On the Market

This dream house on Montrose makes the perfect neighbor for the adjacent museums

Architect Willliam Cannady designed this Italian-inspired villa that was builtin 1990.
Saltillo tile floors, French doors opening to the pool courtyard and a fireplacedefine the living room.
A light-filled gallery connects the rooms on the second floor.
Custom furnishings and built-ins make for a whimsical dining room.
The family room was a 2002 addition that features a gas-burning fireplace andbuilt-in bookcases and storage areas.
The custome kitchen is large enough to easily accommodate a catering staff.
As soon as you enter the parking court, the hustle of the Montrose area is leftbehind.
This study with full bath and walk-in close could easily be converted to afourth bedroom.
The covered patio connects the ground floor master suite with the guest bedroomwing.
The master suite is spacious and opens to the pool courtyard.
One of two bathrooms in the master suite.

Editor's Note: Houston is loaded with must-have houses for sale in all shapes, sizes and price ranges. In this continuing series, CultureMap Editor-at-Large Shelby Hodge snoops through some of our faves and gives you the lowdown on what's hot on the market.

5300 Montrose Blvd.

Surely everyone who has stopped at the light at Montrose and Bissonet has pondered the structure at the southwest corner, it's contemporary approach to Old World sensibilities sending off intriguing vibes. After all, it simply has to be special here at the so-called "art corner" where the Museum of Fine Arts, the Contemporary Arts Museum and the Cullen Sculpture Garden come together.

Indeed, from the time that architect William T. Cannady designed and then built the Italianate residence in 1990, it has been a much-admired addition to the oak-shrouded Shadyside neighborhood.

It is best described in a promotional piece written on the property, ". . . this Italian-inspired villa is both an expression of public presence and private enclave as it embodies both the modern and classical principles."

Walk through:

We enter through the pool courtyard, a dramatic and beautifully-landscaped linear space that sets up the L-shape of the house. Through glass doors we move up the stairway to the second floor where the expansive living/public spaces of the residence enjoy a certain airiness thanks in part to the five glass portals with balconies that overlook the neighborhood, the courtyard and the museums.

From the over-sized living room, we move down the connecting gallery, past the silver closet to the vast kitchen (large enough to service a serious catering contingent) and on to the formal dining room. whimsically decorated in custom furnishings. Beyond is the family room, a 2002 addition with fireplace, and around the L is the study which could easily become a fourth bedroom with its full bath and walk-in closet.

Next, it's down the back stairway to the ground floor where we land in a hallway with vast built-in storage closets, two guest bedrooms looking out onto the pool and a hallway that leads to a covered patio. This unusual space opens to the pool on one side and a bamboo garden on the other.

With its charming outdoor furnishings, gas grill and plantings, it makes for a congenial entry to the spacious master suite with walk-in closets, his and her baths, glass doors opening to the pool courtyard and ample sitting area.

Love: Saltillo tile floors throughout the living areas provide a rich counterpoint to white walls.

Applause, applause: This is a beautiful home with the most appealing aesthetics thanks to Cannady's design talents. The pleasing marriage of contemporary and traditional results in an attractive residence that speaks of the modern while offering warmth.

Dare we mention traffic: During this late-morning visit, road warriors were not an issue but they could be during both the morning and afternoon rush hours. Attempting a left turn into the drive on Bissonnet is challenging. Maneuvering would be the only problem.

A lush landscape: The half-acre lot is so beautifully and richly landscaped that once inside the parking court, you are psychologically worlds removed from bustling Montrose. The high trees, walls and hedges provide ample buffer from the busy surroundings. In short, I love this oasis of grandeur and peace in the center of the city.

Square footage: 6,007

Asking price: $5.25 million

Taxes: $55,533 per year

Listing agent: Markley Crosswell of John Daugherty Realtors

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Where to Live Now

Houston high-rise's 2-story penthouse hits the market at $11 million

Photo by Harry Stonhill

Penthouse 2502 at The Belfiore spans the top two stories of the high rise.

For those looking to move on up to a deluxe penthouse in the sky — the new $11 million listing at 1275 S. Post Oak Lane, Unit 2502 hits the right note.

At nearly 9,000 square feet, Penthouse 2502 at The Belfiore spans the top two floors of the 26-story high rise.

"The team that created Penthouse 2502 offers Houston something exceptionally rare: a brand-new, never-occupied, two-story residence with custom-caliber design atop an established luxury tower," said Justin Dugat of Douglas Elliman, co-listing agent with Misty Meredith, in a statement.

The penthouse underwent a full build-out in the past seven months under the guidance of Jeffrey Fawaz and Mike Elaridi of Fratelli Companies with Ghandi Saad and Salim Obeid of RSG Development Group.

“From the beginning, we saw the opportunity to create something truly elevated; not just in design, but in experience,” Fawaz said. “Every detail was approached with intention, and the result is a space that reflects both luxury and functionality in a seamless way.”

$\u200bPenthouse 2502 at The Belfiore$

Photo by Harry Stonhill

Penthouse 2502 at The Belfiore spans the top two stories of the high rise.

What was once a blank concrete shell is now an 8,689-square-foot home with five bedrooms, including two primaries and a dedicated 680-square-foot dressing room, along with three full and three half bathrooms.

The home’s two floors are connected via both an interior lift and a floating staircase that serves as a sculptural centerpiece. Multiple entertaining spaces include a media room, office, wet bar, massage room, and a wine cellar.

The views are a luxury of their own, with floor-to-ceiling windows and two corner terraces offering panoramas of the east, west, and south.

The list of elevated features is extensive, including an automated designer lighting system by Lutron and appliances from La Cornue and Gaggenau. Venetian plaster, Italian marble countertops, European cabinetry, and custom white oak herringbone flooring throughout highlight the attention to craftsmanship.

The Belfiore’s amenities add to the penthouse’s appeal, with a 24-hour concierge and valet, swimming pool, athletic club, private dog park, and — perhaps most enticing in Houston — industrial generators. The perks come with a hefty monthly maintenance fee of $11,157.

The 45-residence building, completed in 2016, was originally developed by Giorgio Borlenghi of The Interfin Companies alongside McNair Interests, the investment entity of late Texans owner Bob McNair.

“Houston’s luxury high-rise condo market is gaining momentum, driven by demand for a lock-and-leave, full-service lifestyle,” Dugat said. “As more wealth flows into the city, buyers are prioritizing efficiency, design, and the ability to spend more time living and less time managing a traditional home.”

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