Historic Extreme Makeover
From shambles to stunning: Historic Mid-Century Mod's extreme makeover shown off in new home tour
A Mid-Century modern miracle makeover is being showcased in a home tour this weekend as part of preservation group Houston Mod's "Mod of the Month," an ongoing series of open houses in historic Glenbrook Valley and the neighboring Meadowcreek Village subdivision.
The featured house at 8008 Colgate St. recently went from shambles to stunning after being renovated beyond the studs. The structure is one of many in these transitional areas near Hobby Airport that are filled with a mix of architectural styles, oversized lots and mature pecan trees.
Houston Mod, a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization, highlights three architecturally significant residences each month in hopes of pairing them with sympathetic buyers who will preserve the properties. Houston Mod received a Good Brick Award from Preservation Houston for the program.
The other two spotlighted residences this weekend are the three-bedroom, 2,519-square-foot residence at 5222 Sleepy Creek Drive listed at $215,000 and 5443 Whispering Creek Way, a 1,850-square-foot three bedroom with an asking price of $99,900. The tour runs from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday and is free and open to the public.
8008 Colgate St.
When the property owners purchased this ransacked structure, all really that was left were the four exterior walls and the main staircase.
The house at 8008 Colgate was saved after more than 17 months of rebuilding.
"It was all about the staircase, location close to downtown and being a Mid-Century modern," emails Belinda Skoog, who along with husband Chris bought the house situated on almost an acre overlooking Sims Bayou. "The house was beyond a remodel with holes in the roof and tree roots going into the house under the carpeting over 30 feet.
"We worked with the historical group to find the right common ground for the extreme makeover."
From underground plumbing, new slab and 60-plus percent replacement of framing to all new rafters and roof, in addition to power service and wiring, the house at 8008 Colgate was saved after more than 17 months of rebuilding.
"We decided to take and blend the art of Mid-Century modern and update it with modern on the landscape and the decor," Skoog says. "In the house, we completed it with spray foam insulation throughout and triple-insulated glass windows to cut down on our carbon footprint."
Today, 8008 Colgate St. is a mod beauty. Travertine tile is found through the first floor, where automated window shades work by remote. Two kitchens show off granite countertops and custom cabinets. The house includes four bedrooms and four full baths, as well as two half-baths. And as a bonus, the home theater features 11 full recliners and 168-inch HD projector and screen.
Outside, a 10,000-gallon rain harvesting system and drought-resistant zoysia grass keep conservation in mind. Parking's available in a two-car garage and a two-car carport.
The property is for sale at $525,000 with Robert Searcy of Robert Searcy Properties serving as the realtor.