good times

Houston restaurateurs' 353-acre farm hits the market for $29 million

A wealthy family seeking a country retreat would do well to look at Goodthyme Farm. Located about an hour from downtown Houston, the 353-acre ranch in Bellville is on the market, listed at $29 million. It’s represented by Caroline Bean of Compass.

Owned by Bailey and Pete McCarthy, two of the partners in Houston's Goodnight Hospitality (March, Rosie Cannonball, The Marigold Club), the farm is one of several local suppliers to Goodnight's restaurants. Both the couple and the farm were featured in a Food & Wine cover story about how Goodnight's chefs research and develop menus.

The property includes a 5,220-square-foot, five-bedroom main house and a 4,560-square-foot, five-bedroom guest house, as well as extensive agricultural and recreational amenities.

Imagine living in such a pastoral setting, with two scenic ponds and wide grazing fields to support livestock. Greenhouses and hoop houses, a tennis court, pool, and other outbuildings offer a balance between leisure and working farm life, as do the cows, longhorns, donkeys, a pony, and chickens.

The main house offers a welcoming feel, and is exquisitely planned and decorated. The breakfast area is flooded with natural light, and a lovely banquette is a great place to start the day. The cozy master bedroom has pastoral scenes on the wallpaper and double vanities in the en suite bath. Each bedroom has its own personality, whether it’s the cheerful brightness of the yellow and green bedroom or the deep, rich hues in the Pagoda bedroom. The parlor has a bar where friends and family can look out the large windows onto the grounds.

Multiple options exist for hosting guests, whether in the main house or elsewhere on the property. An air-conditioned Airstream camper has a luxe interior. The guest house has its own kitchen and nursery, along with charming bedrooms tucked under the eaves. The four-car garage offers an upstairs media or playroom, making it a flexible entertaining space.

Whether used as a retreat, a working property, or both, Goodthyme Farm is a special place, waiting for its next owners.

Ariel view showing Goodtyme Farm, two ponds, and multiple outbuildings

Photo by Kerry Kirk

Set on more than 350 acres, the working farm has a main house, guest quarters, outbuildings, ponds, greenhouses, and gardens

home-for-sale

better than cancun

Ex-NBA star's resort-style Houston home hits market for $11.99 million

Exterior of 3201 Noble Lanes showing the 18-foot custom door, the largest of its kind at the time of construction

Photo by Steve Chenn for Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty

This 18-foot custom front door is claimed to be the largest single family residential door ever built at the time of its construction.

The Los Angeles Laker’s Nick Van Exel generated excitement on the court, with his deep three pointers and All-Star status. The home he used to own at 3201 Noble Lakes Lane in Houston is no slouch in the stat department, either. Sprawling across almost 21,000 square feet within Royal Oaks Country Club, it’s a four-level, resort-style experience that is currently on the market for $11.99 million. It’s represented by Diane Kingshill and Jason Lee Villarreal with Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty.

Those looking for a luxury retreat will be interested in this home designed by architect Paul Olson with interiors by Steven G. and Marc-Michaels. Start with the front entrance, which elevates curb appeal to a new level. Owners and guests are confronted with an 18-foot customer front door, the largest of its kind when the home was built in 2002. Stepping inside, find spaces that will entertain and impress.

A home unlike anything else in the city, this one has an array of incredible spaces inside and out. A grand piano lounge is anchored by a custom metal sculpture installation. The soaring spiral staircase sweeps upward, connecting all four floors and blending function with incredible style. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer exquisite views of the Fred Couples-designed golf course. A linear fireplace seamlessly floats against the living room’s design. Both the kitchen and the dining room are capable of hosting large parties, and the kitchen has panoramic views of the pool and golf course grounds.

Conceived as both living space and retreat, the home also has a 13-seat cinema featuring approximately $500,000 in California Audio Technology speakers; a commercial-grade, two-lane Brunswick bowling alley; dual full kitchens; a 3,000-gallon aquarium; sauna; spa room and a dedicated barbershop.

Outdoors, an infinity-edge pool, swim-up bar, covered terraces, and multiple entertaining areas take full advantage of the lake and golf course setting.

Other details include two elevators, an 11-zone HVAC system, 72 custom walnut doors, and more than 700 recessed lights.

Every level and detail of this home was designed to deliver privacy, scale, and spectacle, resulting in one of Houston's most distinctive residential estates. Blend that with its location, and this is a space that is close to the city’s business centers, but feels far away from the bustle and sprawl.

Photo by Steve Chenn for Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty

This 18-foot custom front door is claimed to be the largest single family residential door ever built at the time of its construction.