THE ACCUSATIONS THAT ARE ROILING TERLINGUA
BY LEIF REIGSTAD
WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS TELL ALL!
BY EMILY MCCULLAR
TASTY TAKEOUT FROM THE BEST NEW
RESTAURANTS
BY PATRICIA SHARPE
A Man and His Dog
JOHN R. ERICKSON SET OUT TO BECOME A SERIOUS LITERARY NOVELIST, LIKE FAULKNER OR HEMINGWAY. FORTUNATELY FOR MILLIONS OF HANK THE COWDOG FANS, HE FAILED.
by Christian Wallace
A
Richardsonian Romanesque Architectural is rare…there are few that exist within the USA. Fewer that are done well. There are none like Houston’s Romanov…
The Romanov Estate sits on a coveted, private, secluded incredible nine acres in the heart of Houston’s wealthiest zip code. An economy fueled by the energy business and a myriad of cultures. Sports teams, real estate and political force all underpinned historically by Oil & Gas. There is a conflux of quiet seasoned wealth and now new money, via a variety of entrepreneurial industry sectors such as renewables, entertainment and technology.
Set within the acclaimed Hunter’s Creek Village, the elevated estate is surrounded by a moat on three sides; a horseshoe bend of the 18,000-year-old legendary Buffalo Bayou (The Romanov is one of few estates sustaining zero problems in the recent floods). It is also buffered by the expansive green space of the Houston Country Club and all of it, takes in the vibrant Houston skyline. Accessed only via a secured gate of a private cul de sac, the secluded, mysterious and dramatic estate resembles a stately presence more akin to a fortified French chateau or English castle likewise surrounded by moats and incredible grounds. Like any centuries old estate, the property exudes a quiet, patient and impressive grandeur. A true and timeless presence honed through an impeccable and careful mix and seamless grafts of limestone, steel and concrete. The result is an efficient, modern and very private entertainer’s home and a fortified masterpiece, which is designed and built to last for 100’s of years to come.
WWW.ICON.GLOBAL/ROMANOV
The Romanov is an architectural, design and builder/construction marvel that has long been the subject of community mystery and enviable comment. The interior of the home has never been shown nor open to the public (and won’t be). It has not ever been for sale until now. It is available, confidentially priced via strict pre-qualified request only. Exclusively by The Icon Global Group
The estate exudes privacy, charm, serenity, security and prominence. It carries an understated elegance and simplicity yet is sophisticated in its design and intentions of use and comfort. It is riddled with high tech, security functions, incredible one of a kind custom / handmade finishes, architectural details with amenities ahead of its time; all the while remaining timeless.
Six years in construction, and completed in 2005, the 22,000 SQFT masterpiece is complemented by The Lodge; a separate 3,500 SQFT guest home, complete with its own spacious private, 5-acre grounds. Once the site of Houston’s original hunting lodge and even a fabled exotic birdcage folly, the lodge site itself is rife with its own legacy including being a favored escape for Houstonian rebel youth of that era. A hideout, sans adult supervision!
The accomplishment began with architect, Ken Newberry, and a submersion into what would become a carefully choreographed abyss of ideas brought to life by Newberry’s pencil and perfected by builder, Jeff Thompson, and construction supervisor extraordinaire, Mike Timmons.
The cornerstone to Colleen Romanov’s dream would be utilizing authentic Indiana limestone construction. Original machine cut blocks, a minimum of 12” thick (no veneers) were crafted by none other than the renowned Bybee quarries from her native state. (These authentic limestone blocks also breath and capture efficiently circulated radiant energy throughout, ensuring a cool home and low energy bills in the summer and high heat retention in the winter).
Romanov wanted old, hand-crafted, hand cut stone. “Like that used in the university buildings of New York and Chicago, like the Empire State Building, the Vanderbilt and Wrigley estates and other world landmarks, such as the Pentagon.”
Indeed, that is precisely what she got! The US Government came calling and for a period, halting The Romanov construction after the terrorist attack on the Pentagon in 2001. They needed all available limestone from the quarry and diverted all production to rebuild. The Romanov had to wait…
“As an architect doing work for over 35 years across the United States and in several other countries around the world, I will tell you that the Romanov in Houston, Texas is one of the most extraordinary houses anyone may ever see”-- Ken Newberry.
So, while work was temporarily delayed, Romanov took off on a year-long European sojourn with two antique and interior design experts on a substantial buying tour across Europe. Antiques and architecturals included and incorporated into the design build came from (to name a few): Paris, Marche aux Puces de Paris Saint- Ocen 1870, stores across Germany, Medussa in Belgium, and Heist op-den Berg outside of Antwerp, across Holland as well as throughout England, including the Cotswolds. Except for a single custom built walk in fireplace, four of five equisite mantels came from European castles and manor houses.
Privacy and security amenities are many…Intricate and impeccable details, finishes and technologies are incredible, while old-world class architecturals are far too many to list. It is intentionally and distinctly, a One of One!