Willowisp Posted July 22, 2006 Share Posted July 22, 2006 William R. Jenkins HousesWillowbend/Willow Meadows10920 Willowisp Dr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NenaE Posted May 24, 2009 Share Posted May 24, 2009 I've always admired the flat-roofed mod at 2530 Underwood. Sits at the corner of Underwood & 7000 blk of Kirby, very vulnerable. Do hope it stays, apts. are rising around it. I find the details are the most interesting. Louvered shutters along the low-profile front porch, 3 cylinder-shaped porch light fixtures, decorative iron gas light w/ matching entrance landscape lights. But was surprised to see it has "window" a/c units. Can just imagine how beautiful it could look w/ proper care & a little night lighting.FYI - It's listed in the block books, in Devon Estates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willowisp Posted May 26, 2009 Author Share Posted May 26, 2009 The owner does not want to talk to me. From what I can tell this was Jenkins's 1961 residential masterpiece, but the owner has no interest in discussing it with Houston Mod (I've left a note and sent a letter & the only thing left to do is to give her a book), and the Jenkins family doesn't have much documentation on it either. I've always admired the flat-roofed mod at 2530 Underwood. Sits at the corner of Underwood & 7000 blk of Kirby, very vulnerable. Do hope it stays, apts. are rising around it. I find the details are the most interesting. Louvered shutters along the low-profile front porch, 3 cylinder-shaped porch light fixtures, decorative iron gas light w/ matching entrance landscape lights. But was surprised to see it has "window" a/c units. Can just imagine how beautiful it could look w/ proper care & a little night lighting.FYI - It's listed in the block books, in Devon Estates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 The owner does not want to talk to me. From what I can tell this was Jenkins's 1961 residential masterpiece, but the owner has no interest in discussing it with Houston Mod (I've left a note and sent a letter & the only thing left to do is to give her a book), and the Jenkins family doesn't have much documentation on it either. That's a shame. It's on my list of houses to catch up on when I get back in to town, so I hope they don't mind me standing out front with a camera. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marmer Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 The owner does not want to talk to me. From what I can tell this was Jenkins's 1961 residential masterpiece, but the owner has no interest in discussing it with Houston Mod (I've left a note and sent a letter & the only thing left to do is to give her a book), and the Jenkins family doesn't have much documentation on it either. Probably wants to sell it to a developer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 Looks like the the Knight family was probably the original owner and also owned the lot next door. In 1992 one of Knight's heirs sold it (the lot now has a somewhat modest recent build - 1998). The elder Knights passed away in 1991 and 1992, I believe, and that's when Jack W. Knight's estate was split amongst the family over the next few years (several properties in Lake Houston Estates, one in Farrington Place, Crane Street Woods, and the Underwood house).The earliest real estate transaction I can find is from 1961:File No: B347832 Grantor:KNIGHT JACK W ETAL Grantee:MCDANIELS G H TR Date:19610613 Type:D/T Desc:DEVON ESTS L 8 Vol-Page:3805277 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NenaE Posted May 26, 2009 Share Posted May 26, 2009 Probably wants to sell it to a developer. That would just kill me. Willowisp, can't say that your story about the owners surprises me, figured as much, from the visual clues. Amazes me how some owners just don't have any idea how significant their homes are, and/ or just don't care to know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willowisp Posted May 27, 2009 Author Share Posted May 27, 2009 Yes, I know the house is still in the family. That's another thing that is disappointing for me. I also know they have a lot of documentation of the house, probably enough that it would have extended my book on Jenkins to nearly 80 pages. But it's theirs to share or not I guess. Maybe they'll have a change of heart when they see the book.That would just kill me. Willowisp, can't say that your story about the owners surprises me, figured as much, from the visual clues. Amazes me how some owners just don't have any idea how significant their homes are, and/ or just don't care to know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 I know folks have their reasons, but I'm really coming up with zero on why the family would want to withhold such useful and interesting information. Again, what a shame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marmer Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 ^ Probably an over-active desire for privacy coupled with a lack of understanding of what architectural "publication" or "documentation" means. Possibly embarassment at the condition of the house, especially the interior. Possibly disabled or infirm family members who shouldn't be disturbed. Possibly, since it's still in the family, there may even be some hard feelings related to Jenkins or the architecture. Your guess is as good as mine, Jason probably has more of a sense of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NenaE Posted May 27, 2009 Share Posted May 27, 2009 ^ Probably an over-active desire for privacy coupled with a lack of understanding of what architectural "publication" or "documentation" means. Possibly embarassment at the condition of the house, especially the interior. Possibly disabled or infirm family members who shouldn't be disturbed. Possibly, since it's still in the family, there may even be some hard feelings related to Jenkins or the architecture. Your guess is as good as mine, Jason probably has more of a sense of it.Good points, those didn't even cross my mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenH Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 Jason and I found this house deep in Memorial just off this weekend. Frietag House - Jenkins & Hoff - 1963 (HCAD). The owner has the original drawings. It's in excellent shape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flat Four Posted April 13, 2013 Share Posted April 13, 2013 FIrst time poster, here =) I stopped by the 2530 Underwood home this afternoon and snapped a few pics. Sadly, it's in pretty rough shape.....very neglected yard/landscape, ratty curtains and vehicles that look like they're abandoned. One of the Kirby-facing windows revealed what appears to be stacked newspapers and random junk (a hoarder, perhaps?). Even compared to the period homes of the area, the property sticks out like an ugly, un-maintained, sore thumb. I knocked on the door to speak with owner. A 30-something year old woman answered....but hardly interested in answering questions. I asked if she was the current owner and she said it was her grandparents house originally. I asked for more details on the build date, history, etc... to which she replied, "Um.....I dunno." As we spoke I tried to peer past her into the house, but couldn't see much other than mirrored walls in the foyer and more junk littering the floor. Such a GREAT house. Makes me so sad to see it in such a dilapidated state. Wonder how long it'll last. Figured someone should post pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flat Four Posted April 13, 2013 Share Posted April 13, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flat Four Posted April 13, 2013 Share Posted April 13, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willowisp Posted April 13, 2013 Author Share Posted April 13, 2013 I don't know if you've read my posts about this house. It is certainly one of the most important of Bill Jenkins's houses and also the one in the saddest state (but still standing). Ben Hill and I have a deal that if either of us wins the lottery we will show up at this house with an offer they can't refuse... I have knocked on the door several times. Interesting that you got an answer. I knew the house was still in the original owner's family and that it's just kind of falling down slowly. I have only talked to neighbors and a gardener or a worker there. The worker or a neighbor told me that someone had vintage photos, which made it all the more intriguing to me. I don't check this forum often. Oddly enough I just checked it today because I was looking for info on another Jenkins house that someone asked Houston Mod about. If you want to get ahold of me and talk Jenkins feel free any time, but more likely you can get ahold of me through info@houstonmod.org or Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/jasonsmith94 Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sevfiv Posted April 16, 2013 Share Posted April 16, 2013 Thanks for posting those pictures! I think that's the house a few years back that people were NOT amused by me being nearby with a camera.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenH Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 Jason and I also found out that the Bush House, part of the 1955 Parade of Homes Tour, appears to be under renovation, or is at least being cleaned up. Turns out its kind of a nice house. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NenaE Posted April 19, 2014 Share Posted April 19, 2014 Whoa... Just saw the Underwood House pics. I love that design so much. The details are still intact...low profile, long stairs, light fixtures (some recessed), landscape ornamental lights, possibly original landscape design plants ( ex. Sago palms). At least with neglect, there is hope of rejuvenation, unlike extensive, inappropriate remodeling or selling for lot value. Thanks for sharing photos Flat Four. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NenaE Posted April 19, 2014 Share Posted April 19, 2014 The Underwood st. House is still standing, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ross Posted April 19, 2014 Share Posted April 19, 2014 Looks like it's still there. HCAD shows construction year as 1955, and Google maps still shows a badly overgrown front yard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryDierker Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 The Underwood st. House is still standing, right? It was there today when I passed by, and I believe the same vehicles from the photos are still there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NenaE Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 Good. Extant it is... Would love to see a blueprint. One can always hope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marmer Posted May 7, 2014 Share Posted May 7, 2014 Someone should save that mid-90's Chevy wagon! ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NenaE Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 Looks like there is original furniture inside. Picture #8. That car has sat there for quite a while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NenaE Posted May 8, 2014 Share Posted May 8, 2014 Just discovered from GoogleEarth maps that the Underwood St. house (post #15-17) has an atrium in the middle of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryDierker Posted June 9, 2014 Share Posted June 9, 2014 Snapped a few drive-by pics of the Underwood house today. Seems to be cleaned up a little from the previous set of pics. but it still stands. IMAG0030 by Not.Larry.Dierker, on Flickr IMAG0031 by Not.Larry.Dierker, on Flickr the broke down blue station wagon is gone IMAG0032 by Not.Larry.Dierker, on Flickr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NenaE Posted June 9, 2014 Share Posted June 9, 2014 uh...that kind of makes me nervous... Hopefully the house will be ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodface Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 Finally got around to searching for information about this house, which I've driven by hundreds of times. Hopefully I can contribute some good photographs in the coming days. Count me in for lottery contributions to save her! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodface Posted November 15, 2014 Share Posted November 15, 2014 Got some pictures today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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