James West Mansion At 3303 Nasa Pkwy.

[Specwriter]

I just cursorily read Jim West's bio, so I don't know very much about him, but it seems to confirm something that has fascinated me: how in the past someone who was probably perceived as an uneducated, "country-bumpkin"-type could use his fortune to build an outlandish huge house that was yet tasteful and beautiful and high-quality. Something has definitely changed with regard to the nouveau-riche. It's as though they're not being well-served.

He doesn't otherwise come off as an eccentric.

Bumpkin or not he did study law at the University of Texas. The fortune was made by his father but he certainly knew how to use it for his own enjoyment.

Wealthy, eccentric Texans are practially commonplace. Wikipedia (that unimpeachable source :-) states that "he (West, Jr.) was nicknamed "Silver Dollar Jim", because he would throw these coins toward passersby on the street. He was also called 'Diamond Jim' because of the diamond-studded Texas Ranger badge he wore. He was known to chase criminals right behind the police. West kept a fleet of thirty cars, mostly Cadillacs in or around downtown Houston, which were equipped with an arsenal of 30-35 guns. He became an iconic fixture at Galveston casinos such as the Balinese Room. He is considered to be an archetype for the eccentric Texas oilman."

Perhaps we should start a new thread: Rich, eccentric Texans. I'll begin with Glenn McCarthy, H. L. Hunt, and James Marion "Silver Dollar Jim" West, Jr.

Edited July 30, 2012 by Specwriter

[Specwriter]

how, in the past, someone who was probably perceived as an uneducated, "country-bumpkin"-type (I do realize that at the time, our population was rural, and the term would have applied to most of us) could use his fortune to build an outlandish huge house that was yet tasteful and beautiful and high-quality. To my eyes, at least.

Something has definitely changed with regard to the nouveau-riche. It's as though they're not being well-served.

I forgot to comment on this in my earlier post: Amen. What has happened? I wish I had the answer. Just understand the $2,000,000 mansion of today does not equate to the $200,000, or even $100,000 mansion of 80 years ago. Money went a lot further then especially during the depression when many top-notch architects and craftsmen were really hurting for work.

Perhaps the nouveau-riche of today are much more nouveau than their predecessors.

[luciaphile]

http://www.tshaonlin.../articles/fwe33

I don't doubt anything that you say, but the Handbook of Texas bio makes no mention of law school nor of the "junior" - says he's the son of Silas West of Mississippi. I've read elsewhere that he sold patent medicines after his day's work in the sawmill was done. He sounds self-made. I may be confusing father and son and grandson.

[Specwriter]

http://www.tshaonlin.../articles/fwe33

I don't doubt anything that you say, but the Handbook of Texas bio makes no mention of law school nor of the "junior" - says he's the son of Silas West of Mississippi. I've read elsewhere that he sold patent medicines after his day's work in the sawmill was done. He sounds self-made. I may be confusing father and son and grandson.

The TSHA site is talking about West Sr. who lived from 1871 until 1941. Silver Dollar Jim West was his son who lived from 1903 until 1957. The Wests moved to Houston in 1905. The mansion was built stating in 1929. It was designed by architect Joseph Finger who also was the architect for Houston's 1939 City Hall and the 1940 municipal airport terminal. I apologize for the confusion.

West Sr. eccentric? Maybe, maybe not. West Jr.? Definitely.

[Pleak]

Bumpkin or not he did study law at the University of Texas. The fortune was made by his father but he certainly knew how to use it for his own enjoyment.

Wealthy, eccentric Texans are practially commonplace. Wikipedia (that unimpeachable source :-) states that "he (West, Jr.) was nicknamed "Silver Dollar Jim", because he would throw these coins toward passersby on the street. He was also called 'Diamond Jim' because of the diamond-studded Texas Ranger badge he wore. He was known to chase criminals right behind the police. West kept a fleet of thirty cars, mostly Cadillacs in or around downtown Houston, which were equipped with an arsenal of 30-35 guns. He became an iconic fixture at Galveston casinos such as the Balinese Room. He is considered to be an archetype for the eccentric Texas oilman."

