Top Homes

Houston's 10 most expensive homes sold in 2016 include two $10 million stunners

Despite falling oil prices and energy industry layoffs in 2016, the Houston housing market held steady and set a new record for home sales. While homes over $500,000 and up experienced declining sales through October, they ticked up with double-digit sales increases in the final two months of the year, the Houston Association of Realtors reports. Two mansions sold for more than $10 million and the cheapest home in the Top 10 sold for more than $5 million.

The Top 10 most expensive homes sold over the year were located, not surprisingly, in the exclusive areas of River Oaks, The Woodlands and Memorial. They include the following (with descriptions from the HAR listings for each):

1) 527 Buckingham Drive, Houston, 77024

Sold for: $10,000,001 or greater

Sold by: Timothy Shanahan, Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty

Description: This impressive Norman French-style estate, clad in Leuders Shasta-Blend stone, offers exceptional style, gorgeous rare finishes, and comprehensive cutting-edge Crestron whole-house technology that makes living in this 17,500-plus sq/ft home exceptionally luxurious. Separate 1,123 sq/ft full guest quarters located above garage. Designed by Ed Eubanks and constructed by Texana Builders on 1.3 acres, the residence was built to exacting requirements and required four years to reach completion in 2014.

2) 3688 Willowick Road, Houston, 77019

Sold for: $10,000,001 or greater

Sold by: Pene Moore, Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty

Description: Bayou Breeze, an exceptional River Oaks estate on a 3.7 acre bayou lot. This magnificent English country home designed by Curtis & Windham must be seen to be believed. The interiors were superbly appointed by New York interior designer Bunny Williams. This home has it all — antique wood floors, elevator to all three floors, wine cellar with dining area, media room, separate guest house, 2-bedroom apartment over garage, pool and pool cabana, putting green, and stunning garden views from every window.

3) 88 Grand Regency Circle, The Woodlands, 77382

Sold for: $6,767,001 - $7,805,000

Sold by: Debbie Coleman Ratcliff, Coleman Realty

Description: Designed for Grand Scale entertaining and family living, 21/bedroom, full kitchen apartments, pool house, 3 elevators, 12 fireplaces, 18 baths, catering kitchen w/walk in cooler & much more. Carlton Woods is an exclusive gated golf course community.

4) 15 Grand Regency Circle, The Woodlands, 77382

Price: $6,767,001 - $7,805,000

Sold by: Beth Ferester, Beth Ferester & Company, Coldwell Banker United, Realtors- The Woodlands

Description: One of the most revered signature estates in Carlton Woods is on the ninth hole of the Nicklaus Course at 15 Grand Regency. This spectacular home features the amenities of a fine resort. It has full views of the 9th and 18th holes, the lake and the CW Clubhouse. Other amenities include a two story guest house, a golf house, and over 17,000 square feet of amazing spaces and over 3000 square feet of outdoor spaces. Surrounded by a stone wall and gated.

5) 3311 Del Monte, Houston, 77019

Sold for: $6,767,001 - $7,805,000

Sold by: Cathy Blum, Greenwood King Properties - Kirby office

Description: Understated elegance best describes this magnificent Country French home on beautifully landscaped grounds. Sitting pretty on 1+ acres (HCAD) on the corner of River Oaks Blvd., this home was designed by Joseph Finger in 1937 (HCAD) and has been lovingly restored* by the current owners. High ceilings/limestone and wood flooring, metal windows and doors, crown molding/terraces/gardens/guest house/pool. A warm family home that entertains beautifully. *=Per Seller

6) 5442 Tupper Lake Drive, Houston, 77056

Price: $5,864,001 - $6,767,000

Sold by: Ruth Porterfield, Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty

Description: Refined Santa Barbara-style home custom-built with Segreto plaster and hand-scraped mahogany floors, moldings, doors, beams throughout; hand- chiseled, honed limestone floors; soaring ceilings; trompe l oeil; professionally-equipped open kitchen; 5 fireplaces; 1st-floor master with library, bedroom with fireplace, bathroom with zero-edge sinks, Jason tub, steam shower, custom closets; guest/staff apt.; pool + large yard. En suite bedrooms, gameroom, finished 3rd floor, Crestron/Lutron systems.

7) 59 Tiel Way, Houston, 77019

Sold for: $5,864,001 - $6,767,000

Sold by: Clayton Katz, John Daugherty Realtors

Description: Robert Dame-designed French traditional on a Tiel Way ravine lot. Soaring ceilings and beautiful wooded views from towering iron windows. This private estate features 5 bedrooms, separate traditional and catering kitchens, lofty master retreat with a vaulted beamed ceiling, wine room, elegant library and dining spaces, loggia, elevator capable, and theatre amongst other amenities. The home is designed with the outdoors in mind and offers some of the most private and breathtaking views.

8) 3744 Willowick Road, Houston, 77019

Sold for: $5,081,001 - $5,864,000

Sold by: Maxine Davis, Maxine Davis Properties

Description: This very remarkable River Oaks home that features fabulous room sizes and a family room with a beautiful view of the outside that makes you feel you are in the woods. The master bedroom has a fireplace and a large walk-in closet. There are five more bedrooms and a beautiful backyard. This home also features a gated motor-court with three car garage and quarters. Truly a very special home in a unique location that is great for entertaining!

9) 2 East Rivercrest Drive, Houston, 77042

Sold for: $5,081,001 - $5,864,000

Sold by: Diane Kingshill, Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty

Description: Secluded within 3.5+ acres in exclusive Rivercrest Estates,this ultra-luxurious Mediterranean-style estate offers living on a palatial scale. The walled compound includes a 7 bedroom main house, 4 bedroom guest house, and a professional sports complex with indoor basketball court, pro-equipped gym, and hydrotherapy immersion tanks. Outdoor amenities include a putting/chipping green, water well, motor court, resort pool. Interiors by Reihl Designs, Palm Beach.

