Back in 1999, Len Roberts bought a sprawling hilltop property in the Texas city of Fort Worth. The former RadioShack CEO and his wife Laurie then spent five years and millions of dollars custom building a traditional French-style mansion in the desirable Tanglewood neighborhood, on nearly 2 acres overlooking the downtown skyline and TCU football stadium.
Now the couple is downsizing into another home that’s currently undergoing an extensive remodel. So, after first listing their Fort Worth spread for a speck under $9 million in early March, they’re auctioning off the place with a starting bid of $2.5 million — a fraction of its $20 million replacement value as appraised by insurance firm AIG, not to mention the Roberts’ $12 million overall investment in the property.
Completed in 2004 and designed by architect Dan Wheaton, the gated limestone-clad structure has five bedrooms and 10 baths spread across nearly 12,000 square feet of three-level living space adorned throughout with Versailles-patterned floors, crystal chandeliers, custom moldings, Venetian columns and hand-carved fireplaces, plus modern amenities like an elevator, and Crestron and Lutron systems. There’s also an additional 4,000 square feet of unfinished storage space.
Towering iron front doors open into a grand foyer displaying a spiral staircase. From there, a spacious formal living room boasts a 28-foot ceiling, an imported marble fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows. There’s also a wet bar and formal dining room, as well as a family room that connects to a gourmet kitchen outfitted with bespoke Reznikoff cabinetry, granite countertops, top-tier appliances and a walk-in pantry.
Occupying an entire wing is the master retreat, which comes complete with a bedroom featuring a marble fireplace, sitting area, wet bar and private patio, along with dual walk-in closets and luxe baths; and elsewhere is a walnut-paneled study with a coffered ceiling, 12-seat movie theater bathed in crimson, and gym with sauna and steam room. Outdoors, the manicured grounds are laced with terraced limestone stairs and slate stepping-stones, and host a heated pool flanked by an open-air cabana. Two separate garages also can accommodate up to five vehicles.
Bidding in the auction is scheduled to take place April 24 via Interluxe.
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Image Credit: Interluxe Auctions -
Image Credit: Interluxe Auctions -
Image Credit: Interluxe Auctions -
Image Credit: Interluxe Auctions -
Image Credit: Interluxe Auctions -
Image Credit: Interluxe Auctions -
Image Credit: Interluxe Auctions -
Image Credit: Interluxe Auctions -
Image Credit: Interluxe Auctions -
Image Credit: Interluxe Auctions -
Image Credit: Interluxe Auctions -
Image Credit: Interluxe Auctions -
Image Credit: Interluxe Auctions -
Image Credit: Interluxe Auctions