Bay Area residents will have an opportunity to see inside the beautiful Jim West Mansion on NASA Parkway as it will be on the Houston Symphony League Bay Area’s 13th Annual “Day by the Bay” Home Tour Saturday and Sunday, March 22 and 23, from noon to 5 p.m.
The West Mansion, one of six structures on the tour, has an Italian Renaissance elevation designed by Joseph Finger in 1929 and built in 1930 with Art Deco designs in the bathrooms, Palm room, sun and family rooms. The wood craftsmanship, the Venetian tiles, ceiling, and the view from the top of the stairs are such a tribute to that bygone era.
Jim West was an oil and cattle baron who owned much of what is now the Clear Lake area. Many of the original materials are still in the building because it was protected by the Historic Society until Hall of Fame basketball star Hakeem Olajuwon bought it for retail purposes and named it “Dr34M.”
Another home on the tour is a church home that was the original Webster Presbyterian Church (1911) and today is the Bay Area Museum, often referred to as “The Little White Church in the Park.” It’s in Clear Lake Park next door to the West Mansion and will be open for the tour.
Four other homes that are “younger” will be available, three in the Timber Cove section of Taylor Lake Village and one in Bayview. These homes incurred damages from Ike, and one was redesigned when it needed rebuilding in the owner’s “vision.” The homes are truly unique, waterfront homes that have different styles, elevations, and designs. Don’t miss the opportunity to view the different decades of home building, furnishings, accessories, construction, etc.
A pre-tour party will kick off the Home Tour Friday, March 21. Tickets are $75 per person, which includes the tour.
Tickets for the tour are $15/$20 at the door for viewing all six structures, and may be purchased from Symphony League members, at Unexpected Interiors in Historic League City; Nassau Postal, 957 NASA Parkway; Casanova’s Downfall and Arlan’s Market on NASA Parkway, Seabrook; Marci’s Consignments, 18049 Upper Bay Road, Nassau Bay; and Island Furniture, 4101 NASA Parkway, El Lago.
