Going Up

Only 4 ultra-luxe penthouses remain atop Houston's first Thompson Hotel

Here are your new #homegoals: The Penthouse Collection at the Residences at The Allen, atop Houston's first Thompson Hotel.

These incredible luxury homes showcase breathtaking views, meticulously designed floorplans, and exquisite customized finishes, all on floors 29 through 35 of this haute Houston high-rise.

But here's the kicker: Only four penthouses remain on the market.

"We now have only four of our 22 penthouse units left," remarks Samuel Katz, director of sales at Residences at The Allen. "The market's supply of penthouses of this exceptional quality is extremely scarce, and none can match the array of amenities provided by the Residences at The Allen. This building genuinely presents homeowners with a unique lifestyle that Houston has never experienced before."

Residents have full access to all the amenities provided by the Thompson Hotel, including 24-hour resident's valet and concierge, room service, a lavish spa, and breathtaking views of the city from the one-acre pool deck, complete with cabanas and signature restaurants.

Renderings courtesy of DC Partners

You can plan one heck of a housewarming.

The helistop will be available to hotel guests and residents, engineered to accommodate future drone deliveries and transportation.

If you're ready to buy, the two exclusive penthouses encompassing the entire 35th floor are available for individual purchase with architectural designs or as a fully customized full-floor unit.

Penthouse #3501 measures an impressive 8,308 square feet, encompassing three bedrooms, three full baths, and two half baths.

This one-of-a-kind residence features commanding views to the east (downtown), north (Buffalo Bayou Park), and west (Galleria) through its floor-to-ceiling windows, boasting soaring, 24-foot ceilings and a generous balcony.

A magnificent two-story layout ensures that every room affords spectacular views. Current drawings also provide a lavish home theater complete with a wet bar, private saunas for ultimate relaxation, flex space, and the convenience of a private entrance to ensure your retreat remains undisturbed.

Penthouse #3502 spans 6,362 square feet across two stories, featuring three bedrooms, three baths, one half bath, and a study.

This residence offers captivating east (downtown) and south (Texas Medical Center) views through floor-to-ceiling glass with 24-foot ceilings and a balcony with a private pool.

The architectural plans for this space also feature a private home theater, study, and game room or flex space. This residence can be purchased separately or combined with #3501 for a full-floor penthouse designed to meet your specifications.

Two additional penthouses are available on floors 29 and 30, each offering a unique perspective on luxury living like nothing else in the city. Listing prices starting in the $3 million range.

"These residences epitomize the pinnacle of the development,” says Acho Azuike, COO of developer DC Partners. "The Penthouse Collection, each a masterpiece in design and style, takes inspiration from the grandeur of condo living, infusing every residence with the world's most coveted luxury features. Buyers now seek properties and amenities that rival those found in cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami. The Residences at The Allen are setting a new standard for elevated living in Texas."

The Residences at The Allen will begin delivering units in September 2023 and are currently 80 percent sold, with additional select non-penthouse units available.

home for sale high-rises promoted

THE AMERICAN DREAM

How long it takes to save for a home down payment in Houston

iStock

Houstonians don't have to save long to afford a down payment.

Saving for a down payment remains one of the biggest barriers to homeownership nationwide, but a new report from Realtor.com shows San Antonio area buyers face a far shorter wait than most Americans.

According to the real estate site’s 2025 analysis, the typical U.S. household needs seven years to save for a standard down payment, a notable improvement from the 12-year peak in 2022. Still, the timeline remains roughly double the pre-pandemic norm, reflecting higher home prices, larger down payments, and lower household savings rates.

Houston, however, stood out as one of the most accessible major metros in the nation. The Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands metro boasted one of the shortest time sto save for a down payment among the nation’s 50 largest markets, with households needing just 3.5 years to reach a typical down payment, according to the study.

The report found that Houston’s median down payment from January through November was $14,927. A median household income of $83,452 was estimated to produce an annual savings of $4,228. Notably, San Antonio, the only other Texas city included in the report, had the shortest time to save for a down payment at just 1.3 years.

Nationally, the time needed to save has shortened as home price growth cooled and affordability modestly improved. Still, saving for a down payment takes significantly longer than it did before the pandemic.

“Higher home prices and intensified competition have pushed typical down payments higher, at the same time that inflation and rising household expenses have reduced savings rates,” said Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com, in a release. “Although conditions have improved since 2022, today’s timeline shows that saving for a home takes meaningfully longer than it did before the pandemic, especially in high-cost markets.”

Lower savings rates have played a key role. The U.S. personal savings rate has averaged 5.1 percent of income so far in 2025, down from the pre-pandemic norm of 6.5 percent, limiting how quickly households can build funds for upfront housing costs. Meanwhile, the typical down payment has more than doubled over the past six years — rising from about $13,900 in the third quarter of 2019 to $30,400 in the third quarter of 2025.

In high-cost coastal metros, the impact is far more severe. Saving for a down payment can take 20 to more than 35 years in California cities like San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, and San Diego, effectively sidelining many first-time and moderate-income buyers.

“In high-cost markets, the typical down payment alone exceeds a full year of household income,” said Hannah Jones, Realtor.com senior economic research analyst. “That reality makes homeownership feel unattainable for many buyers, particularly younger households trying to enter the market for the first time.”

Despite those challenges, the report notes that roughly three-quarters of Americans still consider homeownership part of the American dream. Realtor.com says easing rents could help first-time buyers save more, while repeat buyers may use accumulated savings to reduce loan balances and manage higher monthly payments.

“Saving consistently, even in small amounts, is a meaningful first step toward homeownership,” Jones said. “In today’s market, building that financial cushion can make a real difference when buyers are ready to act.”

home market economy down payments home ownership real estate