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    Infinity pool, here I come

    Galleria West? The Westin Houston Memorial City adds oomph to the westsideskyline

    Sarah Rufca
    Mar 25, 2011 | 1:00 pm
    • The Westin Houston Memorial City, right, with the Memorial City Memorial HermannHospital in the foreground.
    • Trattoria Il Mulino, inside the new Westin
      Photo by Kevin Marple

    It's not everyday that a new hotel opens in Houston, especially a towering four-star version that's not downtown, but instead is betting on the continued boom on the west side. It's the Westin Houston Memorial City, the first Westin in Houston since the twin hotels in the Galleria were renamed as part of the new brand in 1984.

    The Westin is certainly focusing on making access convenient for its guests, with skybridges to both the new Memorial City Memorial Hermann Medical Center and Memorial City Mall. The incredible 570,000-square-foot tower has 267 guest rooms, including 25 suites.

    The space in unlike any other Westin in Houston — yes, I'm thinking of the dated duo at the Galleria. The ceiling soars in the lobby, with a modern, three-story, wood-and-glass staircase that leads to 30,000-square-feet of conference and special event space.

    And Westin can boast of having one of the rarest luxuries in the city — an 18th floor infinity pool with panoramic skyline views. The same floor holds the Westin's spa and gym, which includes "meditative yoga spaces." (Is this something that people are doing now? Because that's pretty fabulous.)

    Downstairs the Trattoria Il Mulino also opened Thursday, the fourth slightly more casual Trattoria concept from NYC's classic Il Mulino. The Trattoria chefs are also doing all the cooking for room service and lounge menus, and to be brief, the restaurant delivers with above-average Italian classics. Trattoria has a comfortably chic bar and lounge space, but there's an additional spot across the lobby called the 024 Lounge for later nights.

    The Starwood brand has clearly imbued the new Westin with a bit of the modern style so evident in their W Hotels brand, albeit a less showy version. The Westin Houston Memorial City should be serious competition for CityCentre's Hotel Sorella, and may even draw some away from the overcrowded Galleria area.

    Which makes me wonder if the opening of the Westin is one more step in Memorial City's plan to challenge the Galleria. They've already added The Cheesecake Factory, and rumors are swirling that Memorial City is trying to nab H&M and Neiman Marcus, which has been absent from the tony west side since the closure of the former Town & Country Mall location in 2006.

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    living history

    Houston-area ranch tied to Stephen F. Austin hits the market at $14.8M

    John Egan
    Nov 12, 2025 | 9:15 am
    Estancia Pueblo Viejo Ranch
    Photo courtesy of Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty
    The historic Estancia Pueblo Viejo Ranch in Sealy is listed for $14.8 million.

    If you can rustle up $14.8 million, you can purchase a 91-acre ranch nearly 50 miles west of Houston that’s a piece of Texas history.

    The Estancia Pueblo Viejo Ranch, situated about eight miles east of Sealy near I-10, is located on property within Stephen F. Austin land-grant territory.

    In the early 1800s, Austin — nicknamed the “Father of Texas” — obtained land grants to colonize what then was part of Mexico. The number of land-grant recipients totaled 297, including Austin, according to the Texas State Historical Commission. The settlers came to be known as Austin’s Old 300, even though the number of grantees was three shy of that number.

    Estancia Pueblo Viejo Ranch The 91-acre property on the banks of the Brazos River has its own winery and vineyard.Photo courtesy of Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty

    Nestled along the Brazos River, the Estancia Pueblo Viejo Ranch (3401 Pueblo Viejo Ln., Sealy) was designed by Kai Geschke and built by Kirksey Homes in 2020. The 6,777-square-foot main house features four bedrooms, four bathrooms, and two partial bathrooms.

    “The single-story main home showcases masterful craftsmanship, premium finishes, and a timeless design with world-class masonry and woodworking found throughout the property,” say real estate agents Walter Bering and Linda Plant of Houston-based Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty, which has the listing.

    Former polo players John Hall and Leigh Anne Schnell Hall are selling the ranch. They’re the father and stepmother of trophy-winning professional polo player Jeff Hall.

    Estancia Pueblo Viejo Ranch The unique eight-stall barn is inspired by a legendary Argentine polo barn.Photo courtesy of Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty

    A barn on the estate is inspired by a legendary Argentine polo barn and features eight oversized stalls, air-conditioned tack room, reclaimed algarrobo doors, quebracho wood countertops, and vintage railroad spikes as functional art.

    Highlights of the gated estate include:

    • Primary suite with river views.
    • Guest suite with kitchenette.
    • His-and-hers offices.
    • Gym and sauna.
    • Screened-in porch.
    • Butler’s pantry.
    • Infinity-edge swimming pool.
    • Winery and vineyard.
    • Barn with eight horse stalls and a two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment equipped with a kitchen.
    • Staff quarters with three apartments and a 3,200-square-foot equipment shop.
    • 125-kilowatt power generator.

    Estancia Pueblo Viejo Ranch

    Photo courtesy of Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty

    The historic Estancia Pueblo Viejo Ranch in Sealy is listed for $14.8 million.

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