Houston, Texas — Stone Castle

This 25,000-SF design was conceived for a property of 50+ acres, makes a wonderful equestrian estate. Houston, Texas is big enough for this stone castle with seven-turrets and five-European styled six-story brick and limestone chimneys. The seven-ensuite bedrooms and two-master bedroom two-story suites' design has 11-full and five-partial baths, is a state-of-the-art 'smart house.' High efficiency mechanical equipment and auxiliary power are controlled from the rear entry security-live-in gatehouse, which is also the entrance for a 12-car underground garage. English rear-yard formal gardens, two-fountains and loggias anchor the symmetry and perimeter stonewalls. The front entrance Porte-Cochére cobblestone auto-court entry is highlighted with a Fontaine des Mers inspired fountain with entrance to underground garage.

Three-stories of terraces extends outside living to the interior rooms including the top terraces' master-suite turret with outdoor fireplace and covered-loggia. The middle terrace turret has the second master-suite with floor to ceiling windows, covered loggia and surrounding balconies. The first level terrace's glass-domed pavilions and French doors surround an indoor pool, spa, steam, sauna, massage and gym rooms, give access to the surrounding outside balconies and English formal garden.

Hand-chiseled hammered stone construction with custom Sun Precast cast-limestone window and door surrounds achieve timelessness, making this residence look as it was built centuries ago. White River Hardwoods - mouldings and hand carved architectural woodcarvings' interior décor details of master millwork and design combinations ornately embellish the great room, formal dining and living rooms, two-story hand-carved wood paneled library, sewing and crafts rooms with spiral staircases. Home theater, elevator, state-of-the-art eat-in chef's island kitchen, serving kitchen, butler's pantry, wine cellar and other customized options are available for the client who builds this castle. A special feature of the castle design is its 3,000-SF Romanesque columned pool/spa, 14-foot vaulted domed ceiling with Walker Zanger limestone flooring, decorative limestone cast vases-French doors open to the English garden and outside surrounding balconies.