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.
Listed as the most expensive property for sale in The Woodlands and the entire Houston area right now at $16.8 million, this extravagant French Renaissance estate on the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course boasts 11 bedrooms, a full movie theater, swimming pool with fountain and more luxuries behind huge gated driveways.
Walk through
Located at 88 Grand Regency Circle in the prestigious Carlton Woods neighborhood, the 30,717-square-foot mansion sits on 4.2-acre lot surrounded by landscaped grounds and is accessible through four controlled gates that lead to the circular driveway in front. The grand entry with two-story-tall ceilings and surrounding columns welcome homeowners to a full bar.
From the foyer is the living room with French doors that open to the pool and multiple patios, while the formal living room features a tray ceiling and ornate fireplace. The formal dining room with large windows takes in views of the front four-tier custom water fountain. The library, Tuscan-style sunken wine room with special seating for tastings and huge gourmet kitchen with additional catering kitchen are also on the first floor, as is a family room and breakfast nook overlooking the swimming pool.
The manse includes two master suites, with the grand master suite at more than 3,500 square feet including a private sitting area with fireplace.
The manse includes two master suites, with the grand master suite at more than 3,500 square feet including a private sitting area with fireplace. The royal master bath has a marble Jacuzzi tub, crystal chandelier, separate showers, vanities and dressing areas. More amenities in the grand master suite are dual walk-in closets and a seasonal closet, as well as a separate luggage closet. Located off the master bath is an exercise/spa that features a shampoo salon.
Eight of the 11 bedrooms are themed suites, each with master-sized bathrooms. For example, the "Scarlet" bedroom suite is bedecked in furniture, headboard and accent pieces in crimson silks and velvets with gold trim as a tribute to the Gone with the Wind star. A third-floor bedroom serves as a VIP guest quarters and is called the "Frankie Avalon." The bathroom here contains a fully tiled steam room. The "Hawaiian Suite" has two separate closets with a dressing table. The bath is decorated with dolphin-inspired faucets and bath fixtures.
Game rooms, a gentlemen's room with ceiling replicated from a luxury yacht, soda fountain bar with jukebox and dance floor and home theater with planetarium ceiling are just a few more of the mansion's highlights, all connected by oversized gallery hallways. Two grand marble spiral staircases take homeowners and guests to the three stories, as do three elevators. And there's a private balcony for practically every room in the house. In fact, balconies, covered terraces and loggias comprise more than 7,000 square feet of outdoor living areas.
Step outside
A separate pool house sits at one end of the swimming pool. Several covered and furnished patios with fireplaces and outdoor kitchens are situated on the grounds around the pool. Two private apartments are also located on the property. The six-car garage is attached to the home and extends to offer more than 20,000 square feet of driveway to accommodate dozens of cars.
Square footage: 30,717
Asking price: $16.8 million
Listing agent: Arlene English, Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty
Large windows in the formal dining room afford views of the front fountain.
