sun, surf, SI

New Sports Illustrated Resort set to splash into Houston's crystal lagoon lair

The planned Sports Illustrated Resort will float a beachy vibe.

Rendering courtesy of Sports Hospitality Ventures, LLC

The Houston area’s explosion of branded resorts is showing no signs of slowing. Sports Illustrated will debut its line of branded hospitality hotels in Texas City at a popular destination.

Appropriately dubbed the Sports Illustrated Resort at Lago Mar, the nine-story, 200-room resort is set to break ground at Lago Mar, the beachy, master-planned community that’s become a favorite for visitors and locals.

A brainchild of Sports Hospitality Ventures, LLC, (Sports Illustrated) and Lagoon Development (Lago Mar), the themed resort will offer a selection of suites tailored “to meet every guest’s needs,” per press materials. The Stadium Sports Grill promises to be a game-day spot for watching and dining.

But clearly, the resort is meant for outdoor lounging and fun, and that includes the Sports Illustrated Beach Club, with its beachside cabanas, resort services, and a swim-up island bar.

Lago Mar’s famed, 12-acre crystal lagoon (as the largest of its type, it boasts 24 million gallons of water) is a main fixture and attraction: besides the beach club, select rooms and suites will feature sweeping lagoon views.

“This location in Texas City is an exciting venture for us,” said Christopher Schroeder, CEO of Sports Hospitality Ventures, LLC, in a statement. “Texas sports, especially Houston sports, are integral to this state, and we are pleased to bring this resort to such a dedicated fan base.”

Construction is set to begin shortly after groundbreaking, per a press announcement. Once complete, the resort backers will aim to capitalize on Houston’s booming tourist, sports, and outdoor demographics.

“We are thrilled to announce and welcome the arrival of the Sports Illustrated Resorts to Lago Mar,” Uri Man, founder and CEO of Lagoon Development, noted in a statement. “This partnership blends the dynamic energy of sports with the exceptional hospitality of Texas, creating a haven in the heart of the Lone Star State.”

Sports Illustrated’s resort entry into the region marks a veritable boom for area hospitality. The Jimmy Buffett juggernaut Margaritaville Resort has just been announced in Galveston, while a highly anticipated Great Wolf Lodge Gulf Coast Texas is under construction in Webster.

Updated elegance

Renovated Tudor-style home in West U. hits market for $5.5 million

Photo by Josh Gremillion for Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty

This renovated Tudor home at 6426 Sewanee Avenue in West University Place is on sale for $5.5 million.

In the heart of West University Place sits 6426 Sewanee Avenue. The gracious Tudor home, originally built in 2011, has been thoughtfully renovated. It’s on the market for $5.5 million and is represented by Melinda Dawes EwingofMartha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty.

The four-bedroom, five-bath home sits on about a third of an acre in one of the country's wealthiest neighborhoods. Unfolding across 8,577 square feet, it’s a home meant for living and entertaining. Originally designed by Robert Dame, Classic American Homes + Karen Black Interiors updated the home earlier this year.

6426 Sewanee offers casual luxury that is easy and approachable. Well-manicured landscaping and outdoor lighting both highlight the home’s curb appeal and beckon visitors to come inside.

The open floor plan allows for seamless gathering spaces, including a huge family room with beamed ceilings and a gourmet kitchen anchored by a center island. It also has a six-burner gas cooktop with Segreto vent hood, Wolf and Sub Zero appliances, Quartzite countertops, and a welcoming feel that make it a natural place to hang out while home cooks are preparing a feast.

The dining and formal living room offer sophisticated touches, loads of natural light, and access to the wet bar and the temperature-controlled, 360-bottle wine room. Upstairs, find the spacious primary suite with its own gas fireplace, exposed beams, and a private balcony that's perfect for morning coffee, afternoon wine, or scrolling the news of the day. The primary bath is a space of dreamy marble with two closets, Ann Sacks tile, and lovely new hardware.

Future occupants will also find an elevator, pool, covered outdoor patio with gas fireplace and summer kitchen, workout room, a paneled study on the home’s second floor, a media room, and a three-car garage and motor court

This is a beautiful home, where new owners will create cherished memories in one of the Houston-area's most desirable neighborhoods.

Photo by Josh Gremillion for Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty

This renovated Tudor home at 6426 Sewanee Avenue in West University Place is on sale for $5.5 million.

west university place home-for-sale