Perhaps we should start a new thread: Rich, eccentric Texans. I'll begin with Glenn McCarthy, H. L. Hunt, and James Marion "Silver Dollar Jim" West, Jr.

Unfortunately, I think the wealthy eccentric Texans are a dying breed. Wish we still had a bunch running around - they kept things interesting.

Sure a lot of the stuff they built was gaudy, and financially unsound. But it's the sort of stuff you look back on later with fond remembrance.

Instead - all of our wealtlhy Texans seem to now be very sober-minded and concerned about hanging onto their fortunes instead of blowing it on some crazy-a$$ed building or project.

And the crazy ones we do have move elsewhere - so we don't even get any good scandals anymore. Like the Goodman heir in Florida that adopted his girlfriend. Or Ana Nicole Smith - they all went somewhere else to go bat-crazy.

Houston needs a few rich nut-jobs.

[luciaphile]

The money was so unfathomable that it upset the usual Buddenbrooks-type formula of: first generation builds the fortune; second generation consolidates; third generation squanders, or goes Bohemian. Often that first generation dove right into the squandering - it was too much to hoard - and yes, it was very entertaining.

My casual reading, though, is that the fortune that built the Jim West mansion was East Texas timber, the oil $$ was a later windfall from the mineral rights on that Clear Lake estate. So the world got "Silver Dollar" Jim Jr. and Humble got the big unmanageable house.

I doubt that "Silver Dollar" Jim ever looked like this:

And in most cases they still didn't burn through it: I have it on good report that it's old (by our standards) money, much though not all originally oil money, that still drives philanthropic giving in Texas, at least in the few areas I care about. So thanks, Big Rich.

[Specwriter]

We got a bit off-track for this thread but the exchange was interesting and fun. Back to my earlier question: Does anybody know what is going on with the West mansion? There has been an increasing amount (though still small) of activity there in the past several weeks.

[FilioScotia]

The biggest difference between old time millionaires and today's millionaires is that today's rich guys have their money tied up corporations. They can't spend their money the way guys like West, HL Hunt, Howard Hughes and others did. Their spending is now controlled by Boards of Directors. Bill Gates is a notable exception to that rule.

[Specwriter]

Further activity at the mansion: an iron fence (about 8 feet tall) is being erected along the frontage of the man-made lake. The old stone fence along NASA Road 1 and the west side of the manision is getting an iron fence on top of it as well. I still have no idea what the ultimate use of building will be.

[Specwriter]

The biggest difference between old time millionaires and today's millionaires is that today's rich guys have their money tied up corporations. They can't spend their money the way guys like West, HL Hunt, Howard Hughes and others did. Their spending is now controlled by Boards of Directors. Bill Gates is a notable exception to that rule.

Bill Gates has more money than Croesus. I'm surprised the bureau of engraving can print it fast enough for him. (tried but failed to place smiley emoticon here)

I think one reason the truly rich (not Hollywood and sports celebrities) are so nearly invisible is because of the litigious society we have become. If you don't know who they are you can not sue them for slights real or imagined.

Edited August 16, 2012 by Specwriter

[Happy Historian]

I now live a mile or so away from it and drive by every few days. I grew up here and recall a few of our friends big boats piled up on the bridge by it after Carla blew through. I've noted the sprucing up - appears to be at a snail's pace for any significant rehab of a residence like that. I'm more than curious.

[Specwriter]

I now live a mile or so away from it and drive by every few days. I grew up here and recall a few of our friends big boats piled up on the bridge by it after Carla blew through. I've noted the sprucing up - appears to be at a snail's pace for any significant rehab of a residence like that. I'm more than curious.

I have a house in the 77586 zip code (Seabrook area) that I travel to on weekends so I only see the property on Friday and Sunday evenings generally. H. H., please keep us informed if you will. It is a mystery to me as to the "secrecy" or lack if information about what is going on. When I did see people working on and around the mansion there was no indication of who they might be like a sign on the vehicles etc.

We saw the same thing during Ike that you saw during Carla: boats sitting on top of NASA Road 1. Actually, I only saw pictures because we evacuated and were safely in Austin when the storm hit.

