Extraordinary self-sustaining Hill Country ranch hits the market for $8.75 million

views for miles

Photo courtesy of DMTX Realty Group

A glorious and spacious Hill Country ranch fully equipped for off-the-grid living has landed on the market with a grand $8.75 million price tag.

The Lonesome Valley Ranch, located at 1430 Gibson-Best Rd. in Hye, sits behind a gated entrance on a short road for ultimate privacy. Past the gate is 260-plus acres of land, a one-acre pond, and four fully-furnished buildings ready to accommodate large gatherings or events.

The single-story main residence has three bedrooms and three bathrooms, while the two-story "barndominium" serves as a three-bedroom, three-bathroom bunkhouse and saloon. The bunkroom includes 10 bunk beds, so it's perfect for large groups. Both homes have wrap-around porches, extensive outdoor living spaces, and 360 degrees of Hill Country views.

Overlooking the pond is a two-bedroom, one-bathroom cabin with a connected 40-foot pier for guests to try their hand at fishing or take a dip in the water. Also within the pond is an anchored dock and a fountain.

The fourth building on the ranch, hidden among the woods, is an equipment barn and workshop with a loft, apartment, and caretaker's residence.

The ranch is fully capable of operating off-the-grid thanks to an extensive solar system, several backup generators, a deep water well, a supplementary 100,000 gallons of rainwater collection, a propane capacity of 4,000 gallons, and much more.

Lonesome Valley Ranch is truly an entertainer's paradise. With the benefit of having no restrictions, the next owners could choose to Airbnb the bunkhouse, host special events or corporate retreats, and more. According to the listing, the property could generate $200,000 to $300,000 yearly for the next owners, while still operating as a family compound.

Photo courtesy of DMTX Realty Group

The main residence on the property is a three bedroom, three bathroom single-story home.

Thanks to the seller's intentional preservation of the heavily-wooded areas of the property, there is an abundance of wildlife suitable for hunting. Other outdoor amenities provided include an NBA-sized basketball court, a tennis court, and a pickleball court.

The property is also neighbored by the award-winning William Chris Vineyards and Garrison Brother's Distillery. The ranch is an easy 20 minute drive from Fredericksburg, and less than four hours from Houston (about 230 miles).

David Murray from DMTX Realty Group holds the listing. More information about the ranch can be found on dmtx.com.

Photo via HAR

Houston first-time buyers must earn this much to afford a starter home in 2023

plan ahead

A new income analysis by online real estate brokerage company Redfin has revealed just how much money a potential homeowner needs to make in 2023 to afford a "starter home" in Houston. Lately, home ownership is a concept that's becoming seemingly less attainable with rising mortgage rates and increased competition among buyers.

The report revealed that first-time homebuyers need to earn $57,513 annually to afford home in Houston this year, which is 13.9 percent more income than what was required in 2022.

It's also $6,893 below the national average. According to Redfin, the average salary needed for a typical starter home in the United States is $64,403, about 13 percent more than a year ago.

These findings further confirm that affordability is one of the biggest struggles for potential buyers in the current real estate market. Median sale prices for starter homes in Houston are sitting at $217,000, and median mortgage payments are about $1,438 a month, the report said.

Redfin senior economist Sheharyar Bokhari said in the report that it's a "wild goose chase" for homebuyers seeking their first home in the current market.

"The most affordable homes for sale are no longer affordable to people with lower budgets due to the combination of rising prices and rising rates," said Bokhari. "That’s locking many Americans out of the housing market altogether, preventing them from building equity and ultimately building lasting wealth. People who are already homeowners are sitting pretty, comparatively, because most of them have benefited from home values soaring over the last few years."

Bokhari predicted the wealth gap between current and potential owners could become "even more drastic" if current trends continue.

Buyers looking elsewhere in the state might find some success. Even though the income necessary to afford a San Antonio home has risen by 18.7 percent, that only amounts to $55,657.

A first-time homebuyer would need to make $64,933 to afford a home in Fort Worth, which is 14.4 percent more than in 2022. In Dallas, potential homeowners saw a 10.6 percent increase in income needed to afford a home, making it the city with the second highest income required out of all Texas cities in the report: $72,885.

