Fort Worth, Texas magazine's 2012 Dream Home, under construction at 3824 Riverhills View Drive, sits among 320 acres of virtually untouched Trinity River Valley land. Nearby are more than 50 acres of parkland, creeks and ponds and bike trails connecting to the river.
The home is being built by Powers & Curtis, the builders who constructed the 2011 Dream Home at 1704 Carleton Ave. near the historic River Crest Country Club. That house was infill, built to match the existing neighborhood.
Andrew Curtis and Chris Powers, the principals in the company, both said they were excited to be involved again.
"We met great people, great vendors, a great charity and many potential clients," Powers said. "We received a lot of feedback from all those who toured, which has really helped us learn what today's market sees as a "Dream Home." "
Powers and Curtis are betting on a changing marketplace that is calling for homes that, while still large, are a far cry from the giant houses of just a few years ago. This one is about 6,000 square feet of livable space with another 1,500 square feet under roof in the garage and outdoor areas.
"We learned a lot from last year about what the majority of people are looking for. What we learned is that people want a home that they can manage, not one that manages them," Powers said. "Show homes are great, but in many cases, they are just show homes. People love touring them, but realistically, they are only fun to look at and not realistic. Our strategy is to build a home that the masses can realistically see themselves living in or that they can take ideas from our home to implement into their residence."
Interior design on the house will be by Grandeur Design of Decatur.
"We wanted to be part of an innovative project for a worthy charity that brings together the highest caliber of partners," says Susan Semmelmann.
She and partner Brenda Blaylock think that they have found that with Fort Worth, Texas magazine and Powers and Curtis.
"What sets us apart in the industry, which directly impacts the client, is our extensive store inventory and our on-site manufacturing," says Blaylock. "Our staff is comprised of highly trained seamstresses, specialists in woodwork detailing and craftsmen in iron-work."
On-site manufacturing, she says, gives control over every phase of production.
The charity partner this year is the American Heart Association in Tarrant County. Executive Director Tammy McKinney says the organization is thrilled to be a participant.
"We hope to raise awareness of heart health risks and ways to prevent cardiovascular disease, as well as encourage Tarrant County residents to live healthier lifestyles," McKinney said. "We also hope to gain additional funds to continue live-saving research that affects people throughout North Texas."
Edwards Ranch is an excellent place to site a home, Curtis said.
"Like many of the lots in Riverhills, due to the topography of the neighborhood, it has great views from the second story," he said. "To capture some of the views, we filled the house with large windows and built a second-story covered patio - an incredible view to watch the sun rise and have a cup of coffee."
At one time, the Edwards property stretched from what is now 7th Street in Fort Worth along the Clear Fork of the Trinity toward the City of Benbrook. The company's Web site said that parcels of the land sold off over the years developed into Mistletoe Heights, Trinity Park, Colonial Country Club, the Fort Worth Zoo, Cityview and Hulen Mall.
Where: 3824 Riverhills View Drive
Benefiting: American Heart Association Tarrant County
Dates: Sept. 26 - Oct. 28
Times: Wednesday - Saturday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sundays, noon - 5 p.m.
Admission: $10