B&B For Sale

Historic Texas bed and breakfast with a cigar factory past goes on sale for $1.2 million

Editor's Note: Houston and the surrounding areas are loaded with must-have houses for sale in all shapes, sizes and price ranges. In this continuing series, CultureMap snoops through some of the best and gives you the lowdown on what's hot on the market.

A country-chic, top-rated bed and breakfast is up for sale in Round Top, with options for a buyer to continue to run it as a business or make it a family vacation compound — or a combination of both — all the while enjoying a relaxed lifestyle in this antique haven. Let's take a visit to the renowned Round Top Inn.

A Bit of History
In the 1880s, German immigrant Charles H. Schiege constructed three of the six buildings on the site, now known as 407 S. White St. Here, Schiege operated the Schiege Cigar Factory until the 1930s, distributing his popular hand-rolled cigars — including the Texas Star and LaRosa Suprema — across Texas. The cigar master provided housing for his employees, and factory workers ate their meals with the Schiege family.

The inn has honored that tradition of Texas hospitality for 20 years by serving guests a home-cooked breakfast each morning in the Cigar Factory.

After three generations of Schiege family members, preservationist Hazel Ledbetter of Houston purchased and restored the Main House in 1965, which was then owned by philanthropist Faith Bybee and the Texas Pioneer Arts Foundation. In 1991, Ted and Sandy Reed of Houston carefully refashioned all of the accommodations.

David Athey, a Houston native, bought and updated the entire property in 2008, bringing his vision of a luxury countryside inn to life, while also staying true to the site’s history.

Walk Around
The inn pairs modern amenities with rustic charm, offering guests a cozy stay in picturesque surroundings within walking distance of town square. Beautifully restored guest rooms and cottages are nestled among majestic oak trees and manicured grounds on this one-acre compound.

Built in 1885, the two-story Main House is the largest residence on the property, featuring two individual guest suites upstairs and living quarters for the former innkeeper downstairs. The Farm House is complete with a sprawling front porch and plenty of rocking chairs. An adorable two-story, salt-box-style abode, the Gate House offers two bedrooms, while the Little Cottage is a private retreat on its own with a king-sized bed and full bathroom with a Jacuzzi/shower.

Located over the Cigar Factory, the Bunk Room is a loft with a queen-sized bed, twin bed and a full private bathroom. Appointed with antiques, artwork and distinctive personal touches, no two rooms are alike.

A spacious Retreat Center is perfect for reunions, birthdays, luncheons or private parties. Facilities are connected by hand-laid rock sidewalks, and designated parking makes for easy access to all structures.

Square footage: Five residences and a retreat center on about one acre

Asking price: $1,225,000

Listing agent:Walter Bering, Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty

Round Top Inn offers five impeccably restored guestrooms and cottages that rest on the lush, manicured one-acre property, plus a versatile party space know as the Retreat Center.

On the Market Round Top Inn February 2014 White S 407 frt 05

Photo by © Ben Hill TK Images

Round Top Inn offers five impeccably restored guestrooms and cottages that rest on the lush, manicured one-acre property, plus a versatile party space know as the Retreat Center.

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rent affordability news

Houstonians need to make nearly $68,000 to afford rent in 2025

Photo courtesy of Dolce Midtown Apartments

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A new rental report from Zillow has revealed Houston renters need to make about 23 percent more money than they did five years ago in order to afford rent in 2025.

Zillow analysts examined the income needed to afford rent in 50 major U.S. metros, and determined rent prices in each city as of April 2025.

The average Houston renter needs to make $67,731 a year to afford living in the city, the report found. To afford rent for a single-family home, the income needed increases even further to $85,017.

Despite Houston's rising rent cost of living, it's still more affordable than many other cities. Nationally, the average income needed for someone to comfortably afford rent comes out to nearly $81,000. The study says that figure has increased nearly 35 percent since 2020.

"Housing costs have surged since pre-pandemic, with rents growing quite a bit faster than wages," said senior Zillow economist Orphe Divounguy. "This often leaves little room for other expenses, making it particularly difficult for those hoping to save for a down payment on a future home. High upfront costs are often overlooked, which can keep renters in their current homes."

Rent prices in Houston averaged $1,693 last month, which is less costly than the national average rent price of $2,024. Additionally, Houstonians are spending about 24 percent of their income on rent, while the typical American spends almost 30 percent of their income on rent.

Renters are also saving hundreds of dollars in comparison to those that own their homes, as a recent SmartAsset study discovered the median monthly housing costs for a Houston homeowner came out to $2,219.

At least we're not living on the East or West Coast, where eight U.S. metros require six-figure incomes to afford rent. Residents in San Jose, California need to make $136,532 a year to afford rent, the highest out of all 50 U.S. cities. Rent prices in San Jose came out to $3,413 in April.

Here's how much money renters need to afford living in other Texas metros, according to Zillow:

Dallas – $71,413
Austin – $68,840
San Antonio – $58,590

zillow housing report rent prices affordability houston