Potential homeowners in Austin saw a 3.3 percent decrease in income needed to afford a home, but it's still the highest income required out of all Texas cities in the report: $92,057.

The full report can be found on redfin.com.

Photo by TK Images

Storybook Mediterranean charmer features massive lot in one of Houston's most coveted neighborhoods

On the Market

110 Maple Valley Rd.
Houston, TX 77056

Neighborhood: Tanglewood
Style: Mediterranean
Square footage: 8,201
Beds: 4
Baths: 6
Price: Upon request

The lowdown: Tucked away on an idyllic cul-de-sac, 110 Maple Valley Road is a custom-built home situated on one of the largest lots in Tanglewood. At an impressive 56,502 square feet, the home's lot is positioned high above the banks of Buffalo Bayou in a park-like setting with soaring trees, lush vegetation, and expansive yard space.

Inside, you'll discover an inviting foyer with stone walls, high ceilings, and an archway to welcoming living areas. The nicely appointed dining room with beamed ceiling, hardwood floors, and a corner fireplace, plus a fully equipped kitchen with a large center island and breakfast bar, make the layout ideal for entertaining.

There is a primary bedroom on first floor with a sitting area and incredible view of the backyard, and the bathroom features two closets, a central tub, spacious shower, and access to an outside shower.

The appealing home office space offers dual workstations, plus there is an impressive media room with blackout shades and tiered flooring for theater seating.

Other amenities include a five-car garage with car lifts and a full-house generator that would give any homeowner peace of mind.

110 Maple Valley Walter Bering Houston house

Photo by TK Images

The listing price for 110 Maple Valley is available upon request.

---
This home is on the market with Walter Bering of Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty. Click here to see more photos, details, and to contact the agent.

Shutterstock

Cool clubs and nonstop fun events abound at luxe new Cypress community

Lucky to Live Here

When you live in Cypress there's plenty to do nearby, whether it's Playstreet Museum, Copperfield Bowl, or Star Cinema Grill.

But when you live at Marvida, you don't have to go far for family-friendly activities and entertainment thanks to the dedicated lifestyle director.

It's this person's lucky job to find out what residents love and love to do, then plan events, clubs, and activities to suit those interests.

Ready to spike your way into a volleyball league, or play a few rounds of Bunco? How about gather all the ladies for a women in business meet-up, or organize a group dedicated to volunteering? The lifestyle director is there to help make it happen.

But that's not all — they also spearhead community-wide celebrations like a fall festival, cookies with Santa in the winter, and an Easter egg-stravaganza in the spring.

Movie nights, casino nights, and even Fajita Fridays are also perks for homeowners, who don't have to lift a finger to enjoy the fun.

Residents can have the option to get social at any of the three clubhouses, the shaded pavilion, or gather around the fire pit or the event lawn with fellow families and friendly neighbors.

Four playgrounds make forming a playgroup a given, and when kids are ready for school the neighborhood is zoned for the highly coveted Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District — Cy-Park High School is less than ten minutes away.

With Marvida's new lazy river set to open on September 1, residents can expect lots of splashy fun centered around the pool and splash park.

Why even bother going on vacation when there are resort-like amenities all around, and someone dedicated to making sure you get the most out of them?

Future Marvida homeowners are bound to find their perfect home with unique features that fit their lifestyle thanks to the 15 new homebuilders in the neighborhood. Every nationally recognized builder was chosen for their state-of-the-art design, floorplans, and superior customer service.

Find your future tropical paradise home by visiting marvidahouston.com, and then watch this sneak peek of the lazy river that's opening over Labor Day weekend:

Photo courtesy of Sotheby's Realty.

Houston unlocks top-drawer ranking for most million-dollar homes in the U.S.

The luxe life

With median home prices sitting at $340,000, it takes quite the leap for the average Houston home to be considered a luxury listing. And yet there are plenty; 11.4 percent of all real estate listings in Houston are homes worth more than $1 million, according to a new study.

