Galveston home offers rich history, design

Surrounded by natural beauty and some of the most intriguing homes and historic sites, this Galveston Victorian home and the property on which is sits offer an amazing history.

Listed by Marsha Schenau of Heritage Texas Properties, this four-story home originally was built in the 1890s by architect George B. Stowe on land that was once owned by Gail Borden (founder of the Borden Milk Company, co-founder of the Galveston Daily News and inventor of condensed milk), and survived the Great 1900 storm that nearly wiped out Galveston Island. After the storm, the home was raised on brick pillars and concrete to include a first floor that not only enhanced the elevation but created a true first floor that adds a significant amount of square footage to its overall size.

An impressive concrete staircase leads to a wrap-around porch and the second or main living level of the home.

Some of the many extraordinary aspects of this home are its beauty and historical preservation. The current owners, who are only the fourth owners, have meticulously preserved the integrity of its historic architecture and style but enhanced overall comfort and function by adding five zones of central air conditioning, converting the original gas light fixtures (sconces and chandeliers) to electric, upgrading bathroom fixtures while maintaining the original tile and trim work, replacing the original windows with nonbreakable glass windows, adding an alarm system and updating the kitchen.

The huge reception hall or main entry of the home immediately reveals some of the many architectural details that are found throughout. With plenty of space for a large gathering and multiple seating areas, the reception hall is highlighted by views of the grand main staircase and large projection balcony that overlooks the area. Aseparate stairway off the reception hall leads to the side, or carriage, entrance and continues to the first floor.

The one-of-a-kind main staircase leading to the secondfloor living areas and bedrooms, begins with a bronze statue of the French Art Nouveau Libelle surrounded by illuminated sea flowers, set atop a bronze newel post. The home’s Art Nouveau theme is inspired by this statue and is reflected in features throughout that include stained glass, light fixtures and even in the ornamental details surrounding the many different fireplaces.

Just off the reception area is the formal living room, with a fireplace, windows and scenic views. One of the most interesting areas of the living room is the original hand-painted wall that reflects that Art Nouveau theme.

Awide-cased opening from the living room leads to the library that is adorned with beautiful built-in bookcases, ornate trim work, wainscoting, French Art Nouveau sconces and chandelier, and floor-to-ceiling windows that can be opened to the expansive porch. Pocket doors in the library open to or separate the library and formal dining room.

Comfortably seating 24, the formal has one of the home’s distinctive fireplaces, the original sea grape chandelier and access to the kitchen.

The reception hall, which extends past cased openings to the living room, library and dining room, also has access to a large powder bath that is reminiscent of a classic parlor bath.

The reception hall ends at wide-cased opening that leads to a hallway with the back staircase and a separate sitting area, and an access to the kitchen.

Located in the back of the home, the comfortable sitting area features the home’s original brick that once connected to a ground floor pot belly stove in the early 1900s; a beautiful stained-glass window and one of the many transom doors that are found throughout the home.

The kitchen has been updated to include a center island, granite countertops, beautiful custom cabinetry, a built-in microwave, quality hardware, a deep copper sink, a sixburner stainless-steel Dacor range and a large breakfast area.

The third floor or bedroom level of the home features a huge open landing and sitting/living area and floor-to-ceiling windows that open to the third-floor wraparound porch.

The master bedroom (which could be one of two in this home) is large and bright; has separate entry doors, each with glass transoms; a fireplace; and two separate full bathrooms — one that is directly off the bedroom and the other that is located off a connecting sitting area/nursery/office that has access to a large closet.

Showcasing a design flow that was common in Victorian homes of the era in which this home was built, the bedrooms all have their own main entrances, yet are connected with one another.

The home’s second bedroom, which could easily be used as another master bedroom suite, has its own private full bath. The third upstairs bedroom, also spacious, features a hand-painted canvas ceiling.

Adoor from the main hallway leads to a separate wing with the fourth bedroom, full bath, back staircase and a separate staircase that leads to the fourth floor. The fourthlevel floored attic space has separate storage rooms or areas off the main area.

The first floor or ground floor, which was added by the original owner after the 1900 storm, has a concrete floor and multiple mixed-use areas including a separate game room that is large enough to accommodate a billiards table, bar and numerous seating areas.

Separate from the main house is a building that is the original carriage master’s house that includes a garage and covered parking with enough space to accommodate five cars, and the carriage master’s quarters.

This area has been updated to include a full kitchen, a full bath and a living area, making it an ideal guest suite.

Some of the many other notable features in this home include the solid oak original floors, beadboard, ornate trim work reflected in the moldings, wainscot, built-ins and the exterior, a slate roof, single or double transoms over all of the doors, stained-glass windows, and the outdoor entertaining possibilities on the second and third-level porches.

The second or main living floor and third-floor bedroom level offer more than 6,200 square feet of living space. With four bedrooms, 5½ baths and a separate guest or carriage house, this home is priced at $2,250,000.

For information, visit mschenau@heritagetexas.com.