Inside the Lodge at Hunters Creek

Tucked amid groves of oaks and pines in a curve of Buffalo Bayou, in the Memorial area of Houston, this 8.97-acre estate is an inspiring setting. Its peacefulness, however, belies the elegance of the structures at its heart—a majestic 16,611-square-foot residence and a two-bedroom French country–inspired guesthouse—as well as the skyscrapers of the city’s ever-expanding skyline, which skirts the distant horizon.

Houston, Texas | Walter Bering, Mary Elizabeth Hahnfeld, Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty

The current owner of the Lodge at Hunters Creek collaborated with architect Ken Newberry to design the extraordinary home, which was inspired by such landmarks as the Hearst Castle and the Biltmore Estate. Beyond a stately façade of Indiana limestone, steel, and concrete, its interiors are filled with eye-catching architectural details and antique elements, including breathtaking ornamental ceilings, elaborately carved “walk-in” fireplaces, dazzling light fixtures, and captivating decorative woodwork. The limestone alone is impressive, sourced as it was from the quarry that supplied the Empire State Building and the Pentagon.

The alluring interior spaces—which include six bedroom suites—are almost too numerous to mention. The double-height library features richly hued paneling, striking parquetry with marble inlays, and an ornately detailed spiral stairway imported from Paris. The sunroom-like lounge and billiards room includes an embellished cocktail bar, a wine-tasting room, and artful floor-to-ceiling windows offering a mesmerizing view. Other highlights include a light-filled formal dining room overlooking the grounds and a distinctively detailed chef’s kitchen with a windowed breakfast area. The spacious family room features walls of glass that create an effortless indoor-outdoor flow. Auto aficionados will appreciate the five-car showcase garage.

While the main residence brings to mind a majestic Old World manor, the two-bedroom guesthouse has the feel of a retreat in the French countryside. It boasts an inviting screened porch with a fireplace and its own refreshing private pool deck that gazes out over the bayou and through the woods to the golf course of the Houston Country Club. The gravel drive that leads to both homes is a welcome change from the paved driveways and asphalt thoroughfares of the city. Between the homes and thickets of towering trees are areas of lush lawn.

Spectacular in their own right, the grounds rival an expansive private park—impeccably designed, meticulously manicured, and featuring fountains, terraces, garden beds, and pathways, all surrounded by greenery. The centerpiece is a unique infinity-edge pool and spa accompanied by a skylit pavilion with a bar, a built-in grilling area, a lounge with a fire table—one of several on the property—and a bath with a shower. Further afield is a versatile sports court. High above the bayou, a stone-paved overlook affords views of the bayou, abundant greenery, and dramatic sunsets, while other private spots with fire pits are set amid the woods, overlooking the bayou as it meanders through the leisurely neighborhoods of Houston.