Real Estate Rumblings

Iconic restaurant site to be turned into a new apartment complex — lake included

Hunington Residential will develop a 276-unit apartment community on the site of the iconic Vargo’s restaurant near the Memorial area of Houston. The new apartment community will be named Vargos on the Lake, a tribute to the famous eatery that operated on the site for decades.

The lush Vargo’s site, 2411 Fondren Road, near Woodway, covers nine acres. The restaurant closed in 2012 after serving as a memorable venue for weddings, proms and memorial gatherings. Vargo’s shady ground was covered with trees, azaleas and a lake that was often surrounded by peacocks that graced the grounds.

The restaurant was opened by Al Vargo in 1965 and sold in 1996 before going though a number of ownership changes.

The developer of the multifamily community, Hunington Residential, is led by Houston real estate veteran Sandy P. Aron, who has been in the business for 35 years.

Steinberg Design Collaborative designed the new multifamily project, which will break ground at the end of the month and be completed in the summer of 2014.

Lush site grounds will retain the beauty of the Lake Vargo view that helped make the restaurant there so popular. Extensive new landscaping planning will be provided by E.L.I Land Design.

“Vargos on the Lake is an exciting project for Hunington Residential, and for the city of Houston,” says Kate Good, director of residential for Hunington. “A development of this caliber will bring tremendous value to the area and offer our residents an active, upscale and unique living experience with unmatched on-site services for our residents, all situated on the beautiful grounds of the highly celebrated Vargo’s.”

The design includes a resort style pool with a custom "water tree" feature and a modern one-off cabana with gas terrace fire pit overlooking Lake Vargo. The development also calls for a courtyard centered around a series of reflection pools and an off-leash dog park. The apartment community will have electric vehicle charging stations and solar panels to power the pool area.

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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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