Bayou-Backed Frame-Harper Mod Back on Market, Back Below $3 Million

403 Westminster Dr., Memorial Villages, Houston, TX 77024

For sale along Buffalo Bayou, just above the junction with still-biohazardous Spring Branch: the Frame-Harper house, designed in the late 1950s by Harwood Taylor. The 3-time houstonMOD Mod of the Month was unwhitewashed by Stern & Bucek in 2007 to the tune of various accolades, but after an initial 2008 listing (at a smidge under $3 million) the home was pulled off and pushed back on the market 2 more times before a late 2011 sale for $1.78 million. The house came back onto the market in August of last year for $3.45 million, holding out until a November withdrawal; the current listing asks for $2.85 million instead.

Above is the family room, with original walnut paneling, and some of the coffered ceilings un-de-coffered by the 2007 redo. Here’s how the rest of the un-remodel is standing the test of time:

***

403 Westminster Dr., Memorial Villages, Houston, TX 77024

The listing says the seller says the dining room’s terrazzo floors were resealed in 2015:

403 Westminster Dr., Memorial Villages, Houston, TX 77024

403 Westminster Dr., Memorial Villages, Houston, TX 77024

403 Westminster Dr., Memorial Villages, Houston, TX 77024

The mod-nodding walnut cabinetry was added in the 2007 redo:

403 Westminster Dr., Memorial Villages, Houston, TX 77024

403 Westminster Dr., Memorial Villages, Houston, TX 77024

403 Westminster Dr., Memorial Villages, Houston, TX 77024

 

403 Westminster Dr., Memorial Villages, Houston, TX 77024

403 Westminster Dr., Memorial Villages, Houston, TX 77024

The floating terrazzo staircase leads to 3 of the 6 bedrooms:

403 Westminster Dr., Memorial Villages, Houston, TX 77024

The master suite opens to an outdoor patio:

403 Westminster Dr., Memorial Villages, Houston, TX 77024

A sunken tub in the master bathroom sits below a skylight:

403 Westminster Dr., Memorial Villages, Houston, TX 77024

403 Westminster Dr., Memorial Villages, Houston, TX 77024

403 Westminster Dr., Memorial Villages, Houston, TX 77024

403 Westminster Dr., Memorial Villages, Houston, TX 77024

Another bathroom downstairs also has a sunken tub, and also opens out to a tiny fenced outdoor patio: 

403 Westminster Dr., Memorial Villages, Houston, TX 77024

403 Westminster Dr., Memorial Villages, Houston, TX 77024

403 Westminster Dr., Memorial Villages, Houston, TX 77024

403 Westminster Dr., Memorial Villages, Houston, TX 77024

403 Westminster Dr., Memorial Villages, Houston, TX 77024

403 Westminster Dr., Memorial Villages, Houston, TX 77024

The backyard gardens and patios sit on various levels in front of the hilly area backed up to Buffalo Bayou:

403 Westminster Dr., Memorial Villages, Houston, TX 77024

403 Westminster Dr., Memorial Villages, Houston, TX 77024

403 Westminster Dr., Memorial Villages, Houston, TX 77024

403 Westminster Dr., Memorial Villages, Houston, TX 77024

403 Westminster Dr., Memorial Villages, Houston, TX 77024

Photos: HAR

Still Bayou Cool

9 Comment

  • These types of homes are loved by critics, adored by afficionados, but no one ever pays real money for them. Much like indie artsy movies.

  • I am unclear about the overall practicality of these shower-stall-less showers, which we see in other high-end bath settings. Doesn’t the entire room get wet? I suppose one must shower with considerly less abandon than is my usual practice.

  • Shazam. Love the architecture /location /finishes.. Especially like the sunken master tub with the over head skylight. A former school mate lived on the cul de sac on Timber Terrace (due East of Chimney Rock Rd. – before the City Of Houston extended Chimney Rock over the bayou).We sused to ride our bikes through the heighborhood where this house sits. Thank Goodness it was saved.

  • typo: through the Neighborhood..

  • Wow, I didn’t know the Brady House was in Texas?! Still a cool looking house!

  • There are a lot of things to like about this house but that exposed railing-less stair is not one. It’s scary.

  • @Luz I was thinking more of the house from A Clockwork Orange.

  • @commonsense Just because your average joe on the street is not scrambling to buy one doesn’t make it less worthy of appraise… Hell, I think the Twilight series were some of the highest grossing movies of all times. Is that what we should strive to achieve in cinema and film?

  • commonsense, if I had won the lottery the other day, this is the place I’d buy. So I’d pay real money for it.
    .
    in other news, I like that the toilet and shower aren’t divided, not even a shower curtain. so while your SO is taking a shower, just go sit on the toilet and lock eyes with them, asserting your dominance as you do your thing on the toilet.