On the Market

Purchasing this gem on Courtlandt Place means buying into a historicneighborhood & gated community

Designed in 1922 by architect Carlos Schoeppl, the house is said to be in theLatin Colonial style.
Photo by Benjamin Hill
The living room is spacious and light.
Photo by Benjamin Hill
The generous backyard features a pool and open garden.
Photo by Benjamin Hill
The guest house, 1,663 square feeet, is completely contemporary.
Photo by Benjamin Hill
This bedroom preserves the Old World character of the house.
Photo by Benjamin Hill
The owners' love of Asian art and furnishings informs the decor on each floor.
Photo by Benjamin Hill
Note the horizontal water sculpture that runs in the middle of the drive, shownhere from the back of the house.
Photo by Benjamin Hill

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.

15 Courtlandt Place

It takes a special person, one with an appreciation of history and a fondness for close-knit neighborhoods, to make the commitment to buy in the historic gated community of Courtlandt Place. But with the right profile, a potential buyer will find that the oak-shrouded enclave of numerous Historic Register residences is a little piece of heaven, a quiet oasis in the midst of an urban reality.

For buying into Courtlandt Place is buying into a lifestyle and a commitment to historic preservation.

This graceful brick home in a so-called "Latin Colonial" style was completed in 1925, designed by architect Carlos Schoeppl and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The current owners have renovated and updated the home, making it comfortable for today's contemporary lifestyle.

Walk through: Think big, think grand, think Old World for this is the immediate feel on entry, a curving staircase straight ahead, a cozy mahagony-paneled library to the right and an open flow living room to the left. The spacious living room and the adjacent dining room (which can easily seat 16) are washed in light thanks to high ceilings and Palladian-style glass doors and the connecting loggia that is defined by floor-to-ceiling windows and glass doors.

Carved millwork, original oak floors and double-sashed windows are part of the charm throughout.

Both the dining room and a hall beneath the staircase lead to the vast kitchen and beyond to a family room with open views to the broad garden, which is substantial considering that the lot is 25,875 square feet.

Bedrooms are located on the second floor and, unexpected in a house of this vintage, three of the five bedroom/study spaces have private baths. The master suite enjoys a sitting room, ample closet spaces and openings to rear and side roof gardens.

The third floor attic space is finished out and can serve as an office, an exercise room, play area or climate-controlled storage area.

The guest house: Completed at the same time as the house itself, the spacious 1,663 free-standing structure has been completely updated and, once inside, reads Asian-influenced contemporary. Airy and open with a double-height ceiling, floating staircase, sleek kitchen and bath and fireplace. It is a pleasing contemporary counterpoint to the main house.

Love: The contemporary sculpture designs incorporated into the landscape by Jesus Moroles. Exceptional are the water feature with granite steppings stones that runs along the drive and the granite fire pit with waterfall.

Access: You could say that Courtlandt Place is off-the-beaten path except that it lies within a stone's throw of downtown and backs up to Montrose. The isolated feel comes from the limited access via a narrow road that runs along side Spur 527 that leads to the Southwest Freeway. The broad boulevard is gated.

Square footage: The main house is 6,832 square foot.

Asking price: $2.6 million.

Listing agent: Jill Wesson.

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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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