Bharat Nakra describes Town & Country as ‘top-notch,’ praising its houses, schools, security and accessibility to surrounding areas. These qualities are what attracted him and his wife, who moved to St. Louis for positions at Washington University in the late ’70s, to their home of 17 years on Sheffield Manor.
“We bought it from the builder, so it was move-in ready,” Nakra says. “We were the first owners, and it still feels brand-new because only my wife and I have lived here. Even our two sons have never stayed here full-time.” The couple loved the overall design of the more than 7,800-square-foot house, which includes the finished lower level with 10-foot ceilings. “That’s rare for a basement,” Nakra says. “You don’t feel like you’re in a lower level; you’re not cramped.” The spacious feel downstairs also can be attributed to a large family room with wet bar, game room, play room, theater, bedroom and two full baths. “The theater screen is one of the biggest I’ve seen, and it’s great for watching movies or having people over for football games,” Nakra says. “Everyone can just grab a drink from the bar right next to it.”
The couple took advantage of the home’s open spaces to entertain, and Nakra says it was not unusual for them to have up to 70 guests for parties. “The kitchen is big, and we spent a lot of time in the great room and the bedroom suite,” he says. “The master is so spacious and has its own sitting room and tons of natural light coming in, just like the rest of the house. And the master bathroom is probably one of the greatest rooms in the house!” With marble floors, it’s bigger than most of the sleeping areas, he says, and has a see-through fireplace that they used often in the winter months. “It has huge windows, so when you shower in the afternoon, it feels like you’re outdoors because of all the sunlight pouring in. You can just sit in the tub with sunblock on!”
Except for minor improvements like adding lighting, widening the driveway, installing a sprinkler system and putting a fountain out front, the Nakras have not needed to do anything other than maintain the custom-built home. “The house is very private,” Nakra says. “There are trees in the back, and the homes on either side are more than 200 yards away. And since there are so few homes in the subdivision, it’s safe for kids to play in the cul-de-sac.” Even in this intimate setting, the home is still close to grocery stores, restaurants, shopping, private schools and highways.
Now retired, the two have bought a condo in Clayton, and Nakra says they “just want to take it easy and relax!”
listing price | $1,349,000
listing agent | kim carney, the carney team of coldwell banker premier group
Photos: Steven B. Smith Photography