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.
Find your Zen in an Asian-inspired escape with courtyard, pool and spa and rooftop garden with expansive deck, all tucked into a private, light-filled contemporary Montrose residence in Houston's bustling Inner Loop. It's for sale with an asking price of $1.7 million.
Walk through
Designed by noted architect Truong Le, the house at 2603 Hopkins St. welcomes with mature trees and fenced front deck with sitting area. Inside, owners find the entryway with a console of mirrors and mosaic tile on one wall and a built-in slate bench with accent windows above on the other. The structure then follows a U-shaped design that focuses inward into the home and also outward through tall walls of glass and glass doors to the enclosed central courtyard.
Views of the pool, spa and stepping-stone bridge are visible from all downstairs rooms, merging the exterior and interior spaces.
Oak floors underfoot and floating wood panels on the 11-foot ceilings above are found throughout the first level. Two wood-burning fireplaces with custom-designed, jade-green mosaic tiles anchor each end of the open formal living and dining rooms. The cook’s kitchen is surrounded by glass and is complete with sleek cabinets, granite countertops and stainless steel refrigerator, freezer and appliances. From here, a glass door leads to pool, lower deck and bar, as well as to the summer kitchen.
One first-floor bedroom suite sits inside just at pool’s edge, making it a perfect retreat for guests. Another first-level bedroom suite enjoys a private entrance — also very accommodating. A Jack-and Jill bath on the first floor is convenient with one-half opening to serve the living areas and the other half opening to the outside courtyard and serving as the pool bath.
Upstairs via an artistically designed stairwell with post-installed lights, owners walk down a hallway with glass walls and mirrored wardrobes that reflect the walled roof garden and the skyline views. The spacious master suite overlooks the rooftop deck and includes a third fireplace with jade-green mosaic tiles and built-in headboard and night tables that complement the floating wood ceiling panels. Highlights of the master bath are double white ceramic sinks, a jetted tub beneath a fireplace and frameless glass shower with mosaic tile and bench seat.
Also on the second floor, the family room is expansive with a raised 13-foot ceiling, slate wall with a fireplace and display shelves. The room is surrounded by glass doors and tiered rows of windows that provide views of the adjacent roof garden, creating another indoor/outdoor living area. On the other side of the angled wall with glass at top, a secondary bedroom suite has mirrored wardrobe cabinets, a private slate-tiled bath and kitchenette.
Step outside
Enjoy, inside and out, an upscale sophisticated sound/entertainment system that delivers your music of preference while relaxing on the massive deck. Comfortable seating areas abound above the trees. Steps below is the pool and spa, making this home a great place for entertaining.
Square footage: 4,522
Asking price: $1,749,999
Listing agent: Yvonne Meyer, Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty
The Zen garden with coy pond offers a place to sit and relax on the slate bench.
