The luxury real estate market in Houston demands consummate counsel, exceptional connections, a laser-like focus, and above all, maximum discretion — standards that Katherine Warrenat Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty meets and exceeds every day.
A Houstonian for more than 25 years, Warren's remarkable success stems from a diverse professional background and maintaining deep personal connections throughout her working life. Warren's first career as a successful attorney contributes an unmatched expertise and gravitas to the counsel she now provides as a Realtor, and she integrates impressive skills learned in legal business development and marketing as critical components of her real estate practice.
Drawing on her passion for architecture and design, Katherine entered into her second career as the design consultant for premier developer and custom home builder Lovett Homes, where she consulted on all design aspects for the company's master-planned communities.
Warren's experience as both an attorney and design consultant formed a natural bridge to residential real estate sales.
"Being a Realtor draws on all of my interests and skills," she says. "I work in neighborhoods across Houston and focus on each client's particular needs in the sale or acquisition of a residence or investment property. When challenges arise, I clarify the issues and deal with them head-on to protect my clients' interests, and of course, always maintain my clients' confidences and conduct their transactions with maximum discretion."
Such experience has resulted in incredible awards and recognition for Warren in her real estate career both locally and nationally, and has allowed her to represent significant property transactions in Houston's most sought-after and historically significant neighborhoods.
Take, for example, her recent sales of two prominent local properties: 1323 North Blvd. and 1318 North Blvd. Both in the elite community of Broadacres, the homes possess storied histories and have played a part in the development of this coveted Houston community.
Also known as the Pincoffs House, the 1323 property was designed and later renovated by Birdsall Briscoe, who was Texas royalty as the grandson of San Jacinto hero Andrew Briscoe. The Pincoffs House presents Briscoe's signature fondness for symmetry and restrained proportions.
Spacious but never enormous, rooms are skillfully arranged to furnish internal vistas that sweep through the house and float out into the splendid gardens. The home is adorned with lavish wrought iron accents and surrounded by heirloom oak trees and fig ivy-covered walls. Rejuvenated oak floors and tall ceilings are hallmarks throughout, with carved and marble fireplaces serving as highlights on the first floor.
The Gilmer House, as 1318 is known, is a Spanish Revival masterpiece from William Ward Watkin, FAIA, the founding dean of the Rice University School of Architecture. Though Watkin placed his stamp on many of Houston's most celebrated homes, buildings, and neighborhoods, the Gilmer House was his sole commission in Broadacres.
Watkin's facade of arch-topped French doors is a famous, oft-published Houston image. The exceptionally refined and light-filled floorplan, richly plastered walls, herringbone-patterned brick or pencil-plank wood floors, and Spanish-inspired fireplaces remain virtually intact, undisturbed by the addition of an open gathering kitchen.
On either side of the living room's fireplace are open doorways that lead into the "safari room," an intimate space named for the pair of elephant chairs that the previous owner found waiting when he took possession. The home's famous lineage is bolstered by its former owner, the estate of noted Houstonian and Tootsie's founder/owner Mickey Rosmarin.
Warren is currently representing the wooded property at 506 Thamer, a 66,221-square-foot building site in the heart of Hunters Creek Village and minutes from Memorial Park, the Galleria, and CityCentre. Included with the serene, park-like property is a vintage Neoclassical-style home that was designed for the owner by Arthur Steinberg, AIA. And if the as-is home isn't to your taste? The seller is willing to tear it down and fill in the pool at their expense.
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Katherine Warren represented the sale of 1323 North Blvd.