The report, by online real estate marketplace experts Point2, ranks Houston No. 18 nationwide among U.S. cities with the highest shares of luxury homes. Houston ranks No. 3 in Texas, with Austin and Dallas in the top two.

In Point2's 2021 report, Houston ranked No. 14 with only 13.1 percent of real estate listings with a price tag for more than $1 million. These new findings confirm that Houston is on the rise as the most active housing market, while also opening up possibilities for redefining what the term "luxury" means for real estate in 2023.

"Once used to describe famous estates recognizable by name alone or opulent residences redefining the apartment concept, luxury may now be reduced to a convenient location and cushy amenities," the report says. "Its meaning varies even further when analyzing different-sized markets across the United States, beyond the well-known house-hunting grounds of affluent home seekers."

Here's how other Texas cities stacked up with listings selling for over $1 million:

No. 10 – Austin (24.7 percent)
No. 12 – Dallas (22 percent)
No. 25 – Fort Worth (3.4 percent)
No. 26 – San Antonio (2.9 percent)
No. 29 – El Paso (1.8 percent)

The study looked at all available real estate for sale in the 30 largest, mid-size, and smallest cities in the United States, and categorized the listings by their $1-million-plus price tags. The largest cities also were analyzed for active real estate listings worth over $5 million.

The study admits that luxury homes worth over $5 million are the true indicator of what "real luxury" looks like specifically for the largest American cities. In Houston, only 0.8 percent of real estate listings fit that criteria, earning the city No. 15. Dallas and Austin rank No. 8 and No. 9, respectively, with luxury homes over $5 million making up 1.8 and 1.5 percent of all listings in those cities.

The top 15 largest cities in the U.S. with the highest shares of luxury real estate listings worth over $5 million are:

No. 1 – Los Angeles (11.6 percent)
No. 2 – Boston (9.4 percent)
No. 3 – San Diego, California (7.6 percent)
No. 4 – New York City (7.4 percent)
No. 5 – San Francisco (7.1 percent)
No. 6 – Washington, D.C. (2.1 percent)
No. 7 – Seattle (2.0 percent)
No. 8 – Dallas (1.8 percent)
No. 9 – Austin, Texas (1.5 percent)
No. 10 – San Jose, California (1.1 percent)
No. 11 – Phoenix (1.1 percent)
No. 12 – Las Vegas (1.1 percent)
No. 13 – Chicago (1.0 percent)
No. 14 – Nashville, Tennessee (0.9 percent)
No. 15 – Houston (0.8 percent)

The full report and its methodology can be found on point2homes.com.

Photo courtesy of Magnolia

Chip and Joanna Gaines' Fixer Upper castle in Waco goes up for auction

Royal real estate

Hear ye, hear ye: The most famous castle in all of Texas is seeking new owners. By royal decree (aka Facebook post), renovation king and queen Chip and Joanna Gaines have revealed that they're auctioning off the historic Waco castle that they spent years rehabbing and made the focus of a special Fixer Upper series on Magnolia Network.

The Gaineses' Magnolia Realty posted on June 24 that the Cottonland Castle will be offered through Concierge Auctions. Bidding will begin at 3 pm July 20, and there's no reserve. A $100,000 bidder deposit is required.

"In 2019 — after 20 years of dreaming about the chance to renovate this castle — Chip Gaines and Joanna Gaines finally did. They aired the whole process on Magnolia Network last summer, then opened it up for guests to tour. Now, they’re ready for someone new to write the next chapter in this historic home’s story," the Facebook post says.

The three-story, 6,700-square-foot residence at 3300 Austin Ave. has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half bathrooms, seven fireplaces, and sits on 1.5 acres in the heart of Waco. Construction was started in 1890, finished in 1913, and modeled after a Rhine River castle in Germany.

The Gaineses purchased structure in disrepair in 2019. According to the Waco Tribune-Herald, the price they paid was not disclosed, "but the property was listed at $425,000 and had a tax appraisal of $350,700 at the time."

The couple and their Magnolia team designed and executed a regal flip that added a conservatory, library, butler's pantry, card room, and more. It was opened to the public for tours in summer 2022 before being featured on a multiple-episode special called Fixer Upper: Welcome Home – The Castle, in October 2022. Rooms of the castle also have been featured in The Magnolia Journal.

