Thoughts on Robindell (Houston, Princeton, Memphis: sale, houses, neighborhoods)

[samarai]

What are some thoughts on Robindell? Near N. Braeswood and Hillcroft. It seems to be insulated from the rough edged neighborhoods. There are lots of families and has a very active HOA. The houses are modest but there are some cool mid century modern gems. Any thoughts?

[modster]

The draw of the mid-century modern architecture will bode well for Robindell, it is already bolstering it some. Houston Mod has done a couple of mod of the month open houses there (like the one yesterday in my hood), and it tends to be on the radar for those seeking an architecturally compelling mid-century modern at an entry level price.

Many of the homes were designed by William Floyd, who is known for a lot of the mod houses in Memorial Bend. He owned the Robindell lumber company and developed many of those. He is a respected Architect on the mid-century moderns.

Obviously the sections closer to Braeswood are nicer than the parts closer to Beechnut. The other thing Robindell has going for it is it is on Braeswood and you have that nice approach through Meyerland and Maplewood. It doesn't carry the stigma that right or wrong seems to cling to the Sharpstown name for a lot of people.

[icon7]

Close to 59 & 10-15 minutes to downtown. I had a friend that purchased a home about 10 years ago there and it has doubled. There are a few rental, but I believe that Robindell will hold it's value. One thing to watch for, foundations work and flood zones.

[samarai]

It also has a great neighborhood feel to it. As for the MCM fans, I saw this one recently on HAR:

9006 Dunlap St, Houston, TX 77074

[icon7]

That one seems pretty expensive for the area. Most the listing are 110-130K
also note that if you have children I would recommend private schools or another area.

[samarai]

It definitely is on the high end for Robindell. Most of the homes I've seen top out at 150 k.

[modster]

That one was a mod of the month I think, I didn't go, but from what I understand a Designer of some sort went in and totally restored it, so it should be very nice inside.

If you are looking for a mod, I do know of a really good MCM coming up, albeit with lots and lots of deferred maintenance. They were having an estate sale there the end of last week that I went to. It was a 1956 show house as part of the Greater Houston Builders Association Parade of Homes program for that year. I did a little research on it and it was designed by an Architect during his Senior year at Rice U. The design won some sort of competition. He went on to get a Masters from Princeton and opened his own firm in Memphis where he was very successful and did some fairly major projects. The Architect also won an award of some kind from Rice in 1960. It will need EVERYTHING in the world done to it, but it is all original and will probably only be $75,000 to $85,000 I'm guessing. It is not in Robindell though, it is over in Glenbrook.

[samarai]

Thanks Modster. I think Robindell will really start to appreciate in the next few years. I've noticed a lot of older home renovations creeping westward between 610 and Hillcroft. (as well as the ubiquitous Spanish villas)