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

The master suite occupies the entire third floor, with sitting area...

15 On the Market luxury lake property Round Top June 2014

Photo courtesy of © TK Images

The master suite occupies the entire third floor, with sitting area...

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Record-breaking property

Ultra-luxurious Houston high-rise lists last penthouse for $14.5 million

A rendering of the exterior of the St Regis Residence in Houston

Rendering courtesy of Shimahara Visual

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A new Houston high-rise is issuing a final call for one of its most desirable units. The St. Regis Residences, Houston has one remaining penthouse available for $14.5 million.

A representative touts that the $3,100 per square foot price is a new record for Houston-area high-rises. It’s one of seven penthouses at the property that range in size from 4,500 to 6,500 square feet.

“The last available penthouse at The St. Regis Residences underscores the strength and maturity of Houston’s luxury market,” said Catherine Lee, president of Douglas Elliman Development Marketing, Texas, which is handling sales and marketing for the building. "Discerning buyers are consistently choosing standalone branded residences that deliver enduring quality, trusted service, and global brand recognition — all of which is evidenced by the premium price-per-square-foot. Opportunities of this caliber, particularly at this level of scarcity, are increasingly rare.”

A rendering of a penthouse at the St Regis Residence in Houston A rendering illustrates one of the building's penthouses.Rendering courtesy of Shimahara Visual

As CultureMap has previously reported, Houston-based commercial real estate firm Satya is building the 37-story, curvilinear tower. Set on a nearly four-acre property near Houston’s iconic Bayou Bend Collection (102 Asbury Street), the tower will offer 90 residences.

Buyers can select from various floor plans, including one-bedroom units. Pricing for these luxurious homes begins at $3 million, with residences starting on the 10th floor.

Residents will enjoy more than 40,000 square feet of amenities, including butler service, a lap pool, steam rooms, saunas, fitness studio, dedicated training space, a yoga and movement studio, and St. Regis-branded bicycles. A dedicated children’s activity center, gaming lounge, theater, and event space will offer entertainment for all ages, while the Cognac Bar and Astor Room on the 26th floor will provide a refined dining experience in homage to the St. Regis founding family.

Additional perks include co-working spaces, two guest suites, and full-building backup generators — an invaluable feature in Houston.

The project is expected to break ground this spring, with an expected completion of early 2029. So far, the building has more than $180 million in gross sales, according to press materials.

“The demand for this level of condominium in Houston continues to show the market is prime for a new paradigm of residential experience and the impeccable service of legendary hospitality that The St. Regis brand is known for,” said Sunny Bathija, owner and developer of The St. Regis Residences, Houston and CEO of Satya.

St. Regis Residences, Houston, is neither owned nor developed by Marriott International or Marriott, but rather SR Luxury Condominium, LTD. It has licensed the St. Regis marks from Marriott for the project.

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Brianna McClane contributed to this article.

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