10) 3725 Del Monte Drive, Houston, 77019

Sold for: $5,081,001 - $5,864,000

Sold by: Jay Monroe, Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty

Description: Mirador Builders' Jennifer Hamelet brings you her finest River Oaks work yet. This light filled, idyllic home, set just off Del Monte Park, artfully weds American vernacular architecture with clean simple lines to produce striking and inspirational spaces. The timeless quality of her finishes include walnut floors, iron and glass doors and windows, reclaimed brick fireplaces, antique and modern iron chandeliers and mirrors, Calacatta and leathered soapstone counters. Walnut elevator. Beautifully landscaped.

This home at 527 Buckingham Drive sold for more than $10 million.

Photo courtesy of HAR

This home at 527 Buckingham Drive sold for more than $10 million.

home-for-sale

Marburger Farm updated

Round Top's 43-acre antique show unveils renovations for spring 2026

Courtesy of Marburger Farm

Visit Marburger Farm March 24-28.

The ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus believed that the only constant in life is change. Since 1997, the Marburger Farm Antique Show, which typically closes out both the spring and fall editions of the Round Top Antiques & Design Show, has largely remained unchanged. As enthusiastic Marburger tailgaters listen for that opening triangle to ring, everyone has their well-established and particular beeline-paths prepared in advance. But this year, change is a’comin’.

When the fall show closed last October, Marburger began a huge renovation project that included the full restoration of its historic buildings, including the original Marburger Farmhouse, Legler House, Coufal House, Zieger House, Silver Dollar Saloon, Gulf Warehouse, Dance Hall, Bingo Hall, Blacksmith Shop, and the General Store. Notably, the restoration has made it possible to add heating and air conditioning to these structures.

New additions debuting this spring include The Canteen, which is a large food pavilion overlooking the previously-underutilized pond; The Parlor, a design showcase space; a live music stage; enhanced pathways; and a communal green space designed for gathering and celebration. Over the summer, the addition of two large climate-controlled sheds and updated seating and lounge areas throughout the grounds will complete the project.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Marburger Farm Antique Show (@marburgerfarm)

“This is a much more intentional undertaking to really breathe life into those buildings,” Marburger CEO John Sughrue tells CultureMap. “It’s going to be very obvious — when on the property — what we’ve done. The vision for what we’re doing was establishing a greater sense of place, and a greater sense of community.”

While fans may worry that these improvements may impact the charming and rustic aesthetic that shoppers have come to expect at Marburger, the overall experience should remain the same. Once randomly strewn across the 43-acre property, the historic structures have been gathered together around a newly-hardscaped central square. New green spaces are intended to evoke a sense of nostalgia, the layout inspired by the Texas Courthouse Square. At one end, the western-facing pavilion will overlook the pond and rolling hills, and adjacent to that, the familiar 90,000-square-feet of tented shopping remain unchanged.

“One thing that is apparent about Marburger is that people have a real sense of connection with it, a sense of history, and take a personal interest in it,” says Sughrue. “You’ll see that in the level of craftsmanship, the placemaking, and how we have, in essence, redeveloped the existing historical buildings.”

One of the things Sughrue is enthusiastic about is the ability to participate in the winter show, as well as inviting exhibitors who left for climate-controlled venues to return home to Marburger. Improved facilities for their local and beloved food and beverage vendors make for expanded offerings and shorter lines — a notion sure to please even the most staunch Marburger purists.

“We are trying very much to maintain the Texas heritage of Marburger,” Sughrue says. “I consider us guardians or stewards of the brand. I consider Marburger a brand like Blue Bell Ice Cream or the State Fair of Texas. There is something very much rooted in the land, very much rooted in how generations now have engaged with Marburger and in Round Top. We are trying to hold tight to being a heritage brand, while positioning for the future — that’s what we’re trying to do.”

Sughrue is all too aware of some of the sentiments that were shared five years ago when Marburger was purchased by “these Dallas guys” [real estate development firm Brook Partners]. In the last four years, they have listened to vendors and guests alike to learn how they can improve the show experience for their core audience: top exhibitors, designers, architects, and vendors. While he finds the relatively-recent glitterati element in Round Top to be amusing, it’s not something he’s interested in attracting or catering to specifically. So, everyone can let out a sigh of relief on that concern.

“These are designers who come into Round Top, and to Marburger in particular, and they are very important to our success. We attract some of the best exhibitors in the country, if not the world,” explains Sughrue. “Day one they meet with designers who have flown in from all over the country. Our focus is being a resource to those designers and architects — that’s what’s driving our business. We are not a lifestyle offering, and we are not trying to be all things to all people.”

At the end of the day, Sughrue’s overall goal is connecting the best exhibitors to the best buyers. “Everything else that happens in Round Top is just noise.” He loves the generational aspect of Marburger, oftentimes noticing three generations shopping together in the tents.

“Y’all make a tough crowd, I’ll tell you that,” Sughrue says with a laugh. “I think we are going to get more of it right than wrong, and what we get wrong — we are going to listen very hard to people — we are going to make that right. I promise you that. Marburger captivates me. It just devours all of my time and attention, but how lucky am I?! All these issues surround purpose-driven lives, and we get to work on Marburger to bring a community of people together to celebrate design, antiques, Texas. It’s like the American Dream is alive and well on the Round Top fields during Marburger. It’s just an incredible collection of people.”

Visit the refreshed Marburger Farms from Tuesday, March 24 to Saturday, March 28. Purchase tickets at marburgerfarm.com.

Courtesy of Marburger Farm

Visit Marburger Farm March 24-28.

marburger farm round top shopping