux’” by Advocate staff
When R. L. Thornton Sr. first saw the stately “Chateau Des Greotteaux” featured in the 1929 State Fair of Texas souvenir program, he wasted no time purchasing the property, located at the corner of Gaston and Westshore.
Designed after a castle (chateau) in Normandy, France, and nestled among 1.5-acres of lush foliage, vibrant gardens, flagstone walkways, bridges, fish ponds and small caves (grottoes), the multi-level, turreted, stucco and stone house reflects the style and grace of 18th century European architecture.
“Dad bought the house before it was completed,” said Rosemary Brinegar, a daughter of the former Dallas mayor and freeway namesake. “We had four bedrooms, two down and two up, three baths, a sitting room, living room and formal dining room. There was … an elevator in the house.”
The Thorntons sold the home in 1974.
The home, which is currently listed for sale at $849,000 by Jim Reinhardt of Ebby Halliday, has since been remodeled to include five bedrooms and four bathrooms in its 4,164-square-feet of living area in the main house, Reinhardt said.
Thornton commissioned Dallas’ only landscape architect, Paul F. Scheibe, to landscape the home. Trained in England, Scheibe cleared 75 trees to create a setting complementing the home’s elegant architecture.
“Since the house sits so low,” Brinegar said, “you would think there would have been drainage problems, but we never had any. The landscaping may have had something to do with that. … My mother loved flowers. The gardens were terraced, and she had the entire first level full of tulips. … There was a stable where we kept two horses. My mother and sister used to ride around White Rock Lake each morning. (Today) there’s a greenhouse where the stable used to be.”
(Editor’s note: The two-horse stable remains on the property, but a greenhouse has been constructed where the paddock once was located.)
“There was also a pool on the property,” Brinegar said. “It was the second one in Dallas. It took two days to drain and two days to fill – all by water hoses.”
Two sets of gates were located on the grounds. During World War II, the Westshore gates reportedly were donated for scrap metal.
During the interview, Brinegar recalled a lifestyle involving garden parties, annual Easter egg hunts and traditional Christmas Eves with family.
“It was a happy home, I’ll say that, and I hope it always will be.”
Image courtesy of Dave Perry-Miller
2018: Excerpts from “This Lakewood castle is on the market and may contain a secret tunnel” by Will Maddox
The Chateau Des Grotteaux, one of our neighborhood’s most iconic properties, is now up for sale. The average passer-by can see its slate roof and turrets, but beautiful grounds are hidden behind the stone walls.
A saltwater pool, concrete statues, ponds, flagstone walkways, bridges and outdoor seating populate the property, much of which was updated by the current owner.
Preservation Dallas Events and Development Coordinator Donovan Westover wrote in Candy’s Dirt that there was once a cave (now sealed behind a fountain) that ran to White Rock Lake and was rumored to be used to smuggle liquor during prohibition.
Westover wrote that “the house is ripe for visionary interior updates,” and it appears to have some intricate wall paper and what looks like a real stuffed giraffe head in the home today. The home at 6941 Gaston Ave. can be yours for a cool $2.89 million.
Image courtesy of Dave Perry-Miller
2019: Excerpts from “Iconic neighborhood chateau is back on the market with improved price” by Claire Crow
One of Lakewood’s most historic and mysterious properties, the Chateau des Grotteaux, is up for sale again.
It is listed by DeCarla Anderson of Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate for $1.89 million. For sale last year for $2.89 million, Anderson said the agency took the property off the market prior to the holiday season but re-listed it this year with an improved price.
The history of the Chateaux des Grotteaux runs deep. Texas builder Edwin Cox Sr. began its construction before selling the 1-acre property to R.L. Thornton after the 1929 stock market crash. From there, Thornton turned the castle into his family home and coined the property’s gothic-elegant name, Chateaux des Grotteaux, or “House of Caves.”
“When you drive by this ‘mysterious’ house, it’s natural to wonder what life is like at Chateau des Grotteaux,” Anderson said. “Actually, I’m pleased to report Lakewood’s famous ‘castle’ is every bit as fascinating as you’d expect a 1929 castle to be. Its history is rich, the grounds are impeccable, the privacy is unrivaled, and the potential for customization is unlimited. Anyone who values those four things will want to take a look.”
The current owner has gradually updated the grounds since 2005. The owner has added a privacy wall, sprinkler system, mosquito-misting system, a new tile roof, oxidized copper gutters, turret covers, pool resurfacing and numerous statues, sculptures, bridges and ponds. Several sitting areas, including a one-of-a-kind “secret garden,” were also created, Anderson said.
The attention to detail is evident not just in the grand features like the turret covers and statues, but also in the more subtle elements — the whisper of water flowing beneath a bridge, the secluded tranquility of the secret garden, and the seamless integration of natural and architectural elements that make the grounds feel like an extension of a timeless sanctuary.
Among these crucial updates, the new tile roof stands as one of the most essential improvements, safeguarding the estate against the elements while enhancing its overall appeal.
The careful preservation of Chateau des Grotteaux’s exterior showcases the importance of maintaining key structural elements like roofing and gutter systems to protect a property’s longevity. While the oxidized copper gutters enhance the castle’s aesthetic charm, their functional role is equally vital in preventing water damage and preserving the home’s historical integrity.
However, the owner has yet to touch the interior of the castle, leaving the past even more present on the inside.
“There are so many structural and design decisions he could have made prior to listing,” Anderson said, “but he realizes those decisions will be intensely personal and better left to the next owner. So aside from the doors and windows that were replaced in 2017, essentially he is leaving the interior of the home untouched.”
Image courtesy of Dave Perry-Miller
2020: Excerpts from “Chateau des Grotteaux in Lakewood has sold” by Margaret O’Rourke
The French-inspired property Chateau des Grotteaux on Gaston Avenue has sold.
The previous owner, Michael Fahey, purchased the home in 2005. After 13 years, he put it on the market in 2018.
The new owners, Mike and Ellen Smith, lost their home of more than 20 years in a fire in 2019, Compass agent DeCarla Anderson said. They plan to restore and occupy the historic home.
The price of the sale was not disclosed.
