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Who wouldn’t want to be home for the holidays if it could be in any one of the seven
extraordinary Houston Heights homes that go on tour for Home for the Holidays,
the 2009 Houston Heights Association Holiday Home Tour, Friday and Saturday,
Dec. 4-5.
The Houston Heights Association event is a great opportunity to peek inside
remarkable homes that represent the architectural integrity and diversity of
this eclectic neighborhood. This year
’s collection includes a Queen Anne-style home built in 1898, two 1920 Craftsman
bungalows, a 1919 Victorian and Craftsman style abode, and three spectacular
recently constructed homes.
Decked out in their finest for the holidays, the tour homes will have docents on
duty to point out the rich history, architecture, distinctive features and
decorations of each home.
Home tours will take place on Friday, Dec. 4, from 6 p.m.-9 p.m.; and on
Saturday, December 5, from 3 p.m-9 p.m.
More Heights Delights
Explore this charming neighborhood with its nationally renowned antiques and
vintage clothing shops, art galleries, eclectic boutiques, coffee shops and
restaurants. Eat, drink, shop and be merry with Mistletoe Madness in full swing
on Saturday. Visitors are encouraged to come early, browse, shop and enjoy the
local restaurants that feature some of Houston
’s finest chefs. Check out Houston Heights First Saturday, featuring the
merchants on Yale, 6th (White Oak), 11th and 19th Streets and surrounding area
and Pet Adoptions on Heights Boulevard. The Heights Neighborhood Library at
1302 Heights will host an open house with refreshments and lots of fun for the
kids, including a visit with Santa.
Advance tickets are $17 and will be available online at www.houstonheights.org and at several Houston Heights locations including Another Place in Time,
Buchanan
’s Native Plants, Eclectic Home, The Artful Corner and Waldo’s Coffee House.
Tickets purchased the days of the tour are $20 for all seven homes or $5 for
each individual home and will be available at the Heights Fire Station at 107
W. 12th and Yale Streets, and at each of the homes. Tickets
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purchased online may be picked up at the will-call booth at the Fire Station
during the tour.
The Otto House
835 Rutland
Now 111 years old, the “Otto House,” a Queen Anne-style home, was designed by William A. Otto and built in 1898.
Mark and Linda Gonzales purchased the house for the bargain price of $9,000 in
1971 from the original owner. Although the home has undergone many renovations
since then, the Gonzales
’ have remained faithful to the original design. The Otto House, the first to
have indoor plumbing west of Heights Boulevard, showcases original flooring,
molding, hardware and lighting fixtures throughout the front of the house.
The Sanchez Bungalow
832 Allston
Preserving the original charm of this 1919 bungalow is a work in progress with
each phase slowly bringing the home back to original, while incorporating
functional aspects for modern day living. The history of this home begins
outside where porch railing pickets were individually recreated by hand.
Historic Houston supplied old hand-blown wavy glass to replace cracked windows.
Inside features the original clawfoot tub, restored to its relaxing glory and
moved to the new upstairs bathroom which was added when the attic was finished
to accommodate a third bedroom.
Fort Robert
713 Waverly
Tucked behind the wooden gates and brightly colored stucco wall of “Fort Robert” lies a serene, Spanish-inspired enclave. Born of the owner’s own vision, the home was designed by Joe Milton of Milton Architects and
construction was completed in 2002. The 2009 remodel was designed by Heights
resident Michael Dreef, AIA. This special hacienda welcomes you with 26- foot
ceilings with beams of reclaimed wood from Wisconsin, polished concrete and
blue/green washed pine flooring, slate countertops, 3-inch thick doors, cherry
cabinetry and copper thresholds.
The Pumpkin House
1648 Harvard
The home was built in 1991 by Steve Waters, one of the pioneers of the Houston
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Heights revival, with input from Steven Carruba of SC Designs. The placement and
design of this home was meant to contrast and complement its neighbor at 1801
Harvard (one of the oldest Victorian homes in the Heights and maintained in the
Southern tradition). The home showcases intricate trim and woodwork and seven
distinct colors, which are typical of the painted lady style. Lovers of
Victorian homes will be especially delighted by the repetition of beautiful
stained glass, period lighting, inlaid flooring and carved mantels.
The Watkins Home
816 Arlington
This 1920s Craftsman style bungalow is located on a wonderful lot and a half,
and has considerable charm and potential despite some 1960s alterations. In
2007, Heights-based company Bungalow Revival began the renovation and
restoration process. Many of the original doors and windows were maintained,
and salvaged hardwoods were used to match the original flooring. Renovations on
this labor of love have been completed, but the house and gardens continue to
be a work in progress.
The Longstreth Maloney Home
537 Cortlandt
This 10- year-old Victorian-styled home has the appearance of an old New Orleans
dwelling.
Featuring an impressive banister and stained glass windows salvaged from
historic homes, the home offers an appropriate setting for the French antiques,
art and other possessions the owners have inherited and acquired. The French
doors at the rear open upon a true French Quarter-style patio that the owners
enjoy from the broad veranda.
The Booth Home
1132 Rutland
The Booth Home was originally built as a Craftsman bungalow in 1920. The home
was remodeled in 2007 by the prior owners who added a family room and second
story master suite. Period finishes were used in the thorough and careful
remodel in order to maintain the integrity of this classic Houston Heights
home. A few of the remaining parts of the original structure include the pine
floors and brick fireplace in the living room.
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