English estate

Ultra posh River Oaks estate hits the market for $14.9 million

When it comes to exclusive enclaves, River Oaks is the pinnacle of Houston addresses. Its winding, shaded streets and its mansions with sweeping grounds are among the city’s prettiest pieces of real estate.

Enter 3996 Inverness Drive. This beautiful home, evocative of an English estate, sits on more than two acres at the end of the street, a romantic sanctuary waiting for new owners. It’s on the market for $14.9 million, represented by Nancy Almodovar of Nan and Co. Properties and Christie’s International Real Estate.

Those wishing to see the property can attend an open house on Sunday, August 18 from 2 to 4 pm. To request an appointment, contact the agent.

With six bedrooms, seven full baths, an 800-bottle wine cellar, a motor court, and a four-car garage, 3996 Inverness offers resplendent luxury. English limestone-carved stone arches and Cotswold-imported flooring nod to the home’s British inspiration, which are also seen in the wine cellar’s triple-barrel vault brick ceilings and a pub-style billiard room.

Inside and out this is a home made for grand living and entertaining. In the formal living room, decorative deep crown molding, a custom iron lantern chandelier, portrait lighting, limestone gaslog fireplace and a coved ceiling with detailed rose accents offer a space that is as lovely as it is welcoming.

Just off the kitchen, the breakfast room features reclaimed terracotta and timber flooring, paneled walls, and a groin vaulted ceiling. It’s a bright space that’s the perfect spot to begin the day.

After breakfast, retreat through French doors leading to the kitchen office, where two built-in desks with terrazzo counters, built-in cabinets and shelves, along with built-in speakers create a sunny workspace. Those who want a more formal work-from-home spot will fall in love with the library, with its portrait lighting, built-in bookshelves, a limestone gaslog fireplace, plaster patterned ceiling, and a TV/artwork mantel display.

The grounds feature Tudor parterre gardens, disappearing fountains, a saltwater pool, and a pavilion with a custom summer kitchen. Interested buyers will also find a private guest wing and separate cottage with a gym and sauna.

With its effortless blending of formal elegance and relaxed sophistication, 3996 Inverness is a home that’s perfect for those with exquisite taste seeking an oasis of calm in a busy city.

Photo by Laurie Perez

Wood-paneled walls add to the English feel.

river oaks home-for-sale

artful apartments

330-unit luxury apartment building coming to former Disco Kroger site

Courtesy of Southeastern

A rendering previews the Artis Montrose.

A new luxury apartment building is coming to the site of the former “Disco Kroger” in Montrose. Groundbreaking has taken place for the building, which will be called the Artis Montrose.

Expected to cost $100 million, the 528,734-square-foot, seven-story building will be home to 330 units. Commercial development firm Southeastern, which acquired the property from Kroger in 2021, has retained Arch-Con Corporation to build the project. The name is a play on the phrase “Art is Montrose” and nods to the neighborhood’s history as a destination for creatives from all walks of life.

“Artis Montrose is in the center of one of Houston’s most desirable districts,” Southeastern vice president Mary Senn said in a statement. “The development’s name and design incorporate the site’s history and the neighborhood’s rich tapestry of culture and art.”

Residents will have access to a number of amenities, including a pet spa, office spaces, game and club room, and a fitness center. A podium deck on the third floor will offer a resort-style pool along with outdoor kitchens, a grilling areas, a zen garden, and fire pit.

“When Kroger approached us with this property, we saw it as an ideal development for our multifamily portfolio,” Senn added. “We pride ourselves on creating community with thoughtful design and resident events. Our signage, finishes, unit designs, and amenity usage are all carefully considered to ensure a harmonious living experience. We invest time and effort in our developments because we envision them as long-term investments that will benefit our residents. This commitment sets us apart and helps us retain our valued residents.”

Longtime Montrose residents will remember “Disco Kroger” for its 24-hour operation that attracted a diverse array of customers — from club goers to performers and residents looking for late night eats. Kroger closed the store in January 2021, stating that it had lost money for years.

Adding Artis Montrose will be the latest new project near the intersection of Montrose and Westheimer. Over the past years, the area has seen a number of changes, including the opening of the high-rise tower at La Colombe d’Or and the Montrose Collective mixed-use development. Construction has yet to begin on Starling, a mixed-use development on the site of the former Half Price Books property.

apartments montrose