I posted on this thread last April about the Sealy Manison in Galveston becoming a conference center for UTMB. I still think something like that would be the best use for the West Mansion though I realize it is in private hands now. I know the Lunar Planetary Institute used the building some years a go but I'm not exactly sure what for.

[Happy Historian]

A quick glance of the county records still shows that Olajuwon Farms LLC still owns 3303 E. Nasa Boulevard (does anyone else REALLY dislaike renaming NASA Road 1 this "parkway" crap?) They bought it in October of 2006. It had belonged to Rice University until 1995. The property value jumped $1million this year and the owner's paid roughly $49K in taxes in 2011. $50K a year is a lot just to let something return slowly to nature.

Looks like it's getting a basic spruce up for something. Not much long term thought going into putting up a steel tube fence there as it will only last 10 years at the most before totally rusting out - shorter if made of cheap import steel. But at least it's an improvement. The other house of note nearby is the one now used as the yacht club across the road behind the hotel at Bal Harbour Marina. That house is named Windemere in 1929 when built by a Hughes Tool Co. executive.

[Specwriter]

I see a bit more happening here in the past week or so. Dark red canvas awnings have been installed above several of the windows and just yesterday I saw some men erecting what seems to be a sign at the gate along NASA Road 1. They were installing some large square tile over the concrete block structure of the sign base. It disturbs me that I see a round tube coming up through the middle of this pylon sign. I hope there is no intent to have some tacky lighted marquee atop that tube. Yecch.

Happy Historian, I believe the old FM 528 is still officially NASA Road 1 east of the Johnson Space Center. I agree with you, and I stated in other threads, this indiscriminate renaming of thoroughfares "parkways" is incorrect and causes those who make the decision to rename appear to be not too intelligent. Allen Parkway fits the definition of a parkway. St. Joseph Parway does not.

[Specwriter]

I stand corrected (actually I am sitting as I write this). I passed by the West Mansion again this afternoon and on the monument sign I mentioned yesterday, in very nice lettering, are the words "West Mansion" and below that, "3300 E. NASA Parkway." So I guess that part of what I will always call NASA Road 1 is, indeed, NASA Parkway. I guess too, by the strictest definition, it is a parkway since Clear Lake Park fronts on both sides of the road just a short distance east of the mansion.

The more interesting thing I saw was when I drove through the open gate and right up to the house itself. On each of the red awnings are the letters and numbers "DR34M." I suppose the '3' substitutes for the letter 'E' and the '4' for the letter 'A' thus indicating the Dream, i.e. Mr.Olajuwon. The same also appears in plaster relief over the porte cochere at the rear of the building. A quick Google search turns up this: http://www.dr34m.com/

Well, we'll see how successful that venture is. I notice the car wash is still operating on San Felipe just inside the 610 Loop. To give due credit the restoration of the exterior seems to have been done well and there are no permanent alterations to distract from the structure. The owner(s) are to be commended. I still believe the house and grounds would better serve as a venue for receptions and similar events. I attended a wedding and dinner at the Guenther House in San Antonio last October and the house and grounds were excellent for that event. The West Mansion should be just as fitting.

Edited December 10, 2012 by Specwriter

[Happy Historian]

Is now spruced up and has a DR34M sign out front.

[Specwriter]

I had to explain the DR34M to an acquaintence of mine. The 3 and the 4 substitute for the 'e' and 'a' in "Dream" - Hakeem's nickname. 34 was also his jersey number. I guess it has become the boutique we heard about earlier. I see the same two or three automobiles parked on the west side of the building each time I pass buy (which is fairly frequently these days). I suppose those cars belong to the people who operate the boutique. I am a very unlikely candidate to shop there but my curiosity may get the best of me soon.

[FilioScotia]

Looks like a very high-end boutique to me. Way above my pay grade. Don't get me wrong. I salute Hakeem for using his wealth to turn that beautiful old mansion into something new. He's probably the only person in town who could and would do this, so we we can give thanks that he's the one who bought it from the previous owners. This story makes me very happy.

