A Landmark Sale in Shadyside

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Shadyside, Houston, TX - (November 2008) - Two talented John Daugherty, Realtors agents, Rosie Meyers and Dianne McDonough, were responsible for selling one of the most expensive homes listed in Houston in 2008. The stunning 1920s house, which was designed by noted architects Harrie Lindeberg and John Staub (Lindeberg’s protégée at the time), is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was on the market for just 41 days.

“This was an exceptional listing—a stately historic estate in a private area that was created by some of the city’s founding fathers. It’s a rare find in Houston,” says Rosie Meyers, who represented the sellers. “The former owners are wonderful people who lived in the house for 11 years. They listed the house because their children were nearly grown, and they were ready to move on.”

The home, known as the D.D. Peden house (after the original owner, a local wholesale merchant), is located in the exclusive Shadyside area. The classical design is scaled for formal entertaining and includes a 24-foot-by-36-foot living room, eight bedrooms, eight full and two half baths, a dramatic entrance hall with floating staircase, a garden/media room, a library, a gourmet kitchen with Viking/Sub-Zero appliances, and a wine cellar. It boasts several original features, such as some of the wallpaper and a crystal chandelier just to name a few. The 1.7-acre, beautifully landscaped grounds have a formal garden and greenhouse, a carriage house with staff quarters and a new pool and pool house constructed in 2002. A circa 1950s addition was designed by John Staub. The new owners have access to all of the original architectural plans, which were found in the basement.

Shadyside, one of Houston’s most luxurious addresses, is a place of quiet grace. The 40-acre neighborhood, developed in 1916 by Joseph Stephen Cullinan, founder of Standard Oil (now known as Texaco), is where some of Houston’s most distinguished citizens call home. In 1983, Shadyside residents bought the area from the city and closed off all of the entrances except one. The gated community and the homes within it are impeccably cared for.

Dianne McDonough, who assisted the buyers, says that they immediately fell in love with the palatial D.D. Peden estate. “The owner and his wife thought that a high-rise was ideal for their lifestyle. They had no intention of buying a single-family home,” she says. “Then they saw a picture of the house in a luxury real estate magazine. They immediately had me show it to them and bought it the next day. They plan to make renovations, but the renovations will be perfect: very fitting to the original look.”

“We were proud to have been selected to market this exceptional home.  The professionalism of our two sales associates was without equal and led to the incredibly fast and successful transaction,” said John A. Daugherty, Jr., President of John Daugherty, Realtors.  “We have been selling Houston’s luxury homes for 42 years and value the trust so many sellers and buyers place with us and we work hard to keep it.”