Known as ‘Bayou Breeze’ to its friends, the 16,022-sq.-ft. English manor-style residence designed by architecture and landscape firm Curtis & Windham includes 6 bedrooms, 6 baths, and 2 half baths. Listed in January 2013 at $19.995 million, the house’s asking price has lowered incrementally 5 times since then, most recently falling to $14.495 million just in time for Christmas last year.
The house was built along Buffalo Bayou across from Memorial Park in 2000, but incorporates older materials (such as wood from some North Carolina tobacco barns used in the floor above, and bricks plucked from the previous house on the property).  Nods to antiquity in the furnishings come from New York interior designer Bunny Williams. The 3.71 acre lot includes a pool, a putting green, and several formal gardens. Â
***
Pull into the driveway framed by shrubbery and a decorative fountain:
Cut limestone and cypress beams dominate the entry:
The staircase just off the entryway leads up to the second story:
The family room is crowned by a vaulted wooden ceiling:
The family room flows into a small formal dining room, which is connected to a bar area:
Wooden beam coffered ceiling and built-in bookshelves are featured in the library:
Hand-plastered decorative ceiling traces around the octagonal formal dining room:
The wine room features a herringbone-patterned brick floor and wooden coffered ceiling:
The kitchen, organized around a central island, includes jadite green cabinets and wood floors:
Juliet balconies overlook 2 of the bedrooms, from the same ceiling-level playroom:Â
One of the bathrooms features a mosaic floor and a garden tub flanked by marble-topped vanities:
The same bathroom also contains that dual-headed shower:
A carved wooden medallion accents one of the gardens spread across the property:
Pathways made from the previous house’s brick circle through a rose garden:
The property also includes a freestanding guest house:Â
An outdoor bar and fireplace are located near the pool:
- 3688 Willowick
- Previously on Swamplot:Â Houston Home Listing Photo of the Day: The Sprayer Niche
Photos: HAR
I could have swore I saw that same house in Katy for $1.5 million
Jesus, that living room.
.
And nice try, nothing in Katy compares with this, even if it would be 1/5 of it’s current asking price.
It’s like a “McMansion” without the “Mc”!
Much, much too classy and refined for the average rich guy Houstonian
Is that a Morgan parked out front?
With houses as expensive as this, is the realtor’s commission still the standard 3%?
Nice. I gotta get me some vaulted reclaimed ceiling.
Dream house.
I agree: it’s just too much for Houston to handle.
Gisgo – That’s a MG TD Midget (produced 1950 – 53) out front. It actually has a more modern suspension than a new Morgan.
Believe that’s a MG TD
Man, I know we like to dog on mansions here but this one is really nice.
@RJ, the most accurate answer is Maybe. Usually but not always the Listing agent will reduce the listing commission to 2% of total or 3% up to 1 Mln then a 1% for every million after that, or some other convoluted formula. Sometimes and rarely they will reduce the Buyer’s agent commission to 2% and will have to post it clearly in the listing. It also depends how large (or arrogant) an agency is, Martha Turner will not budge a dime, Champions Real Estate will charge you $500 flat fee and will wash your car for you.
Yeah. Some of the 10000+ sq.footers take years to unload/dump , oops I mean offload /get rid of ,I mean sell. Pene Moore , the listing agent probably wants every penny of that commission. Martha Turner ,the agency & the person, has gotten all full of itself / herself in competition with John Daughtery. Especially since she got the Sotheby’s International affiliation. Gone all Uptown and with the contrived,snooty, condescending attitude to match. Besides Champions R/ E Agency , there is another agent who has a two tier price structure and stays with your listing until it’s sold. He works very well with the owner. But tells it like it is to get your house sold.. And he’s a former Marine and looks mighty fine. So I’d sign a listing agreement with him any day. Can’t remember his name,drats.