Houston’s Most Stunning Downtown Homes

Gleaming New High-Rise Retreats and Historic Perches Shown Off in New Downtown Home Tour

BY Shelby Hodge // 03.22.19

Save Article

500 Crawford is within a stone's throw of Minute Maid park and only a few blocks from Toyota Center. (Photo by Jenn Duncan)

Dr. Richard Harris calls the 500 Crawford fourth floor rental home. (Courtesy photo)

The sleek decor speaks to the contemporary esthetic of the 500 Crawford apartment.

The bedroom in the 500 Crawford apartment is larger than many in downtown apartments.

500 Crawford is a special place for urbanites.

The historic W.L. Foley Building embraces a funky esthetic.

Dan Tidewll and Jamie Mize share the second floor apartment with 12-foot ceilings in the W.L. Foley building.

Most recently the W.L. Foley building was home to DiverseWorks.

A modern mural stretches across the brick wall in the living area of this W.L. Foley Building apartment.

It's no surprise that Jackie Traywick, chief operating officer of the Houston Downtown Management District, chose a residence in 77002. (Photo by Jackie Traywick)

A vertical fireplace adds glamour to this St. Germain reidence.

Corner apartments, this one in the St. Germain, are the best. (Photo by Jackie Traywick)

Downtown views from the bedroom add appeal to this dwelling in the St. Germain. (Photo by Jackie Traywick)

The St. Germain loft kitchen is a modern beauty. (Photo by Jackie Traywick)

At 1745 Texas Avenue, the spanking new Catalyst was designed to feel sleek and modern with the balcony as a bonus. (Courtesy of Catalyst)

Catalyst residences include with wide plank flooring, stainless steel appliances and floor to ceiling windows. (Courtesy of Catalyst)

Every inch speaks 21st century at the Catalyst. (Courtesy of Catalyst)

Love the views from apartments in Catalyst. (Courtesy Catalyst)

No car necessary at Block 334 with METRO just outside the front door.

This fifth floor apartment in Block 334 has a pool view.

A comfortable bath and walk-in closet in Block 334.

This fifth floor residence in Block 334 overlooks the ever-growing east side of downtown.

Even the pool at Block 334 has sight lines to the downtown skyline.

Ruth and Jack Elvig moved to the fifth floor of Bayou Lofts after retirement in order to be 'where the action is.'

The Elvigs create a traditional warmth in their Bayou Lofts pied-a-terre.

Homey touches and crimson walls fill the Bayou Lofts apartment with special warmth.

This antique clock finds a welcome space in this Bayou Lofts residence.

500 Crawford is within a stone's throw of Minute Maid park and only a few blocks from Toyota Center. (Photo by Jenn Duncan)

From spanking new luxury aeries to renovated historic buildings, the Houston Downtown Management District is showing off some of the most interesting uber-urban dwellings during its March 30 Downtown Houston Home Tour.

Six residences will be on view. Some are models for sale and others for rent. Others are homes of downtown dwellers. On the tour are residences at Catalyst, Block 334, 500 Crawford, Bayou Lofts, W.L. Foley Building and the St. Germain Lofts. Among these the Catalyst, a rental property, is spanking new while the St. Germain Lofts, circa 1918, is a condominium development that boasts listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

More than just a home tour, this peek into sophisticated living includes a bonus for ticket holders as they will qualify for special offers all weekend long at area bars and restaurants. The list where those joining the tour includes Birraporetti’s Downtown, Bovine & Barley, Craft Beer Cellar, Coterie, Dean’s Downtown, House of Blues Restaurant & Bar, Houston Watch Company, Kanaloa, La Calle, La Fisheria, The Lake House, Local Foods Downtown and Xochi.

Park only once and the City of Houston takes care of the remainder of your transport with free passage between the residences via Greenlink, a circulator operated by the Downtown District and METRO.

Tickets are $25 in advance, and $35 on the day of with a portion of proceeds going to the Coalition for the Homeless Houston/Harris County. For tickets, you’ll need to check in at Heritage Texas Properties in the W.L. Foley Building at 214 Travis. Participants can pick up $5 parking vouchers at Heritage Texas for parking in the One Market Square garage at 800 Preston. Advance ticket purchases are available here.

Stories behind the residences:

Elizabeth Anthony

Swipe

ASSAEL

OLYMPIA LE-TAN

EMILY P. WHEELER

MARIA OLIVER

KATHERINE JETTER

MEREDITH YOUNG

LEIGH MAXWELL

MEREDITH YOUNG

500 Crawford

Dr. Richard Harris, an internist emergency room doctor at Memorial Hermann, moved to the fourth floor of the luxury rental tower in 2018 and has never looked back. Harris says that he moved downtown for the lifestyle and great food.

He can walk to House of Blues, which he frequents, and to Toyota Center where he has season tickets to the Houston Rockets.

Block 334

Opening her fifth floor abode, Courtney Kilgore is assistant manager of the property which is a revival, mid-rise luxury rental apartment building in downtown’s emerging southern neighborhood. She’s sold on downtown living, noting that the locale has elevated her social life as she finds herself entertaining more often and meeting new people when exploring downtown.

And she can walk to Rockets and Astros games without breaking a sweat — except, of course, during the summer.

Catalyst

Located in the heart of downtown, this brand new building featuries 361 rental apartments with hardwood floors, quartz countertops, 10- to 16-foot ceilings and views of downtown. After years of a long-distance relationship, Keith Alkek, CEO of Speragen, and Rachel Meidl, Ph.D., a fellow at Rice University’s James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, set up housekeeping together in their 14th floor Catalyst home.

They say they were drawn here due to the variety of experiences downtown Houston holds.

Catalyst 03_Photo courtesy of Catalyst — Catalyst

Bayou Lofts

It’s not only millennials basking in the bright lights of downtown. Ruth and Jack Elvig moved to the fifth floor of Bayou Lofts after retirement in order to be “where the action is.” Jack Elvig explains, “We like the variety of activity at our doorstep. There’s always something different to do. It’s just exciting.

“We love being able to take our grandkids to arts experiences like The Nutcracker and Garrison Keillor.”

The W.L. Foley Building

After surviving three fires since its building in 1888, the structure was purchased by Dan Tidwell, Jamie Mize and three friends in 1995 and renovated to today house Heritage Texas Properties’ downtown headquarters as well as two second floor apartments with 12-foot ceilings, original windows and long-leaf pine floors. Tidwell and Mize call one of these home and tour-goers are invited to take a peek.

W.L. Foley Building 01_Photo courtesy of Dan Tidwell and Jamie Mize — Dan Tidewll and Jamie Mize share the second floor apartment with 12-foot ceilings in the W.L. Foley building.

St. Germain Lofts

Industrial chic best describes this condominium property that features exposed concrete, hardwood floors, open floor plans, large windows and views of downtown. Jackie Traywick, chief operating officer of the Houston Downtown Management District, opens up her seventh floor corner unit with a great view of downtown for the tour.