In the ultimate modern touch — a branding opportunity — a 17-page “Castle Sourcebook” listed design elements and products and where to buy them. A “Colors of the Castle” paint collection also was created and released through Magnolia.

According to the Waco Tribune-Herald, the property was appraised this year at $1.7 million, including land - nearly $700,000 more than its $1.03 million appraisal in 2022. The castle is also being offered for sale at $2.9 million by Magnolia Realty, and a representative for Concierge Auctions told the Waco newspaper that "there remains the chance a pre-auction offer would be tendered."

The Gaineses reportedly had planned to sell the castle immediately after the series aired in the fall. But after a three-year renovation, they got a little attached, they said.

"This is a project that I was pursuing for 20 years. The reality is we need to sell it and we should sell it," Chip Gaines told Entertainment Tonight in October 2022. “But I wonder if it’s not one of those things 10 years from now you don’t look back and wonder, ‘Gosh, should we have kept it? What if somebody in the family wanted it?'"

CultureMap was one of the first to step inside the castle for a tour. Check out some of the spectacular surprises in this story.

Ad Placement 300x100

Ad Placement 300x600

CultureMap Emails are Awesome

Property Showcase

Top things to do in Houston this weekend: Big Beyoncé takeover, a cool pool party, and more

WEEKEND EVENT PLANNER

This weekend, the biggest female pop icon in the world comes home for her wildly popular Renaissance World Tour stops at NRG Stadium. To honor local girl — and now queen — Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, locals have been shopping for that perfect fit to slay like Bey (check out our guide here) and hitting special Beyoncé-themed events (see more here).

While this weekend is rightfully dominated with all things Queen Bey, plenty of other fun activities await. Cooler temps mean more outdoor fun at the Houston Arboretum, East River, and the Dew Berry Farm Festival. Some hilarious comedians hit town, and the insider-y El Segundo Swim Club makes a splash as we say farewell to summer.

Dive into a chill weekend at El Segundo Swim Club.Photo courtesy of El Segundo Swim Club

Enjoy; here are your best bets for this Beyoncé homecoming weekend.

Thursday, September 21

Houston Arboretum presents Sip & Stroll

The start of fall will be celebrated with the Houston Arboretum’s Sip & Stroll outdoor event. Participants will enjoy a quiet evening out on the arboretum trails. The sunset walk will include two glasses of wine or Saint Arnold beer, cheese and charcuterie offerings from GRAZE HTX, and a specialty wine glass to take home. New to this year’s event, participants will enjoy an additional wine tasting featuring a variety of wines from The Cause Urban Winery, founded by Jennifer Rossi. 5:30 pm.

Nerdy Night Market at Neil’s Bahr

Nerdy Night Market will be back outdoors in the Neil's Bahr Cantina lot, giving you more space, more vendors, and the perfect opportunity to hang out, enjoy drinks al fresco, and connect with your favorite nerdy enthusiasts. Join them for an evening of geeky treasures, great company, and the coolest finds you won't want to miss. From collectibles to unique creations, there’s something for every geek and pop-culture enthusiast to explore. Must be 21 or older to attend. 6 pm.

6 Degrees presents POP DEMO

6 Degrees premieres Toni Leago Valle’s dance/theatre experience, a blend of political commentary, offbeat theatre, aerial, contemporary dance, and visual projections, set in a stylistic Pop Art décor. The performance provides a historical perspective through cartoons of how the ideas of popular democracy, extremism, and propaganda have shaped and warped American political and cultural beliefs, ultimately attempting to overthrow democracy. 7:30 pm (2 and 7 pm Saturday).

Friday, September 22

Houston Art Gallery Association Fall Celebration

As visitors wander through the Houston Art Gallery Association member galleries on Friday and Saturday, they will embark on an enlightening journey where each gallery offers a unique experience. From contemporary masterpieces that challenge traditional notions of beauty to thought-provoking installations pushing boundaries, HAGA encapsulates the vibrant diversity of artistry in Houston. Galleries include Anya Tish Gallery, Foltz Fine Art, Foto Relevance, Heidi Vaughan Fine Art, Koelsch Gallery, Thornwood Gallery and many others. Noon.

