HSLBA Home Tour 2016

Click Here to Order Tickets On-Line

March 5-6, 2016 (Noon - 5:00 PM)

Tour of five homes in the Clear Lake Area

 

The Houston Symphony League Bay Area’s 15th Annual Day by the Bay Home Tour is Saturday and Sunday, March 5-6 from noon-5PM both days. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the doors of the homes. A pre-tour party will be held on Friday, March 4 with tickets at $75/person—ticket includes pre-tour party and all the homes. There are five homes on the tour.

Two of the homes are in the Historic District of League City: one was originally constructed in 1908 from lumber salvaged from the Great Hurricane of 1900 in Galveston. The owners have enlarged the home, stayed true to the colors, and milled moldings and frames when they were not available for purchase. Inspired by the historic homes in Galveston, this cottage-like home is a labor of love. The other home is a hidden gem in the area-- the West Bay Common School Children’s Museum which is faithful to the period in which it was built. A one-room school it has desks, a podium, and chalkboard that could have been in any Texas school. It was also the garage for the only school bus in League City in the past.

Two homes are in Nassau Bay: one was designed by architect Clovis B. Heimsath and was unique in that its design was “open” concept. Living areas are in the center with private areas at each of the corners of the home. The home appeared in the Architectural Record of Houses, l966. Astronaut Charlie Bassett and his wife were the original owners. The house has been updated and the design has stood the test of time providing variety and spaciousness. The other Nassau Bay home has a premier view overlooking Clear Lake. Originally constructed in 1977 it has been extensively remodeled during the mid-1980s and 1990s. Entertaining is easily accomplished in the open floor plan downstairs, two wet bars, a backyard barbeque, ample game room and large deck—even a wedding for 80 guests. Outstanding features include a sweeping staircase to the gourmet kitchen at the front of the house and over 6000 sq. ft. of space plus the large deck.

An El Lago/Seabrook residence boasts a superb view of Taylor Lake and an Olympic-sized pool. Splendidly furnished with a combination of modern and vintage pieces and an incredible art collection, the first floor includes a recognized water colorist studio with exceptional works—also art work is displayed on the other two floors. The owner’s personality is reflected in the humor and character of the pieces in the home.


 

Pre-tour Party Home (16310 Brook Forest Dr., Houston)

A pre-tour party will kick-off the home tour on Friday, March 4 (6:30-8:30).  Tickets are $75 per person, which includes the tour.  The pre-tour party home's décor is an artistic mix of styles and materials while staying true to the owners' love of wildlife.


Tickets for the tour are $15 in advance and $20 at the door for viewing all five structures.  They may be purchased on-line and may be purchased from:

  Arlan's (4614 NASA Rd. 1, Seabrook)
  Casanova's downfall (4630 NASA Pkwy., Seabrook)
  Adelaide's (14870 Space Center Blvd., Houston)
  Nassau Postal (957 E. NASA Pkwy., Houston)
  Unexpected Interiors (613 E. Main St., League City)
  Clotheshorse (809 E. Main Street, League City)

 

Tour Homes

(Click on Address to see map)

  

#1 Nassau Bay (18714 Point Lookout, Houston): In Nassau Bay there are many homes that are being lifted due to the damages suffered from Ike; but, there are two distinctive ones that are on the tour this year. In the time of Hansel and Gretel, Old English and Danish Modern, the architecture of this home was most unique and ahead of its time. The architect, Clovis B. Heimsath, and design were featured in the Architectural Record of Houses, 1966. “A rhythmical design centers on an open plan great hall for the living areas, surrounded by closed, private rooms at each of the four corners the house.” The original owners were Captain and Mrs. Charlie Bassett. Captain Bassett was in the third group of astronauts chosen by NASA in 1963 for the Gemini and Apollo missions. While updated, the original design has stood the test of time and the house remains true to its original design providing variety and spaciousness. The original architect and his architect son, plan to be at the home during the tour.

#2 Nassau Bay (18506 Upper Bay Rd., Houston): A premier property in Nassau Bay with an uninterrupted view of Clear Lake, the home was originally constructed in l977, then extensively remodeled by the second owners during the mid-1980s and 1990s. With large rooms and an open floor plan downstairs, guests consider the house “cozy in a big sort of way”. Two wet bars, a backyard barbeque, an ample game room, and a large deck cause the current owners to call it the Party Palace. Entertaining includes annual parties for holidays, football games, and a salmon barbeque: special events have ranged from parties for spacecraft engineering colleagues to a wedding for 80 guests. For the Home Tour, rooms in the house will feature decorations for various regular annual parties. The first two owners spared no expense and incorporated every feature from sweeping staircase to gourmet kitchen in the front of the house (so the cook can view the water), and a master suite featured in a book on architectural lighting. The current owners restored the first floor and added a few improvements after extensive storm surge damage from Hurricane Ike. The home includes over 6000 square feet of space plus the large deck.

#3 League City (620 3rd Street, League City): Like many homes in the League City Historic District, this original home was constructed in 1908 from lumber (cypress) salvaged from the Great Hurricane of 1900 in Galveston. The owners have made significant improvements including enlarging the home, but have stayed true to the period with colors, style and décor. Unable to purchase moldings and frames representative of the period, the owner milled them in his shop. The décor was created by the owner, a master craftsman, who was inspired by beautiful pieces in historic Galveston homes. Even the landscaping, which includes a foot bridge and gazebo, is true to the period.
 
 

#4 League City (210 North Kansas, League City): A hidden treasure of the Bay Area, West Bay Common School Children’s Museum features a one-room schoolhouse on property originally home to the first school in League City. While the building is not original to League City, it is an original Texas one-room school lovingly moved to League City. Desks, chalkboard, stove and teacher’s desk/podium are faithful to the period. Guests are able to “be” one of the students. Once serving as the garage for the one and only school bus in League City, the museum is a treasure trove of articles typical of the period of the school and even boasts a workable player piano!

#5 Taylor Lake Village (125 Cedar Lane, Seabrook): The residence in El Lago boasts a superb view of Taylor Lake and an Olympic-sized pool. The home is splendidly furnished with a combination of modern and vintage pieces and an incredible art collection. The first floor includes a recognized water colorist studio resplendent with exceptional works—also art works are on display throughout the other two stories. The personality of the owner is apparent in the humor and character of the pieces in the home.