Inside a $18.9 Million River Oaks Mansion That Puts Houston Preservation First — a John Staub Stunner Is Beautifully Restored

Sunny and Larry Brookshire won the hearts of Houston architectural conservationists with their masterful restoration of the Clarence M. Frost house at 2110 River Oaks Boulevard, a stunning Tudor/Jacobean dwelling designed by noted Houston architect John F. Staub. With the passing last year of Larry Brookshire, the CEO of Fisk Electric, the historic home with two adjacent additions has been placed for sale with Laura Sweeney of Compass.

The asking price? A cool $18,900,000.

Gracefully situated across more than 1.6 acres, this River Oaks estate includes the original residence, which measures in at 9,4238 square feet; a 978-square-foot poolside entertainment pavilion; and a two bedroom guest apartment that’s 1,484 square feet on its own, sitting above the four-car garage.

The careful restoration was in the talented hands of respected Houston architect Martha Bute in collaboration with New York interior designer Bruce Budd, who was Bunny Mellon‘s designer. McDugald Steele handled the verdant landscaping that unites the three structures of this magnum opus of a River Oaks mansion in beautiful harmony. The grounds are full landscaped in park-like perfection including a tiered lawn leading to the pool and an elevated spa.

From a central stretch of the lawn, a dreamy water feature begins in a circular fountain that serpentines as a stream that ends in a circular pool in one of the home’s verdant courtyards.

The house has enjoyed a certain design notoriety, according to PaperCity contributor Anne Lee Phillips. She notes that 2110 River Oaks Boulevard was featured by writer Mitchell Owens in Architectural Digest and the paneled library is included in the book Interiors, The Greatest Rooms of the Century.

Built in 1938, the original house boasts two staircases, five generously sized bedrooms, four beautiful full bathrooms, and two half baths. A game room, a wine room, five fireplaces and a basement also beckon. The house is served by a full generator. The property also comes full fenced with automatic gates.

The full Compass listing can be found here.