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Square-Column Colonial Mansion in Houston, Tex.

From: Greenwood King Properties and Luxury Portfolio

Legend, a three-story Southern Colonial-style brick mansion, is a City of Houston Protected Landmark and is the last residence designed by Houston architect Birdsall Briscoe. Outside, it features home-height wraparound colonnade of square wood columns and plantation shutters on gigantic windows. Inside, a spacious reception hall features crown molding, finger-block hardwood floors, and a grand staircase. The home also includes a pecan-paneled library with built-in bookcases, a gorgeous formal living room and an enormous formal dining room.

Landmark Southern Colonial by Renowned Architect Birdsall Briscoe

Photo: Greenwood King Properties, a member of Luxury Portfolio International. From: Greenwood King Properties and Luxury Portfolio International®

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Landmark Southern Colonial by Renowned Architect Birdsall Briscoe

Wood shutters on gigantic windows grace this Southern brick mansion set back from the road in the desirable neighborhood of River Oaks. A City of Houston Protected Landmark, Legend is the last residence designed by twentieth-century Houston architect Birdsall Briscoe.

Stunning Southern Mansion With Beautiful Colonnade

Photo: Greenwood King Properties, a member of Luxury Portfolio International. From: Greenwood King Properties and Luxury Portfolio International®

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Stunning Southern Mansion With Beautiful Colonnade

Hidden from the road by mature gardens, the circular driveway leads you to this three-story Southern Colonial-style country house, featuring an imposing home-height wraparound colonnade of square wood columns. A City of Houston Protected Landmark, Legend is the last residence designed by Houston architect Birdsall Briscoe.

Exquisite Reception Room With Grand Staircase

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Exquisite Reception Room With Grand Staircase

This grand serpentine staircase curving around a crystal and bronze chandelier welcomes us to a home designed and crafted in painstaking detail. Bespoke millwork courtesy of the original owner and the architect Birdsall Briscoe includes the parquet hardwood floors and crown molding found in the foyer. This 14-foot wide reception room leads from the front colonnade through the center of the home to the expansive rear patio and gardens.

Opulent Reception Hall Leads to Rear Patios and Gardens

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Opulent Reception Hall Leads to Rear Patios and Gardens

The spacious reception hall features crown molding and finger-block hardwood floors. The entire home is embellished with bespoke millwork designed by the original owner and architect Birdsall Briscoe. A grand serpentine staircase lends opulence to the space.

Stately Pecan-Paneled Library With Numidian Marble Fireplace

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Stately Pecan-Paneled Library With Numidian Marble Fireplace

Built-in bookcases feature prominently in the stately pecan-paneled library. The dramatic fireplace is constructed of flame-colored Numidian marble, also used in Rockefeller Center.

Pecan-Paneled Library With Picture Windows Leads to Expansive Rear Patio

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Pecan-Paneled Library With Picture Windows Leads to Expansive Rear Patio

A custom Texas star medallion embellishes the door leading to the rear patio from the pecan-paneled library. Two picture windows drench the room in light. The gorgeous fireplace in flame-colored Numidian marble also used at Rockefeller Center adds even more warmth.

Custom Woodwork in Pecan-Paneled Library Includes Intricate Detailing

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Custom Woodwork in Pecan-Paneled Library Includes Intricate Detailing

The pecan-paneled library showcases the custom millwork that features throughout this historic home, like the gorgeous finger-block hardwood floors, decorative wall trim, accent medallions and the pocket doors to the living room.

Sunlit Breakfast Room With Ornamental Return Staircase

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Sunlit Breakfast Room With Ornamental Return Staircase

The reclaimed 19th-century return staircase with ornamental balustrade and handrail offers second-floor access from the sunlit breakfast room.

Spacious Formal Living Room With Noble Details

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Spacious Formal Living Room With Noble Details

The gorgeous formal living room features one of five marble fireplaces in this Southern Colonial mansion. The bespoke millwork designed by the original owner and architect Birdsall Briscoe includes herringbone patterned hardwood floors, an ornamental fireplace mantel, decorative wall panels, crown molding and floor-to-ceiling alcove windows with custom shelving.

Beautiful Formal Living Room With Bespoke Woodwork

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Beautiful Formal Living Room With Bespoke Woodwork

The spacious formal living room offers 11-foot ceilings and herringbone patterned hardwood floors. Bespoke millwork features throughout the home, courtesy of the original owner and the architect Birdsall Briscoe. Crown molding, floor-to-ceiling alcove windows with custom shelving and attractive double pocket doors bestow a subtle grace on this inviting space.

Stately Formal Dining Room With Elegant Details

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Stately Formal Dining Room With Elegant Details

The enormous formal dining room offers graceful refinement with herringbone patterned hardwoods and floor-to-ceiling alcove windows that elegantly frame the view of the home's manicured grounds. A central marble fireplace and crystal chandelier illuminate the beautiful space.

Gorgeous Custom Cupboard in Formal Dining Room

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Gorgeous Custom Cupboard in Formal Dining Room

A decoratively accented built-in cupboard with scalloped shelves and a seashell upper detail is an example of the bespoke millwork designed by the original owner and the architect Birdsall Briscoe that can be admired throughout this historic home.

Serpentine Staircase Landing Offers Stunning View

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Serpentine Staircase Landing Offers Stunning View

The floor-to-ceiling arched window on the serpentine staircase landing affords a view of the rear of the property peppered with mature trees, as well as its own iron balcony overlooking the expansive downstairs patio.

Grand Serpentine Staircase With Elegant Polished Handrail

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Grand Serpentine Staircase With Elegant Polished Handrail

The grand serpentine staircase culminates in a rounded anteroom upstairs in this historic home replete with the custom millwork of talented craftsmen.

Sunny Sanctuary Offers En Suite Amenities

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Sunny Sanctuary Offers En Suite Amenities

Each bedroom in this Southern Colonial is en suite, with a walk-in closet and dressing area. Hardwood floors, bay windows and a marble fireplace with traditional mantle adorn the space.

Light-filled Bedroom With Cozy Marble Fireplace

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Light-filled Bedroom With Cozy Marble Fireplace

This light-filled chamber is one of four en suite bedrooms, each with a walk-in closet and dressing area. Hardwood floors, bay windows and a marble fireplace enhanced by a traditional mantle with custom inlay adorn the space.

Floor-to-Ceiling Windows Bathe Inviting Bedroom in Light

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Floor-to-Ceiling Windows Bathe Inviting Bedroom in Light

Like each bedroom in this Southern Colonial, this bright and beautiful abode is en suite, with a walk-in closet and dressing area. Floor-to-ceiling windows drench the room in light.

Formal Powder Room With Spanish Chandelier

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Formal Powder Room With Spanish Chandelier

A three-arm antique Spanish chandelier illuminates the formal powder room off the foyer, one of the eight bathrooms in this palatial home.

Historic Beauty With Expansive Rear Patio

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Historic Beauty With Expansive Rear Patio

This Southern Colonial-style country house named Legend is a City of Houston Protected Landmark, as the last residence designed by American architect Birdsall Briscoe. The three-story brick home with front colonnade offers a residence-spanning patio at the rear, surveying the level manicured lawn peppered with mature trees.

Enormous Detached Garage Offers Living Space Above

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Enormous Detached Garage Offers Living Space Above

The apartment above the detached garage can operate as a second residence and includes a bedroom with kitchenette and bath plus two additional bedrooms that share a bath. This Southern Colonial-style country house is a City of Houston Protected Landmark, as the last residence designed by Houston architect Birdsall Briscoe.

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