The Pemberton House

"Hey George, I'm moving to Los Angeles, want to take over the lease at our Treehouse, in a private drive, in the Pemberton neighborhood?"

This ballpark quote is how the conversation started, when my college ex-lacrosse club teammate and former dorm friend called me one afternoon. At the time, I was a ripe 23 years old, and a fresh university graduate. I had just begun my working career in Austin, Texas and Residential Real Estate.

The Pemberton home was perhaps the coolest, most private, unique, party-filled, secluded estate, prime location and storied place, I will have ever continually slept.

In this case, actual pictures would help immensely, but since neither myself nor my former roommates have called it home for over 10 years, we don't have the pictures to prove it. Plus this storied, fond structure was entirely demolished decades ago.

The Boxy, rectangular, 2 story home was a special one. The home was technically on a private drive, cul de sac, with zero through traffic. Our former rental house had superior central urban proximity. It was a quick cab to the lively Downtown buildings, and walking distance to West Campus.

Our particular home was very special, perfectly odd and unique. The grounds could compare well to a forest atmosphere. There were shrubby slender trees surrounding us. Our 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home with roughly 2000 square feet, had a brown wooden exterior and naturally blended-in with the partly spooky environment. There was a lengthy stone walkway upwards on the property, towards our home's entryway. The artsy home was engulfed with full length glassy, clear windows. There was orange shag carpet. The very open, massive living room and secluded kitchen were located downstairs. The only way to make it upstairs to the master bedroom, balcony, and 2 other bedrooms was a SPIRAL staircase. The home had the style of 1970's funk music, coupled with forest privacy, infused with early 20 something inhabitant fun, cool, and vigor..

I immediately, told my friend, yes! We'll take it, and I shall personally go find two other roommates quick. In less than 2 weeks, I handpicked 2 of my best male friends for the remaining 2 bedrooms in the floorplan line-up.

The master bedroom was the largest, with its own balcony access and wider size. The Master bedroom's best feature was of an engraved sculpture within the bathroom shower walls. The sculpture showcased a naked female artsy figure. The wooden, glass house had engraved, intrinsic art within the walls, for goodness sake. The previous owner was a talented ARTIST.

So what do 3 straight, single, early 20 something men do with a 3/2, 2000 sq. ft. forest, Movie Scene worthy home all to themselves on a private drive in the middle of a bustling city? We partied it up! Did I mention the neighbor had a full sized, well lit pool, adjacent to ours? Also, this rich neighbor with the pool was NEVER there or home. In the entire time, we lived there, we never met the man once. Not once. Did we sporadically take guests swimming and skinny dipping during late night after parties in the pool? Maybe, we gloriously did?

This hidden gem house was fantastic! It was located on perhaps a 1/2 acre of land. Recently, 10 years later, while I was attending a Dallas house party, a female friend and guest asked me to re-tell stories of the parties and memories from the Pemberton home. The place was that epic, that tales of the adventures and fun, have lived on for 10 years plus. And even traveled up the interstate highway. Impressive eh?

In general, girls, boys, and the entire sample spectrum of people loved our random, well attended, night time keg parties in the forest, under the Christmas lights. It was an era of post-college living, early professional, pseudo adult living at its pinnacle. Everybody always had a great time!

During my residential tenure at this particular home, there were 2 girls that were genuinely in love with me and vying for my attention. What a dilemma, huh?. I personally couldn't decide which girl to choose and date? Whom would be the better girlfriend? One was an all around cute blonde, with girl next door qualities. The other was a beautiful, saucy young girl, and hipster curvy babe with tattoos. In addition, she had trendy, upcoming fashion sense and stellar music style. She also possessed "Wizard of Oz" mesmerizing emerald green eyes. They were both wonderful girls. It was a tough choice. I'm not even going to tell you which one I ended up picking. It doesn't really matter, because they were BOTH Fantastic. All men, dream of these dire, heavy female attention life problems. When 2 overly pretty and qualified girls are vying for your heart, life is okay.

Moving on, so George, how long did this Utopia, "Pemberton" residence living situation last? All in all, I think it was either 1 year or 2. Time has a way of making things fuzzy.

Eventually the new builder and owner for the land, decided to kick all 3 of his tenants out. Imagine that? Next up, the owner would demolish the aging, energy guzzling, character riddled home, and build a brand new Mega million dollar X 2 plus mansion.

Will I personally ever live on a private drive again in the heart of the city? Time will tell. It sure was amazing. I'd, give it a go again.