Sip and Shoot

Real estate's loss is a drinker's gain: New bar opens along White Oak Bayou witha prime patio

With the real estate market down, Joseph Licata decided to get back into the barbusiness.
Twenty 5 Twenty wants to be a place to chill.
Twenty 5 Twenty interior

Joseph Licata is no stranger to the responsibilities of bar ownership. His resumé dates back to 1999 when, along with good friend Kerry Pauly, he opened a place appropriately named Drink Bar.

The mission? To create a quaint, cool place to have fun and hang out with friends. With the addition of the METRO Rail on Main Street, business boomed, and a year later they expanded to open Bar Fly next door.

After a seven-year run, Licata stepped out of the bar scene and into real estate development full-time. Pushed by the real estate market’s decline in recent years, he's decided to jump back into his other area of expertise: the bar business. So, thank the dragging real estate industry and welcome Distillery Twenty 5 Twenty, Licata’s latest venture, started along with business partner Dr. Scott Segal.

Distillery Twenty 5 Twenty sits on an acre of land, formerly Licata's planned site for a mid-rise. The concept is simple and familiar — to create a comfortable yet exhilarating place to hang out.

It's accomplished with more than 20 wide-screen plasma TVs showcasing every major sporting event, free public wi-fi and a large second-floor open-air deck perfect for big groups or private parties. The building, at 2520 Houston Ave., is located along White Oak Bayou and surrounded by the green of city parks.

Distillery Twenty 5 Twenty offers plenty of room for free parking, but for those of you planning on more than a few cocktails, it’s also on the Washington Wave shuttle route.

Editor's note: Don't miss CultureMap real estate columnist Ralph Bivins' larger trend piece on real estate figures turning to moonlighting and other businesses.

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spacious memorial mansion

Striking French-inspired Houston estate hits market for $12.5 million

TK Images for Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty

412 Timberwilde Lane sits on more than two acres in Hunters Creek Village and is on the market for $12.5 million

A magnificent estate awaits in one of Houston’s most desirable neighborhoods. 412 Timberwilde Lane is a stunning brick and limestone home, inspired by French country manor houses. It’s on the market for $12.5 million and represented by Jay Monroe and Stephen Warrell ofMartha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty

Nestled on nearly 2.5 acres of meticulously manicured grounds in exclusive Hunters Creek Village, this home blends old world elegance with modern amenities, including 24/7 private security. The grand foyer’s soaring ceiling sets the tone upon entry, announcing that 412 Timberwilde Lane is something special.

Consider the formal library, with its rich, paneled walls and cross-beam ceiling, and the spacious dining room with its cozy fireplace. The living room offers breathtaking views of the rear gardens, pool, cabana, and tennis courts. Just off the kitchen, a light-filled breakfast room is a perfect place for morning coffee and admiring the grounds.

The primary suite is the embodiment of luxury, with dual bathrooms and ample closet space, ensuring comfort and convenience. This private oasis is a place to unwind and relax.

The home’s second floor offers a floor plan that can be tailored to suit any lifestyle. The bedrooms are generously sized with large closets and private baths. A playroom with a built-in playhouse castle makes for a perfect spot for kids’ imaginations to run wild. Other rooms could be utilized for a second home office, exercise room, yoga retreat, crafting space, or whatever else a family might need.

The third floor offers a game room featuring a wet bar, billiards area, and a big-screen TV, making it the ultimate place to relax and have fun with family and friends. The outdoor areas include an in-ground pool and summer kitchen, perfect places.

This one-of-a-kind estate offers an array of amenities for living and entertaining. Its location is both convenient to the city and a restful retreat.

Photo by TK Images for Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty

412 Timberwilde Lane sits on more than two acres in Hunters Creek Village and is on the market for $12.5 million.

home-for-sale