Convenience Big Store: The new 'must have' amenity for Houston mansions

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Homeowner Richard Holmes with his electrician, Rich Gillette of John Moore Services, explaining how the large in-home generator works at his home on Saturday, June 1, 2024, in Houston.

Whole-home generator demand grows for Houston luxury buyers

Has the whole-home generator become a "must have" on buyers' wish lists?

For a growing number of luxury home buyers, the answer is yes.

The equipment, which can cost up to $40,000, is increasingly seen as a necessity by well-heeled residents who are concerned about natural disasters and power outages, writes colleague Marissa Luck.

One Realtor said many affluent buyers are starting to expect a generator as they would a pool or an elevator. And they're standard issue for one builder on the speculative mansions he builds in the Memorial area.

"It's become a requirement," said Charles Chapman of Corinthian Contracting. "When you're dealing with someone that has $5 million-plus they can put on a home, they're discerning."

Katherine Feser, Real estate reporter

katherine.feser@houstonchronicle.com

Commercial

An aerial view of East River near downtown Houston.

Photo by: Courtesy Of East River

East River near downtown lands major office tenant

Orion Group Holdings, a specialty construction company, leased one of the last big office spaces available in phase one.

In 2020, architect Brooks Howell, who has experience in converting commercial properties, showed a former Days Inn to a prospective buyer. The building is a good depth for apartments, Howell said, though eight-foot ceilings would mean such apartments would likely target a workforce, rather than a luxury, consumer.

Photo by: Brooks Howell

What's the story behind the windowless high-rise in downtown Houston?

In 1972, the space- and race-car-themed Holiday Inn was the largest in the continental U.S. Later; it was owned by the Beatles' guru. Now, a shell of its former self, it awaits reinvention.

Conroe has three 'monopines' which are cell towers meant to blend into the landscape disguised as pine trees while bringing greater cellular coverage to the city. This one is on South Main Street.

Photo by: Photo By Sondra Hernandez

Conroe has three towers disguised as trees. What are they for?

They are Conroe's pine trees that aren't trees as all. Within Loop 336, the city of Conroe has three "monopine" cell towers that are disguised as pine trees to fit into the natural landscape.

Memorial Hermann Hospital The Woodlands is shown on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 in The Woodlands.

Photo by: Brett Coomer, Staff Photographer

Woodlands' medical expansion continues with 5 new and upcoming developments

From a Memorial Hermann expansion to new mental and physical health treatment centers in Creekside Park, Town Center and Sterling Ridge and west Woodlands, health care is growing in The Woodlands.