There’s a lot of history behind the Paigebrooke house in Westlake. Built in 1938 by iconic Dallas architect Charles Dilbeck, the 11,500-square-foot house was originally constructed for Ted Dealey, the son of “Dallas Morning News” publisher and founder George Dealey for whom the Dealey Plaza was named after. But after Ted passed away in 1969, the house was left vacant for eight years.
Enter Scott and Kelly Bradley. In 1977, the couple moved from Dallas to Westlake to embrace the countryside living for which the area was known. Upon seeing the historic qualities of the Dealey house, they instantly fell in love and knew they had to have it.
“Charles Dilbeck built this to represent his Texas ranch house,” Scott says. “His designs are very eclectic and romantic, but they’re all distinctive. If you’ve ever lived in one Dilbeck, you’ll recognize another one even if it’s in a different style.”
Retrofitted back to its original grandeur with large windows, brick chimneys and even a bell tower, the Dealey home is as spacious as it is welcoming, with six bedrooms, seven bathrooms, a study, a wine cellar, a library, a lodge and a guest house all connected by one sprawling hallway. The home is also filled with several of Dilbeck’s trademark secret rooms.
“This is what we call our ‘Harry Potter’ room,” Kelly remarks as she opens a hidden door underneath the basement staircase. “This house is filled with hidden doors and rooms. Dilbeck was quirky like that.”
Scott and Kelly made the Dealey house their home for 20 years. During that time, Kelly founded the nonprofit Metroport Meals On Wheels, cooking meals out of their home and delivering them to senior citizens around the area. Although she’s no longer executive director (that position is now held by Mary King), Kelly still finds enterprising ways to give back to the organization she loves.
“It is my honor to still serve on the advisory board,” Kelly remarks. “My husband and I continue to deliver meals to those in need in one of the three Grapevine routes.”
At the same time, Scott began serving as the chair of the planning and zoning commission for Westlake and as the president of the Texas Student Housing Authority, awarding over 2,700 scholarships in the past 25 years. Then after 15 years of service to his community, Scott was elected Westlake’s mayor and remained in that position for the next 14 years.
In 1998, the Bradleys sold some of their land to Fidelity Investments for a regional complex. While the business was good for the city, this put their house in the path for demolition. The Bradleys were left with two choices – say goodbye to the Dealey house forever or move it to another property. They chose to preserve their house by carefully removing the house in six different pieces, wrapping it, transporting it 2 miles up the road and meticulously putting it back together on a 12.5-acre farm – all while living out of a trailer.
Naming their new property “Paigebrooke” after their two daughters, Scott and Kelly stuck so closely to Dilbeck’s original blueprint they even reused the salvaged bricks that made up the original foundation of the house.
“[Dealey’s] wife Pat told us that this was his favorite home,” Scott says. “We feel like we’re stewards of this property – we’re responsible for it.”
Today, the home still stands strong, regularly hosting guests and events inside and out on its beautiful courtyard and pasture. Locals will get the chance to experience the property in person this month when the Bradleys host the Party On The Peninsula event on March 26. Featuring live performances from King George, Justin Mason and Tennessee Whiskey, the event will directly benefit Metroport Meals On Wheels’ mission to feed senior citizens around the area.
Whether they’re awarding scholarships to Westlake Academy students or hosting a fundraiser at their estate, Scott and Kelly love serving Westlake in all manner of ways. And after a busy day, they love to unwind and settle into their lovely Paigebrooke house.
“Dilbeck often said that he wanted his houses to feel like a stranger was welcome,” Scott says. “Just come on in, put your feet up and make yourself at home. This house makes you feel that way every time you walk in.”