East River presents Live Music Weekends

East River 9 will be kicking off Live Music Weekends, which will happen every Friday and Saturday night through December. All ages are invited to experience free, live musical performances while taking in unmatched views of Buffalo Bayou and the city skyline on the expansive, open-air terrace. The fall artist lineup is sure to make a splash with a wide variety of local and regional musicians. Kicking things off will be Lucas Jagneaux on Friday and the Sheila Marshall Duo on Saturday. 7 pm.

Alley Theatre presents American Mariachi

Family, love, and tradition are at the core of this heartwarming play about the freedom to dream big. It’s the 1970s and girls can’t be mariachis … or can they? Will Lucha and her spunky cousin hunt for bandmates, dodge disapproving relatives, and bring Mom along for the ride? This play is infused with vibrant, infectious, live mariachi music and reminds us how music and love can make the impossible come true. Through Sunday, October 22. 8 pm (2:30 and 8 pm Saturday; 2:30 and 7:30 pm Sunday).

Ilana Glazer Live!

Ilana Glazer is mostly known as the co-star/co-creator of the Comedy Central show Broad City. But along with movies and TV, she’s also out here doing her stand-up thing. Her debut stand-up comedy special, The Planet Is Burning, is on Amazon Prime. She is also the co-founder of the non-profit Generator Collective, which defines minimal civic engagement and aims to humanize policy through people-powered stories on social media. 8 pm.

Saturday, September 23

Dewberry Farm Fall Festival

Every Saturday and Sunday, Dewberry Farm's Fall Festival will feature fun, pumpkins, food, and over 40 rides and attractions. Visitors can explore the pumpkin patch, paint pumpkins, follow a trail of glowing jack-o-lanterns inside "Pumpkin Hollar!," take photos by the life-sized pumpkin house, spin out on the new Jumping' Jacks ride, meet barnyard animals, and get lost in the 8-acre, Houston Astros-themed corn maze. Through Sunday, November 12. 10 am.

End of Summer Weekend at El Segundo Swim Club

El Segundo Swim Club is a total IYKYK, where locals and hip Houstonians gather for pool parties that are less about raging and IG stories and more about low-key vibes. For the last weekend of the season, the club is offering day passes for $20. Sip on $4 beers, at-cost champagne, and a bunch of great cocktail specials. DJ/podcaster Jason Stewart (who also goes by @themjeans on Instagram – we just thought that was funny) will be keeping everything cool and groovy with his DJ set on Sunday. 11 am (Noon Sunday).

Still Here at East End Backyard

Swishahouse, The Waxx Club, and others are coming together to throw a bash that celebrates 50 years of hip-hop and family. There will be a hip-hop stage where MCs and DJs (along with graffiti artists, who’ll get together for a graff session) will do their thing. But there will also be a synthesized area, where such DJs as DJ Comp 1, Steve Swift, and Joe B will be spinning everything from hip-hop to funk to reggae to soul all through the night. 6 pm.

Houston Museum of African American Culture presents The Art of Making It

This 2022 documentary explores the art-world ecosystem through the prism of young artists at pivotal moments in their careers, revealing the secret sauce that thrusts some into the stratosphere and leaves others struggling to survive. Why does it matter who we anoint to tell the stories of our time? Including the voices of luminaries and disruptors, the film leaves one to question whether the new world order will make art more accessible for all. The screening will be followed by a conversation with producer Debi Wisch. 7:30 pm.

Sunday, September 24

Brews & Browse End of Summer Market

This weekend, Urban South HTX will say goodbye to this hot-as-heck season with an end-of-summer market. Bring the entire family out for a fun filled day of surprises including a bounce house, face painting, raffle prizes, market vendors, food, treats, and more. GastroCraft will be there at noon, serving some delicious gastro pub fare. This family, dog-friendly event is free to the public. 1 pm.

