The Romanov in Houston, Texas is one of the most extraordinary houses anyone may ever see

 

The enormous, secluded, nine-acre Romanov Estate compound sits in the heart of Hunters Creek Village and is within Houston‘s wealthiest zip code.

Most Expensive Private Compound in Houston Hits Market for First Time.

The 22,000 SQFT luxury home is complemented by a 3,500 SQFT guest lodge in its own private 5-acre setting. The
prominent, elevated, 9-acre estate is surrounded on three sides by a moat of the 18,000-year-old Buffalo Bayou and
buffered by the expansive grounds of the Houston Country Club. It is only entered via a private, secured gate in a
cul-de-sac. All of it takes in the Houston skyline.

A Richardsonian Romanesque is rare and very few exist in the USA. The Romanov draws influences from a series
of other renowned estates in America, such as the Wrigley, and Vanderbilt mansions, as well as construction
elements from the University of Indiana’s limestone buildings, and even the Pentagon. Construction includes hand
cut limestone blocks a minimum of 12 inches thick.

Six years in construction and finished in 2005, The Romanov is a skillfully crafted work of steel, concrete, and
custom hand cut limestone from Indiana. Progress on the build was halted after the 9/11 attacks. The US
Government required, and thus diverted, all the available limestone from the renowned Bybee quarries of Indiana to
be redirected from the Romanov for the Pentagon rebuild.

In addition to interior architecturals sourced across Europe, the estate is replete with truly custom and hand-built
finishes, including a wrought iron elevator, interior railings and chandeliers. Energy efficiencies, embedded
technology, and privacy features are as equally timeless as the entire estate.

“As an architect doing work for over 35 years across the United States and in several other countries around the world, I will tell you that The Romanov in Houston, Texas is one of the most extraordinary houses anyone may ever see,” said acclaimed architect Ken Newberry.

“While the exterior was influenced and follows the aesthetic of the Richardsonian Romanesque style there are also elements throughout inspired by trips to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina and Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California. Like Hearst Castle, the interior of the home incorporates architectural elements personally selected by the client and shipped from England, France, Belgium and Italy,” added Newberry.

“For some of the more formal rooms, we cast our own trim of bronze buttons for controlling the lights. There are carvings in wood, stone, and metal that were the result of hundreds of hours of work.” Builder Jeff Thomsen.