It’s all about family and friends at this 8.34-acre estate in Flower Mound, Texas.
The nearly 15,000-square-foot mansion had been listed in May for $11.9 million, but will soon hit the auction block without reserve. Offered by Elite Auctions, bidding on the eight-bedroom, nine-bathroom home will take place on July 21.
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Completed in 2008, the home has a "country French" style, owner Dickie Hunter said. The CEO of HighMark Energy, an Irving, Texas-based oil-and-gas company, Mr. Hunter finds the estate "a haven from the hustle and bustle of urban life."
It’s also a meeting place for friends and family, he said. Three years ago, the Hunters added guest quarters, plus a banquet hall with vaulted ceilings and a chef’s kitchen.
"It seats 28," Mr. Hunter said, adding that it’s not unusual for the couple to host that many or more guests around the holidays.
"When people come here, I can’t get them to go home," he said.
And there’s plenty of space for guests to spread out. There are six reception rooms, including a smaller dining room and double-height living room. The formal entryway boasts a spiral staircase, and there’s also a wet bar with a veranda, a wine cellar and a tasting room, according to the listing. Marble flooring, cathedral ceilings, exposed beams and custom fireplaces can be found throughout the home.
"It’s very formal in certain areas, but very casual in others," Mr. Hunter said.
The more casual spaces include the two-story wood-paneled library and another, smaller spot that Mr. Hunter called the map room. A world map takes up an entire wall, and it’s there he stores his collection of chess sets and other mementos from the couple’s extensive travels.
In the main kitchen, there are commercial-grade appliances, including a gas range and two ovens. There are granite countertops and an island as well.
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The master suite has a sitting area, large windows, wood detailing, a fireplace and a chandelier. The bathroom features a soaking tub, two vanities, multiple closets and a dressing area.
Outside, there’s a spa and infinity pool, a firepit and a kitchen, plus a pond with a water mill. The home is located in the gated community of Chateau Du Lac, which is walking distance to Grapevine Lake, according to the listing. There’s a 10-car garage, and it’s about a 10-minute drive to the airport and 25 minutes from downtown Dallas.
Mr. Hunter said he and his wife built the home intending "to live out our lives there." But with two grandchildren in Houston, and another on the way, Mrs. Hunter decided it was time to pull up stakes and move closer to the youngest members of the family.