Avant-Art Gallery Soft Opening

Aspen-based painter and gallerist Christopher Martin’s eponymous Upper Kirby gallery is changing names and ownership. The high-profile Houston Gallery Row business is being reborn under former Christopher Martin Gallery directors Ally Ondarza and Abigail Henningsen. The gallery will host its soft opening to debut “Emerging Perspectives.” The exhibit will feature artwork from their entire portfolio of artists to share their community vision. Through Saturday, October 14. 2 pm.

Bert Kreischer: Tops Off World Tour

After starring in his very own movie The Machine (where Mark Hamill played his dad!), comedian, actor, podcaster, and author Bert Kreischer is back to take off his shirt and do some good ol’ stand-up. He also has his fifth stand-up special, Razzle Dazzle, on Netflix. Shameless and shirtless as ever, Kreischer spills on bodily emissions, being bullied by his kids, and the explosive end to his family's escape room outing. We’re sure he’ll hit you with more tales of family hell when he hits the Toyota Center stage. 7 pm.

Countdown to Beyoncé: Party, dance, shine – and stretch — at these Houston events honoring Queen Bey

bey there, do that

Houston is just days away from Beyoncé’s big Renaissance tour homecoming this weekend. The lights don’t go down at NRG Stadium until Saturday, September 23, but as Bey’s song says, we like to party. That means plenty of events and food and drink specials to toast the Queen.

Locals in the Beyhive who are still searching for those perfect Bey-inspired looks can show them off at these fun happenings, which include silent disco jams, a huge downtown party, Bey-themed yoga, and a special exhibit of Beyoncé’s most legendary photo.

Break out those flawless silver threads and get ready to slay at these Beyoncé events in Houston.

Thursday, September 21

Color Factory will immerse fans with a Beyoncé playlist running inside its silent disco all weekend long. The immersive art experience has teamed up with Houston legend DJ Rob G to elevate the fan-favorite disco to a party fit for the Queen and her BeyHive. 10 am.

Post Oak Hotelis “Calling All the Single Ladies” to exclusive helipad yoga classes. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed slaying in silver. Tickets are $200 per person and includes access to the pool after class. 5 and 6:45 pm.

02 Loungewill host a video and live music tribute to Beyoncé, presented by The Vibe Curator Keto Gentry The Consultant. It’s also known as a Touch of Silver Ladies Freakum Dress Theme Party. 8 pm.

Friday, September 22

The Warwickserves up two exclusive, Beyoncé-themed cocktails. Sip on a blackberry tequila lemondrop known as Alien Superstar. Later, order up a smooth sidecar riff they call the Pure/Honey Lemonade. 11 am.

Blossom Hotel raises a glass to Beyoncé's H-Town stop with a specially crafted, themed cocktail menu, including the Crazy in Love and the Break My Soul. Bonus points: The Blossom Hotel is less than 10 minutes away from where Blue Ivy’s mom will take center stage. 4 pm.

Nosie Yogiis making a strong pull by bringing back Bey-Asana, the original Beyoncé inspired yoga class. For one night only, participants can stretch in an all-level, non-heated flow session set to Queen Bey’s music. Registration is $20. 6:30 pm.

Saturday, September 23

Tootsies and Nicole Longnecker Gallery will celebrate both Beyoncé and celebrity photographer Markus Klinko. The artist will be in attendance, along with many of his larger-than-life photographs of A-list celebs like David Bowie, Lady GaGa, and Beyoncé, including the iconic cover photo of her debut album Dangerously in Love. Fans can also look forward to a close-up view of Klinko’s Diamond Dust images of Queen Bey in her unforgettable, diamond-studded spiderweb top and jeans — which she says are her favorite. 1 pm.

Radio Milano at The Moran CITYCENTRE presents a Queen Bey Kick Off, offering specialty cocktails inspired by Beyoncé’s greatest hits. Dance and sing along while sipping on such Beyoncé-inspired libations as the Cuff It and the Heated. 4 pm.

