instant classic

Timeless River Oaks new-build blending art deco and Old Hollywood styles hits market for $9.85 million

In the heart of one of Houston's most exclusive enclaves sits 3452 Ella Lee Lane. The River Oaks home, which blends art deco, midcentury, and Old Hollywood styles, is on the market for $9.85 million, represented by Kellie Geitner of Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty.

The four-bedroom, six-and-a-half-bathroom home is a brand-new, 2023 build, with custom-designed features throughout. Double front doors with exquisite brass handles beckon guests and residents into the the grand foyer with blonde woods and white walls, which accentuate the stunning light that fills the home.

A smoked antique mirror anchors the formal living room, a conversation piece in a room meant for gathering. The study features custom built-in shelves and cabinets, along with an R. Hughes Hallsworth Maven chandelier that evokes atomic whimsy. Porto Teleo hand-painted wallpaper wraps the dining room, which also features a clear glass Hermes chandelier.

A partially open floor plan means the family room overlooks the kitchen, offering seamless space for living, lounging and dining. The family room overlooks the turf backyard, which features an in-ground, glass-tile-bottom pool, outdoor grill, and kitchen, along with ample space for entertaining pets and people.

In the kitchen, home chefs will find L’Atelier and Gaggenau appliances, glass and brass cabinets and custom hanging shelves. A cozy breakfast nook offers a chill space to begin the day. The home's wine room blends form and function, with leather wine slings and space for sipping and storing favorite bottles.

Upstairs, the primary suite is an owner's oasis, with a bedroom sporting white oak floors, 10-foot ceilings, and Venetian plastered walls. A vestibule with a coffee bar leads to the master bathroom, which features herringbone stone floors, a walk-in shower, marbles vanities, and a free-standing soaking tub.

3452 Ella Lee Lane provides modern amenities while keeping River Oaks' old-school charm. There's a three-car garage, lush landscaping, an elevator, plenty of space for guest rooms, additional home offices, or workout spots. The home's new owners will be limited only by their imaginations on how this incredible home can be individualized.

$\u200b3452 Ella Lee Lane River Oaks Houston$

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

The fridge and freezer appear gigantic.

a sweeter future

City of Sugar Land acquires historic 'Char House' for new development

Photo provided by City of Sugar Land

The Char House is one of the most iconic buildings in Southwest Houston

The Imperial Sugar refinery complex has been gently rotting in the heart of Sugar Land, but a formal purchase of the land and building by the city government promises a chance at new life for the historic building.

Built around 1869, the complex was once a state-of-the-art facility that refined sugar and produced molasses. The City of Sugar Land was named for the company, and the company's crown logo is part of the city's official seal. Thousands of workers manned the lines while Houston schoolchildren toured the floor of the factory until it shut its doors in 2002. Now, the only sugar in Sugar Land is found on grocery store shelves, where the Imperial brand is still sold today.

The City of Sugar Land announced on Wednesday that it had finally completed the official purchase of the 40 acres that the refinery stands on, the first time the city has owned it. Previous plans to develop the property haven't come together.

“Redeveloping the Imperial Historic District has been a longstanding priority for both the City Council and our residents,” Mayor Carol McCutcheon said in a statement. “We’re proud to now be in the driver’s seat — ready to preserve our namesake and create the kind of destination the Sugar Land community deserves. With this project, we hope to create a place that past and future generations are proud of for many years to come.”

The $50 million land purchase and renovation plan includes the iconic Char House. The tall, red brick building looms over Sugar Land and is an iconic structure in Fort Bend County. The name comes from the charring process of adding burnt and powdered animal bones to the refining process. The building, completed in 1925, had to be tall as using gravity to filter the liquid sugar as it left the storage tanks on the eighth floor to the bottom.

The City of Sugar Land is in the process of seeking a private development partner to repurpose and renovate the land and buildings. That process should be completed by first quarter of 2026. In the meantime, the sale will be finalized over the coming months, and the city will begin the process of maintenance to prevent further deterioration. Though it is still some ways in the future, it's possible generations of school children will once again have a chance to visit the industrial genesis of Sugar Land.

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