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    Buying A Castle

    Own your own castle: Historic spot goes on sale for only $49 million

    Barbara Kuntz
    Barbara Kunz
    May 14, 2014 | 8:26 am

    Editor's Note: Houston, the surrounding areas and beyond are loaded with must-have houses for sale in all shapes, sizes and price ranges. In this continuing series, CultureMap snoops through some of the best and gives you the lowdown on what's hot on the market.

    The royal life is yours at Castel Valer, an 80-room historic landmark sitting at the feet of northern Italy's Dolomite Alps near Verona and now on sale as a family compound, a luxury boutique hotel, an event venue or a corporate retreat — for the regal price tag of $49 million.

    A bit of history

    Castel Valer has stood as an iconic presence in the Verona region since the days of the Roman Empire. In fact, an ancient Roman road still passes beneath the castle at the mountain’s base. A single noble family has called the villa home since the 14th century.

    Castel Valer guards the entrance to the fabled Val di Non, a valley nestled against the mountains and where romance permeates the region. The classical love poet Catullus, whose sonnets were favored by Julius Caesar, was born in Verona in 82 B.C. More than 1,500 years later, William Shakespeare wrote his star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet into the city’s legend.

    The views are breathtaking in all directions, with 13 acres of forest and nine acres of apple orchards — all set against the background of the magnificent Alps.

    In 1776, Mozart composed a mass commemorating the investiture of a member of Castel Valer’s family as Archbishop of Salzburg. During World War II, German and Italian forces turned the castle into an officers’ command center, sparing it significant damage.

    The castle’s octagonal granite tower, the 130-foot-tall standout structure in Val di Non, was erected in the 12th century. During the next 500 years, Castel Valer grew around the tower in two separate additions, each with its own courtyard and loggias, to reach present-day proportions in the mid-17th century.

    Substantial 21st century renovations bring modern standards of elegance and luxury while preserving the Gothic frescoes and Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architectural features. Interior furnishings, with several exclusions, are part of the sale and include antique furniture, paintings, chandeliers, Venetian mirrors and carpets.

    Castel Valer is easily accessible from two airports in Bolzano and Verona.

    A walk through
    An impressive portcullis or heavy iron gate welcomes home owners — or castle dwellers — inside. The 1,300 square-foot Knights' Hall with a late-Gothic wooden ceiling serves as the center hub for gatherings and meals. Four modern kitchens, plus a restored antique kitchen, offer plenty of space for cooking.

    The castle features Medieval and Baroque sections with separate courtyards connected by passages. Archways and loggias are found throughout the compound. In fact, 2.5 acres of Castel Valer are terraced gardens with views of Val di Non.

    Two-story ceilings in salons, inlay wood floors in some of the 15 bedrooms and two chapels with late-Gothic frescoes are just a few more of the significant elements. Sixteen restored porcelain room stoves dating from the 16th to the 18th centuries, in addition to two new heating systems, provide warmth for the castle. A large wine cellar is at hand, as is a sauna.

    Step outside
    The views are breathtaking in all directions, with 13 acres of forest and nine acres of apple orchards — all set against the background of the magnificent Alps. A swimming pool at terrace level overlooks the valley, and former stables, now elegantly appointed, are perfect for large parties.

    An 18-hole golf course is nearby, as is the world-famous ski region, Madonna di Campiglio.

    Square footage: 35,521 square feet on almost 25 acres

    Asking price: $49 million

    Listing agent:Ursula Muenzel, Beth Wolff Realtors, Real Living

    Welcome to Castel Valer.

    On the Market Castel Valer in northern Italy near Milan May 2014 day view
      
    Photo courtesy of Beth Wolff Realtors
    Welcome to Castel Valer.
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    Post Oak property redeveloped

    Renovated Galleria development will add 'greatest neighborhood restaurant'

    Eric Sandler
    Jun 4, 2025 | 1:08 pm
    Central Park Post Oak redevelopment rendering
    Courtesy of Midway
    The complex will add two new buildings.

    A Galleria-area office complex has announced a comprehensive series of renovations and upgrades designed to make it one of the area’s premier mixed-use destinations. Renovations are currently underway at the Post Oak Central development, which will now be known as Central Park Post Oak.

    Located at 2000 Post Oak Boulevard between Westheimer and San Felipe, Central Park Post Oak is a 17-acre parcel that consists of three high-rise office buildings with a combined 1.2 million square feet of office separated by an expansive lawn. Houston-based real estate development firm Midway, working with real estate investment firms 3Edgewood and Parkway, plans to replace that lawn with two new retail buildings and a greenspace. The changes are partially inspired by the Post Oak Boulevard redevelopment project that added more than 1,000 trees, wider sidewalks, and dedicated bus lanes to the bustling thoroughfare.

    "Our vision is to create a dynamic, walkable urban destination that honors the Boulevard’s rich history while meeting the evolving needs of Houston's Uptown District. We are crafting a lifestyle for those who work, shop, and dine here," Midway executive vice president Clayton Freels said in a statement.

    One anchor of the new retail component will be the first Houston location of The Henry, a restaurant that will occupy a newly-constructed, 7,000-square-foot, jewel box space. Part of Fox Restaurant Concepts (North Italia, Flower Child), The Henry is described as “the greatest neighborhood restaurant.” It’s open for weekday breakfast, weekend brunch, lunch, and dinner with an eclectic menu that includes sandwiches, salads, sushi, steak, seafood, and more.

    Other changes to the property include the addition of on-street parking, upgrades to the complex’s parking garages, and more new retailers and restaurants that will be announced in the coming months. The project began construction in April with plans to finish by fall 2026.

    In addition, Midway announced that TDECU will occupy 125,000 square feet in Central Park One and BBVA has leased a floor (20,000 square feet) in Central Park Two.

    Central Park Post Oak redevelopment rendering
      

    Courtesy of Midway

    The complex will add two new buildings.

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