The Plaza at Avenida Houston invites the city to Hou Run the World: Beyoncé’s Homecoming Party on the Plaza. This welcome-home bash will feature live music, fireworks, and outdoor fun. Be sure to stick around for the special drone show: More than 400 drones will light up the evening sky, creating Beyoncé-related themes to dazzle viewers. Event runs at The Plaza at Avenida Houston (between the George R. Brown Convention Center and Discovery Green Park). 6:30 pm-8:45 pm

Sunday, September 24

Bar Boheme treats Bey-loving — and brunch-loving — fans to a special, Renaissance-edition drag brunch. Enjoy delicious brunch fare, live music from DJ Athenz, and a Beyoncé-themed drag show where performers pull out all the stops to Beyoncé hits. Registration is required. 11 am.

Da Hookah Plug Lounge makes a splash with a Beyoncé & Brunch Paint & Sip Special. They’ve got the music to karaoke to, food, hookahs, and more. Guests who wish to paint must RSVP under one of the painting tickets. 12:30 pm.

Bar Louieshakes things up with a perfectly pink diva martini for Beyoncé weekend. Enjoy an array of happy hour specials, including $6 premium liquors, $7 signature martinis, $7 select house cocktails, $6 wine by the glass, 50 percent off select bar bites and more. 4 pm.

Next week: Thursday, September 28

Rooftop Cinema Club goes open air with A Queen Bey Rooftop Party. The night starts at 7 pm, where a DJ will spin tunes as tunes during a pre-game cocktail hour. Then comes a special screening of the 2001 cult classic Carmen: A Hip Hopera — starring a young Beyoncé, natch — and directed by Robert Townsend.

After the film, head to the lounge area for a silent disco/dueling DJ battle featuring electrifying Beyoncé-inspired sets. Choose the channel through the wireless headphones and move to the left, to the left all night. Live DJ set and games run 7 pm-8 pm; movie runs 8 pm-9:30 pm; dueling DJ sets and silent disco run 9:30 pm-11:30 pm.

Houston pizza maestro retools his wildly successful new Heights restaurant after overwhelming response

that's a lot of pizza

Pizza-loving Houstonians have accomplished something that once seemed impossible. They’ve left chef Anthony Calleo speechless — sort of.

The first week of service at Gold Tooth Tony’s, Calleo’s new Detroit-style pizzeria in the Heights, has so vastly exceeded his expectations that he’s had to rethink his plans for operating the restaurant. Even with limited hours of 4-10 pm, it’s been selling out of pizza. As a reminder, Calleo has sold Houstonians a lot of pizza between the Pi Pizza food truck, the Pi Pizza restaurant, and in his current role as executive chef and co-owner of Montrose favorite Rudyard’s.

“I’ve done this before. I’ve sold a bunch of pizza. We know how to do that. The fact that we’re running out of food, we didn't really expect,” Calleo tells CultureMap. “What we thought we’d do in a 14-hour day after a couple months of practice is what we’re doing in a three-and-a-half hour day.”

He adds that on Sunday Gold Tooth Tony’s sold more pizza in a single hour than in any hour he can remember from the Pi days. That’s a lot of pizza for a restaurant that occupies a 1,000-square-foot former doughnut shop.

Having survived a hectic weekend, Calleo closed on Monday and Tuesday to give its cooks a well-deserved break. The restaurant reopened for dinner today (Wednesday, September 20) with dough that he and chef Adam Bitner made for the restaurant.

In the meantime, he’s ordered more pizza pans and is looking into adding a larger walk-in cooler to deal with the unexpected demand. Whatever he decides, it will be done with his staff in mind.

“I’m not going to grind those dudes into dust. They deserve a break. They busted their ass for us at a brand new job,” he says. “They did great, period.”

Part of meeting the demand for pizza means temporarily slimming down the menu by cutting dishes such as queso and mac and cheese. Although Calleo had planned to roll out lunch as soon as this week, the restaurant will remain dinner only for now.

“I didn’t get into this business to tell people no, but it’s mathematics and physics. If I could argue with those, I wouldn’t be a chef — I’d be a super villain,” he says.

Meanwhile, the search has already begun for a second location. Calleo aims to strike while the iron is hot — and Houstonians are eating him out of pizza.

View All Listings