Historic Mansion On Sale

Historic Montrose mansion goes on sale for $3.5 million: Old world charm included

Editor's Note: Houston is 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 piece of Houston's history just went up for sale: The Waldo Mansion in Montrose.

201 Westmoreland

Confederate veteran J.P. Waldo and wife Mary Virginia Gentry, daughter of railroad promoter Abram Gentry, first built this magnificent house in 1885 at the corner of Rusk and Caroline. In 1905, Waldo's son Wilmer moved the residence to its current location, 201 Westmoreland, where it now nestles on a 25,000-square-foot corner lot among mature trees, lush lawn and landscaping and decorative iron-fenced privacy. Period detail and elegance is found everywhere inside the 6,598-square-foot residence.

Walk Through

Past the charming wrap-around veranda, enter through stained-glass interior doors protected by an exterior and insulating double-door vestibule to a stately ambiance reaching from original wood floors all the way to the top of the 15-foot-high ceilings. In fact, you'll find authentic wood elements from the flooring to wall panels and door and window frames throughout, all in immaculate condition.

To the right, a study awaits the gentleman — and gentlewoman — of the house, while to the left, a living room with working jet-gas fireplace awaits. Step into the dining room, where a vintage chandelier casts its warm glow over the large room. A modern kitchen is close at hand, with plenty of room for catering parties. Downstairs is roomy wine storage for those favorite beverages.

Upstairs via either of two elegant, curving staircases, new carpet covers the floors, and 14-foot ceilings house the three bedrooms. The master bedroom includes a sitting area and luxurious bath with marble columns on either side of a center bathtub that sits directly in front of a fireplace with mantel. In total, the house features 10 gas fireplaces, with one mock in the entry hall. A lofted-ceiling cubby on the third floor is now designated as a media room.

Step Outside

The private courtyard is a place to relax to the sounds of a fountain with goldfish pond guarded by towering palm trees. A detached 1600-square-foot guest house has two to three bedrooms and two baths. Additional bonus: A three-car garage with a large gated motor court sit to the side of the mansion.

Square footage: 6,598

Asking price: $3.5 million

Listing agent: Richard Ray, John Daugherty, Realtors

A double-door vestibule can be closed for extra protection before you enter this restored house. Shown are the interior stained-glass doors welcoming guests inside.

6 On the Market 201 Westmoreland November 2013

Photo courtesy of © TK Images

A double-door vestibule can be closed for extra protection before you enter this restored house. Shown are the interior stained-glass doors welcoming guests inside.

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artful apartments

330-unit luxury apartment building coming to former Disco Kroger site

Courtesy of Southeastern

A rendering previews the Artis Montrose.

A new luxury apartment building is coming to the site of the former “Disco Kroger” in Montrose. Groundbreaking has taken place for the building, which will be called the Artis Montrose.

Expected to cost $100 million, the 528,734-square-foot, seven-story building will be home to 330 units. Commercial development firm Southeastern, which acquired the property from Kroger in 2021, has retained Arch-Con Corporation to build the project. The name is a play on the phrase “Art is Montrose” and nods to the neighborhood’s history as a destination for creatives from all walks of life.

“Artis Montrose is in the center of one of Houston’s most desirable districts,” Southeastern vice president Mary Senn said in a statement. “The development’s name and design incorporate the site’s history and the neighborhood’s rich tapestry of culture and art.”

Residents will have access to a number of amenities, including a pet spa, office spaces, game and club room, and a fitness center. A podium deck on the third floor will offer a resort-style pool along with outdoor kitchens, a grilling areas, a zen garden, and fire pit.

“When Kroger approached us with this property, we saw it as an ideal development for our multifamily portfolio,” Senn added. “We pride ourselves on creating community with thoughtful design and resident events. Our signage, finishes, unit designs, and amenity usage are all carefully considered to ensure a harmonious living experience. We invest time and effort in our developments because we envision them as long-term investments that will benefit our residents. This commitment sets us apart and helps us retain our valued residents.”

Longtime Montrose residents will remember “Disco Kroger” for its 24-hour operation that attracted a diverse array of customers — from club goers to performers and residents looking for late night eats. Kroger closed the store in January 2021, stating that it had lost money for years.

Adding Artis Montrose will be the latest new project near the intersection of Montrose and Westheimer. Over the past years, the area has seen a number of changes, including the opening of the high-rise tower at La Colombe d’Or and the Montrose Collective mixed-use development. Construction has yet to begin on Starling, a mixed-use development on the site of the former Half Price Books property.

apartments montrose