On the market

President Obama loved this Houston glass palace — just don't ask the price

The pool house and guest quarters add an additional 1,800 square feet to thestructure.
Photo by Benjamin Hill
Glazed walls unite the interior courtyard, living room and view to Main Streetin an unbroken expanse.
Photo by Benjamin Hill
The modernist home rises like a contemporary sculpture on Main Street near theMecom Fountain.
Photo by Benjamin Hill
An elevated dining room is large enough for a seated party of 14.
Photo by Benjamin Hill
The family room opens to a super-sized kitchen.
Photo by Benjamin Hill
The back garden is all serenity.
Photo by Benjamin Hill

Editor's Note: Houston is loaded with must-have houses for sale in all shapes, sizes and price ranges. Throughout the month of June, CultureMap editor-at-large Shelby Hodge snoops through some of our faves and gives you the lowdown on what's hot on the market.

5750 Main St.

If this modernist mega-house is good enough for President Barack Obama, it's good enough for . . .

Not a Democrat? Even Republicans could love a magnificent dwelling like this. But Obama did go on record as a fan of the limestone and glass masterpiece across the street from Mecom Fountain. The then-Presidential candidate noted during a fundraiser held at the house in his honor, "This is spectacular and I'm in a lot of homes these days."

Walk through: The house, with fully-glazed window walls, is comprised of three volumes that create a U-shaped courtyard to the rear. The front door opens to the vast living room at the left and at the right, a dining room large enough to seat 14, if not sized for a formal State Dinner. Beyond the dining room in the right wing is an over-sized kitchen and spacious family room. Guest quarters and a pool house extend back from the family room.

The far wing is comprised of a paneled library, another seating area with bar and the master suite, which is larger than most apartments in Houston. The second floor offers bedrooms as well for a total in the main house of five bedrooms with four full baths and three half-baths.

Wow factor: Some of the spectacular works of art and furniture, designed specifically for the house, are offered for sale as well. We say thumbs up for the exceptionally beautiful mahogany that fills the house, even paneling the ceiling on the second floor landing. No corners cut here.

Drawbacks: We couldn't find one, except perhaps the utility bills for all that space and all that glass.

Architect:Christopher Robertson designed the house that was completed for his parents in 2007. "It is a very site specific building and intended to be responsive to that particular site," he says. The design "is supposed to be really straightforward, materially rich, inviting and warm."

Square footage: 11,890 in the main house, add 1,809 more for the guest suite and pool house for a total 13,699.

Taxes: $126,000

Asking price: Available on request. This is not an MLS listing.

Listing agent: Jay Monroe, broker associate with Martha Turner Properties

unspecified

This Week's Hot Headlines

New Memorial City development leads Houston's top 5 stories this week

Courtesy of Michael Hsu Office of Architecture

Greenside will feature a one-acre greenspace.

Editor's note:It's time to recap the top stories on CultureMap from this past week. The top Houston news includes a family-friendly Memorial City development, a Montrose pizzeria closure, and a stylish new lounge for Upper Kirby. Get the details below, and find fun stuff do in town this weekend here.

1. New development with 1-acre green space coming to Memorial City area. The rapidly growing area will soon be home to Greenside, boasting a mix of restaurant, retail, and other family-friendly businesses, designed by the Michael Hsu Office of Architecture.

2. Creative Montrose pizzeria will shutter after only a year-and-a-half. ElRo Pizza & Crudo will close at the end of the year, due to a steady decline in business.

3. Stylish new lounge shakes up Houston with art-inspired drinks and caviar. Cheers to this new nightlife spot, which is now open in Upper Kirby.

Sante cocktail lounge Sante's Garden Room is decorated with two olive trees. Photo by Chris Furia

4. These are the 6 most affordable ZIP codes for Houston renters. One of these ZIPs is also among the 10 most affordable in the U.S.

5. 15 Houston restaurants crafting nostalgic and decadent ice cream sundaes. The classic ice cream sundae is having a moment, and these restaurants are serving up decadent versions.