Patrick Bertolino for Sotheby's International Realty
Patrick Bertolino for Sotheby's International Realty
The historically significant Longbow Lane home of Houston oil mogul William C. Liedtke is on the market. Built in 1967 by architect O’Neil Ford, the stately six-bedroom house fuses modernism with Mexican architectural elements. Iron gates and soaring whitewashed brick walls make up the front façade, offering privacy and solitude.
After WWII, Longbow Lane quietly became home to wealthy Houston families, and is one of the most exclusive addresses in the US today. Brothers William and J.Hugh Liedtke, teaming with future president George W. Bush, founded Zapata Petroleum in the mid-1950s. The brothers would go on to co-found Pennzoil Co., one of the nation’s largest oil companies. Liedtke died in 1991, and his wife Bessie continued to live at 3 Longbow Lane until 2022.
Patrick Bertolino for Sotheby's International Realty
Patrick Bertolino for Sotheby's International Realty
Patrick Bertolino for Sotheby's International Realty
Carved wood front doors framed by Tezontle stone lead to a light-filled atrium, reminiscent of colonial haciendas. A Saltillo tile floor extends across the foyer into the wide central hall into the house.
Patrick Bertolino for Sotheby's International Realty
Patrick Bertolino for Sotheby's International Realty
The study features a kiva-style brick fireplace with an asymmetric overmantel and a recessed Saltillo tile window seat.
Patrick Bertolino for Sotheby's International Realty
Patrick Bertolino for Sotheby's International Realty
The spacious living room has multiple seating areas and recesses for furniture and art. A carved stone fireplace occupies the center. Both living room and study floors are laid in a chevron pattern. The living room floor was hand-hewn in Waco from mesquite blocks.
Patrick Bertolino for Sotheby's International Realty
Patrick Bertolino for Sotheby's International Realty
Massive mesquite doors lead to a study with beamed ceilings and full-length windows overlooking rear stone patios. Features include a handsome bar with a copper sink, a kiva-style fireplace and floor-to-ceiling bookcases. A second set of doors lead to the great room.
Patrick Bertolino for Sotheby's International Realty
Patrick Bertolino for Sotheby's International Realty
The great room features a Saltillo tile floor, double height shed ceiling and an enormous brick fireplace, copied from an old silver mine smokestack in New Mexico, which reaches the apex of the shed ceiling. A wrought iron staircase curves around it, accessing the open second-floor gallery.
Patrick Bertolino for Sotheby's International Realty
Patrick Bertolino for Sotheby's International Realty
The family room features a Saltillo tile floor, a double-height shed ceiling, and a double-height wall of wood-framed windows overlooking the gardens and pools.
Patrick Bertolino for Sotheby's International Realty
Patrick Bertolino for Sotheby's International Realty
Solid wood doors open into the kitchen from the great room. The kitchen was designed to serve large gatherings as well as daily family living. Features include a Saltillo tile floor and artisan tile backsplash. The central island has a stainless-steel deck, a gas cooktop, a two-burner electric cooktop, and hooded warmer light. There is an eat-in bar counter, refrigerator and freezer, and extensive pantry storage. An adjoining butler’s pantry offers countertop space and cabinets and connects to the dining room and foyer.
Patrick Bertolino for Sotheby's International Realty
Patrick Bertolino for Sotheby's International Realty
The first-floor primary suite, accessed from a short hall that branches away from the foyer, overlooks its own patio and garden. Beneath a two-story, beamed shed ceiling, the suite has a bedroom with a sitting area, a row of tall wardrobe closets, and an adjoining morning room or dressing room. A pair of full bathrooms feature walk-in closets, Saltillo tile floors, marble sink decks, and colorful tilework on the shower, tub, and vanity cabinet.
Patrick Bertolino for Sotheby's International Realty
Patrick Bertolino for Sotheby's International Realty
A floating staircase with Saltillo tile leads to the second-floor gallery that forms an open square above the foyer. There are stone columns, a glass-paneled skylight, and thick cross beams with tin or lead engraved caps. Pendant and sconce lights illuminate the gallery and deep closets with tall solid wood doors provide concealed storage.
The atrium leads into the expansive dining room where wood-framed slider glass doors overlook the gardens. Note the fir ceiling beams.
Patrick Bertolino for Sotheby's International Realty
Outside are two circular swimming pools, positioned high above a bend in the bayou, and joined by an underwater tunnel.
Patrick Bertolino for Sotheby's International Realty
Patrick Bertolino for Sotheby's International Realty
Facing the two pools is the pool house. It has seating and dining area and a raised deck at the rear.
Patrick Bertolino for Sotheby's International Realty
Patrick Bertolino for Sotheby's International Realty
The pool house includes a bar with sink, grill and under-counter refrigerator niche. It has a bóveda ceiling and sliding glass doors that lead to the deck.
Patrick Bertolino for Sotheby's International Realty
Patrick Bertolino for Sotheby's International Realty
The pool house deck soars above the trees and bayou below.
Patrick Bertolino for Sotheby's International Realty
Patrick Bertolino for Sotheby's International Realty
Two pairs of bedroom suites face each other across the upper gallery. This suite has a fir beam and plank ceiling, window seat, a dressing area with vanity and closets.
Patrick Bertolino for Sotheby's International Realty
Patrick Bertolino for Sotheby's International Realty
Photography by Patrick Bertolino for Sotheby's International Realty