Château Des Grotteaux: Built in 1928 and bought by a future Dallas mayor, this French-style castle was doubled in size; 98 years later, it’s heading to auction after a $5.8M listing

After sitting on the market for nearly a year with no buyers, the 1928 French Norman mansion ‘Château des Grotteaux’ is heading for auction. Concierge Auctions will handle the sale, opening bidding on September 16 at around $2 million, according to CandysDirt. This is a significant drop from its initial asking price of almost $5.8 million. The auction of the Dallas property will close on September 29, followed by a live auction in Hong Kong on September 30.

Lakewood’s historic mansion to go under the hammer

Lakewood’s historic mansion Château des Grotteaux first hit the market in October 2025 for nearly $6 million. For months, the seven-bedroom estate at 6941 Gaston Avenue failed to gain traction. So, in February 2026, the listing agent reduced the asking price to $5.8 million and relisted the property. And still, there were no buyers.For a home valued by the Dallas Central Appraisal District at $4.3 million, there were no buyers. Local buyers weren’t enthusiastic about paying the asking price. And now, via the international auction platform, the property can reach buyers across continents who may see potential in what local buyers have passed by. That’s exactly why Concierge Auctions provides hope, as it specialises in luxury properties that defy conventional marketing. Château des Grotteaux is a one-of-a-kind estate with dramatic, castle-like architecture. It is the kind of unique property that fits this market.

The former dwellers of the mansion

Ellen and George Smith are the current owners of the fairy-tale mansion. They purchased the property in July 2020 after the previous owner, Michael Fahey, spent years restoring the grounds. Fahey bought the castle in 2005. After that, he invested a lot in resurrecting the landscape, including the famous secret garden and water features that had fallen into disrepair.The current owners, the Smiths, approached the property differently. They focused on making the house functional for modern living. Fairy-tale castles may be best for fantasy, but that does not necessarily mean they are good to live in. So, they doubled its square footage, adding a primary suite, a completely reimagined kitchen and open-plan living areas. They also added a basement wine room and bar, along with a new garage tucked to the right side of the home. Along with that, they added twin turrets to the existing structure, which enhanced the castle-like aesthetic rather than attempting to restore the French Norman design. The renovations helped make it a modern castle. The exterior also looks different from its original structure.The mansion was originally built by Texas oilman and developer Edwin Cox Sr. Château des Grotteaux translates to ‘House of Caves’. The house was named as a reference to a tunnel that reportedly ran from the property’s southern corner to White Rock Lake. According to local legend, during Prohibition, the passage served as a liquor-smuggling route. The City of Dallas eventually sealed the tunnel, making the legend more mystique than accessible history.In 1929, R.L. Thornton, the businessman and four-term mayor who served as president of the Dallas Chamber of Commerce, purchased the home. He completed the construction and also designed its grounds. For decades, Thornton’s tenure gave the home a Dallas identity.The major challenge for potential buyers isn’t cost alone, but also its architectural coherence. When a historic home is renovated, architects often have a preservation-minded approach. So, the new additions should match the home’s original style rather than look completely different. But the Smith family’s expansion followed a different strategy. They focused on interior functionality and an exterior suited to the fairy-tale fantasy, rather than historical continuity. This means it suited buyers who love the castle look and can afford it without being concerned about its history. Those buyers exist, but they’re uncommon enough that eleven months on the market produced none.Concierge Auctions will hold a live auction in Hong Kong, hoping that overseas wealth may prove more receptive than the Dallas market. Wealthy international buyers sometimes prize uniqueness over local architectural precedent. So, the fantasy castle may really appeal to them.