Crazy Penthouse Perks

This $1.5 million River Oaks penthouse comes with its own knight in shining armor

Editor's Note: Houston, the surrounding areas and beyond 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 knight in shining armor keeps guard at the entrance of a palatial River Oaks loft-style penthouse that's now on sale for $1.5 million.

Walk through

Located on the top floor of Renoir Lofts at 1005 S. Shepherd Drive, corner unit 814 is one of the largest residences in the 19th century Europe-inspired building and affords panoramic views of Houston. Highlights include floor-to-ceiling windows in the two-story great room and an open floor plan perfect for entertaining. Marble flooring extends throughout the first floor.

It is one of the largest residences in the 19th century Europe-inspired building and affords panoramic views of Houston.

Two enormous chandeliers hanging from the 20-foot-tall ceilings are included in the purchase, as are the custom remote sunshade blinds. Artwork by abstract expressionist Nicole Gavin, installed for a recent open house, is also available for sale.

At one end of the great room is the dining area, with the living room/den in the middle and kitchen at the far end. The cooking hub is spacious and features top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances. A kitchen island with bar stools offers more seating. A second bedroom with full bath is located on the first floor.

Upstairs homeowners will find a large loft study/office. The master bedroom boasts painted wood floors and lots of natural light through arched windows. The master bath is complete with dual vessel sinks, plenty of cabinet space, large tub and oversized corner shower.

Step outside
Unit 814 comes with two premium parking spaces right at the garage entrance and two storage units. Maintenance fees, not based on square footage per unit, are $650 monthly. River Oaks Shopping Center is nearby, as is downtown Houston.

Square footage: 3,468

Asking price: $1,499,000

Listing agent: Kristin Shawn McGill, Keller Williams Realty Metropolitan

The study office loft located at the top of the stairs.

7 On the Market 1005 S. Shepherd Dr. No. 814 penthouse May 2014

Photo by © Mike Wilcox

The study office loft located at the top of the stairs.

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a sweeter future

City of Sugar Land acquires historic 'Char House' for new development

Photo provided by City of Sugar Land

The Char House is one of the most iconic buildings in Southwest Houston

The Imperial Sugar refinery complex has been gently rotting in the heart of Sugar Land, but a formal purchase of the land and building by the city government promises a chance at new life for the historic building.

Built around 1869, the complex was once a state-of-the-art facility that refined sugar and produced molasses. The City of Sugar Land was named for the company, and the company's crown logo is part of the city's official seal. Thousands of workers manned the lines while Houston schoolchildren toured the floor of the factory until it shut its doors in 2002. Now, the only sugar in Sugar Land is found on grocery store shelves, where the Imperial brand is still sold today.

The City of Sugar Land announced on Wednesday that it had finally completed the official purchase of the 40 acres that the refinery stands on, the first time the city has owned it. Previous plans to develop the property haven't come together.

“Redeveloping the Imperial Historic District has been a longstanding priority for both the City Council and our residents,” Mayor Carol McCutcheon said in a statement. “We’re proud to now be in the driver’s seat — ready to preserve our namesake and create the kind of destination the Sugar Land community deserves. With this project, we hope to create a place that past and future generations are proud of for many years to come.”

The $50 million land purchase and renovation plan includes the iconic Char House. The tall, red brick building looms over Sugar Land and is an iconic structure in Fort Bend County. The name comes from the charring process of adding burnt and powdered animal bones to the refining process. The building, completed in 1925, had to be tall as using gravity to filter the liquid sugar as it left the storage tanks on the eighth floor to the bottom.

The City of Sugar Land is in the process of seeking a private development partner to repurpose and renovate the land and buildings. That process should be completed by first quarter of 2026. In the meantime, the sale will be finalized over the coming months, and the city will begin the process of maintenance to prevent further deterioration. Though it is still some ways in the future, it's possible generations of school children will once again have a chance to visit the industrial genesis of Sugar Land.

sugar land