On the Market

Mediterranean escape in Montrose: Contemporary "villas" with rooftop views replace apartments

Editor's note: Houston is loaded with must-have houses for sale in all shapes, sizes and price ranges. From time-to-time, CultureMap editor-at-large Shelby Hodge snoops through some of our faves and gives you the lowdown on what's hot on the market.

1827 & 1829 West Main

As gentrification spreads like wildfire through just about all of inner Houston, developer Ali Taghi of AH Taghi Homes has taken a piece of property that once housed an aging apartment complex and transformed it into an oasis of contemporary living with 10 townhouses. The project is labeled Estancia West Main and the developer describes it as a "Mediterranean escape." I wouldn't go that far but the townhouses are sleek and clean, surely to appeal to young urbanistas.

What's inside:

All 10 townhouses feature four bedrooms, four full baths plus a powder room and a fourth floor game room with a spacious outdoor deck — downtown views to the east, Galleria views to the west. The open floor plan on the second level unites the family room, dining room and kitchen affording the ever-popular free-flowing style of living. The balcony accompanying each second floor living area expands the open feel even further.

Amenities include hardwood floors, marble countertops, pre-wiring for speakers and custom-built cupboards.

Bedroom one is on the ground floor, next to the two-car garage while the master and one guest bedroom occupy the third level. The fourth bedroom shares the fourth floor with the expansive game room complete with wet bar and loads of windows.

(You can see for yourself this Saturday and Sunday (July 11 an 12) with open house scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. Same time on Saturday July 18.)

Square footage: 3,187 for townhomes on the east side of the drive and 3,136 for those on the west side.

Asking price: From $715,995 to $745,995.

Listing agent:Delara Aubon of Aubon Properties - Keller Williams Metropolitan.

Estancia West Main Villas channel a bit of the Spanish Riviera.

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A Montrose jewel box

Charming Montrose townhouse with 2-story atrium hits the market

Photo by Sonya Sofrankpo for Sotheby’s International Realty

1507 Harold Street is on the market for $950,000.

Montrose has long been Houston’s neighborhood for the eclectic, a place where cute bungalows, mom-and-pop shops, and trendy bars and restaurants sit side-by-side. The neighborhood is a microcosm of the city itself: diverse, developing, beloved.

And even as the neighborhood has steadily gentrified, echoes of its past remain. One of those is now for sale. 1507 Harold Street, a remodeled jewel box of a space, is on the market for $950,000 and represented by Tracey Smith of Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty.

The 1950s townhome has fabulous natural light, balconies, a courtyard filled with native plants, and a funky charm that evokes the neighborhood’s past and present.

Painted tile floors and long hallways with splendid light set the tone for this home. They give way to an open, airy arrangement, showing off 1507 Harold’s nearly 3,000 square feet. The three-bedroom, two-bath home is immediately centered in its neighborhood, but also a retreat from the bustling city around it.

If the devil is in the details, 1507 Harold has plenty of them. Think painted clay tiles on the first floor and solid red oak hardwood on the second floor. Add to that custom Pedini Italian kitchen cabinets, Neolith countertops, and a Quemere custom backsplash in the kitchen. See also the epoxied garage floor with glass garage door.

Floor-to-ceiling windows not only let in the natural light, they give 1507 Harold the feeling of being surrounded by nature. That feeling is enhanced by the home's two, second-floor balconies. One of them, off the primary bedroom, overlooks the cloistered courtyard filled with native plants, park bench, and natural seating. The other faces the neighborhood. A two-story atrium provides space for meditation, contemplation, and casual gathering.

The dining room has a dry bar that’s perfect for storage and an Aobosi dual-temperature wine refrigerator. The primary bedroom has built-in bookcases and drawers, and an ensuite bath with soaking tub and shower. Sliding doors lead to the balcony.

The garden’s irrigation system waters plants daily, keeping this green space well-tended.South Texas cactus and olive trees welcome homeowners and visitors at the front entrance.

The home's welcoming vibe has to be seen to be believed. It’s rarely been on the market, and the odds are high that its next owners will keep it for a very long time. It’s just that kind of place.

Photo by Sonya Sofrankpo for Sotheby’s International Realty

1507 Harold Street is on the market for $950,000.

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