Homey feel, amazing features, room to entertain in exclusive gated community

Words like amazing, spectacular, luxurious and exquisite abound in descriptions of this 24-room, 11,600-plus-square-foot home just off Old Mount Tabor Road in Lexington. But even those adjectives really don’t do it justice, says Vickie Bell, who owns the home with her husband Wendell.

“The spaciousness of it; the conveniences; the craftsmanship; the efficient use of space; the beauty. You really have to see it to fully appreciate it,” she said. “To be honest, it kind of reminds me of a small Italian villa or mansion. Everyone who sees it says, ‘I didn’t know there was anything like this in Lexington.’”

Located in a secluded, gated community at 2947 Four Pines Drive, this Greek Revival home has nine bedrooms, 11 1/2 baths, two master suites, a huge family room, sun room, formal dining room, spacious modern kitchen with myriad appliances, two offices, three fireplaces, a home theater, heated outdoor pool, tons of storage space and an attached three-car garage. The large, fully finished basement has three floors above it, but stairs are no problem because the house has its own elevator. Topping everything off is a stately circular driveway out front.

While the list of features is impressive, what’s inside the home is truly stunning. Stepping into the foyer, you’re greeted by sparkling marble floors, large open spaces, beautiful window treatments and richly detailed, meticulously painted trim moldings to please the eye and one’s sense of style. “The moldings are all hand-made and hand-painted with gold leaf, in the foyer, in the living room and in the formal dining room,” Vickie said. “The family room is trimmed in mahogany; the sunroom overlooks the backyard and pool. You’d almost have to go back to the Italian renaissance or something to describe this quality and space. The entire house is like that. People are just speechless the first time they see it.”

Wendell and Vickie bought the property about six years ago when they moved to Lexington from Northern Kentucky. It once was the home of the late Lexington businessman and philanthropist James L. “Jim” Rose, who also was the main mover in the development of the entire Four Pines community.

Vickie said the home’s huge spaces and many features were a big part of their decision to buy it. “My elderly mother came with us when we moved from Northern Kentucky, and there was so much space we could give her the entire third floor,” she said, “The elevator allowed her to live up there, because she could not go up and down stairs. And since Four Pines is a gated community, I never worried about leaving her alone if we went out because it is a very safe place.”

Over the past year or so, Wendell and Vickie have made several improvements, including repainting the exterior, installing new outside lighting, replacing the sprinkler system, installing new pumps for the pool; and redoing the landscaping. “Everybody in the complex complimented us on it,” Vickie says.

They recently decided the time was right to put the home on the market because they’re downsizing. “Condo living just seems like the way for us to go now, being able to come and go without having to worry about so many things,” she said. “We recently bought a condo in Lexington that we are remodeling and we have a place in Florida.” They will divide their time between the two locations, she said.

Being enthusiastic sports fans – both played high school sports and Wendell played some college basketball – they have become major University of Kentucky athletics boosters, concentrating on supporting the secondary sports teams. UK’s Wendell & Vickie Bell Soccer Complex is named for them. Their home’s ability to comfortably handle lots of guests has been perfect for their needs, Vickie says.

“We’ve had all kinds of coaches, students and athletes over here: women’s soccer, men’s soccer, volley ball, rifle, gymnastics, We’ve also had church groups, Bible study groups, businessmen’s groups. There was room for everybody and the house just makes people feel warm and comfortable. I don’t think anybody who has been here felt out of place or that it was too much for them.”

Indeed, the house has been like a second home for some. “I had a young lady from the UK rifle team live here for two years and look after things while she worked on her master’s. We didn’t charge her anything – we’ve never charged anybody for staying here – and I told her to put the money toward her college loan instead. Now she’s coaching and working on her doctorate.”

Vickie and Wendell have owned several homes, including some they built themselves, but Vickie says this one is her favorite. “Everything in this house is just done so well. There’s no wasted space, everything is so carefully thought out. It’s both beautiful and practical.”

She particularly praises the vast kitchen and pantry as “the best I’ve ever had.” She notes that there are four ovens “so you can cook your whole dinner at the same time.” There are two refrigerators, two freezers, a food warmer, a cabinet ice-maker, huge storage spaces and “spectacular” lighting, she says. The breakfast area, overlooked by a bay window, has seating for six or more, and the formal dining room seats 12, she said.

Vickie also notes that many rooms easily could be converted for other uses, depending on a new owner’s needs. For example, her first floor office – located just off a bathroom with marble floors and shower – could easily become an extra bedroom, said. While she and Wendell never used the home theater in the basement, all the electronic hookups remain in place so it easily could become a theater again if desired.

“I think the home would appeal to, say, someone new at the university. A physician or head of a college, maybe a banker or some other professional. I’d really love to see a large family with a lot of kids move in. With all the space for a family to grow, the house would be wonderful for children. I would love to have had a house like this one when my own kids were young and still at home.”

This story was originally published November 13, 2020 at 1:24 PM with the headline "Homey feel, amazing features, room to entertain in exclusive gated community."