The Ultimate Lake House

The ultimate lake house: This $5.3 million mansion seems to float on water, includes its own bridge

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.

Have your lake and Round Top, too, in this contemporary, three-story glass house sitting over a stocked lake and surrounded by almost 24 acres of rolling, wooded countryside just minutes from the popular antique and music destination.

Walk through
Located off FM 954, the luxury retreat centers around the lake with views in every direction. Almost seeming to float on the water, the house rests on pilings, allowing it to stand over the lake.

Owners cross a bridge to enter, walking into the first floor where a large, open living area is ideal for relaxation and entertaining. The kitchen comes with state-of-the-art appliances and serves as a natural gathering place with its expansion island and bar stool seating. Off the first floor is a deck with outdoor kitchen and an adjacent docking area for watercrafts.

The spiral staircase takes owners to the second floor, which now serves as an additional open living area with 360-degree vistas of the lake and property. The space could easily be used as a bedroom, as it is complete with a full bathroom. The entire third level is dedicated as the master suite with comfortable sitting area, spacious bedroom, modern full bath — and "penthouse" views.

Step outside
Just over the bridge is an oversized garage outfitted with two car lifts. A large patio and covered skeet shooting house deck are located to the side of the house, where a waterfall with swimming pool at the top calls for a cooling dip.

The country haven also includes an outdoor fireplace, separate guest accommodations and three RV stations with water, electric and septic connections. High-game fencing surrounds the property, keeping 220 Class Whitetail deer around for the owners' pleasure.

This listing includes the furnishings, appliances, decor, skeet shooting equipment and utility vehicle.

Square footage: 2,700 on 23.8 acres

Asking price: $5.3 million

Listing agent: Renee Diehl, Round Top Land

Everywhere you turn, you'll take in sites of the country surroundings.

10 On the Market luxury lake property Round Top June 2014.

Photo courtesy of © TK Images

Everywhere you turn, you'll take in sites of the country surroundings.

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Stay trill, owls

Bun B serves up smash hit smash burgers at Houston's Rice University

Photo by Quit Nguyen

Bun B is bringing Trill Burgers to Rice University.

Faculty, students, and staff at Rice University will have a fresh new dining option when classes resume for the fall semester. Trill Burgers will open its fourth Houston-area location on campus beginning Monday, August 17.

Located at the Rice Memorial Center, the new Trill Burgers will serve the restaurant’s signature smash burgers, which are available in either beef or vegan versions. That starts with the OG Trill Burger, made with two smashed beef patties, pickles, caramelized onions, Trill Sauce, and American cheese on a Martin’s potato roll. A vegan version uses plant-based smashed patties, vegan sauce, and vegan cheese. Burgers will be sold individually or as a combo with fries and a drink. Students will be able to use their campus dining dollars (Tetra) to purchase their meals.

Bun B, a Houston hip-hop legend and co-founder of Trill Burgers, has long had ties to Rice University. In 2011, 2013, and 2015, he served as a distinguished lecturer, co-teaching Religion and Hip-Hop Culture with Anthony Pinn, the Agnes Cullen Arnold Distinguished Professor of the Humanities.

“This is truly full circle for me,” Bun B said in a statement. “To bring this brand to Rice University where I once taught is a major moment for Trill Burgers and for myself.”

In addition to Trill Burgers, Rice is also home to locations of breakfast favorite Dandelion Cafe and salad and sandwich concept Local Foods Market.

“We are excited to build upon this long-standing relationship while giving the Rice community an authentic taste of Houston,” Beth Leaver, Rice’s assistant vice president of housing, dining, and hospitality, added. “Trill Burgers brings a distinctive and celebrated part of Houston’s culinary culture to the Rice campus. I am often asked about adding a great burger option, and this partnership fills an important gap in our dining portfolio.”

While the restaurant is open to the general public, its proximity to the original Trill Burgers location (3607 S. Shepherd Dr.) means it will likely appeal primarily to people who are already on campus. Initially, the restaurant will be open from 11 am-5 pm.

Opening at Rice comes at a time of continued growth for Trill Burgers. In December, the restaurant opened in Missouri City. It is expected to open a new location at Westheimer and Hillcroft (7616 Westheimer Rd.) as soon as this month.

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