I wonder if he's going to be doing TV commercials. I can hear him now. "Come to the DR34M ! It's unbittable." *

*(For Houston newbies: Back in the 80s or 90s Hakeem did some local TV commercials -- I forget whose they were -- and his last line was always about the prices -- "They're unbeatable." Except when he said it with his Nigerian accent, it came out "They're unbittable." It got to be something of a local joke.)

Edited January 5, 2013 by FilioScotia

[Specwriter]

Looks like a very high-end boutique to me. Way above my pay grade. Don't get me wrong. I salute Hakeem for using his wealth to turn that beautiful old mansion into something new. He's probably the only person in town who could and would do this, so we we can give thanks that he's the one who bought it from the previous owners. This story makes me very happy.

I wonder if he's going to be doing TV commercials. I can hear him now. "Come to the DR34M ! It's unbittable." *

*(For Houston newbies: Back in the 80s or 90s Hakeem did some local TV commercials -- I forget whose they were -- and his last line was always about the prices -- "They're unbeatable." Except when he said it with his Nigerian accent, it came out "They're unbittable." It got to be something of a local joke.)

I am also greatful that Hakeem is preserving this building and the First National Bank building downtown as well. Short of a wrecking ball nothing is worse for an historic building than for it to sit empty. It also appears that he has done nothing that is not reversible. Kudos for that as well.

Filio, are you remembering the commercial for the voice recognition device where Hakeem says something to the effect of, "if it can recognize what I say it can work for anybody?"

[FilioScotia]

Turns out my memory was faulty on who the sponsor was, and faulty about what he was talking about.

After some Internet searching, I've found that the commercial I'm talking about was for McDonald's. Early in the 1985-86 season, McDonalds started airing a local commercial that showed Hakeem doing his trademark "dream shake" move and dunking a McNugget in some sauce at the same time.

That's when he uttered the word, in his thick Nigerian accent, that has been linked to him ever since: "Unbeatable".

[chuckdee]

I am also greatful that Hakeem is preserving this building and the First National Bank building downtown as well. Short of a wrecking ball nothing is worse for an historic building than for it to sit empty. It also appears that he has done nothing that is not reversible. Kudos for that as well.

Filio, are you remembering the commercial for the voice recognition device where Hakeem says something to the effect of, "if it can recognize what I say it can work for anybody?"

Atta boy Dream!!

_____________________

"I've had many problems in my life, most of which were imagined." - Mark Twain

Chuck Dee - AKA Chris

[FilioScotia]

I think we can finally state conclusively that the Jim West mansion has been "saved", although what it has been saved for isn't making everyone happy. Those people need to get over it. As for me, I am delighted with the mansion's newest incarnation under Hakeem Olajuwon and I hope it succeeds.

Check out this item in the Chronicle.

http://www.chron.com/life/article/Clear-Lake-s-West-mansion-starts-new-chapter-with-4211422.php?cmpid=hottopicshpatfpm

[chuckdee]

And a happy belated 50th to the Dream.

_____________________

"I've had many problems in my life, most of which were imagined." - Mark Twain

Chuck Dee - AKA Chris

steel industrial buildings

[i_am_jim]

Lumber, oil, and ranching tycoon James Marion West and his wife, Jessie Dudley, hired Houston architect Joseph Finger to design this 17,000-square foot house as headquarters for their 30,000-acre ranch. Built in 1929-30, it is an excellent example of the Italian renaissance revival style. It features exceptional ironwork by Berger & Son, classical pediments and arched windows.

 

This is the rear of the mansion. It's the view seen from the highway -- NASA Road 1

[Specwriter]

I drove past the mansion last night about 7:30. There were lights on all inside the building and the parking lot was full. There was nothing going on outside on the terrace. It never occured to me before, but last night made evident that there is very little exterior lighting and NONE was apparent in the parking area. It appears the parking area was repaved during the renovations prior to the opening of DR34M so there should be no pot holes to negotiate when guests returned to their cars.

 

Does anyone know what event was being held there? It seems odd it would be after the all star game unless it was something unrelated. We have a lot of fund-raisers and "kick-off" events in the Clear Lake area and this structure seems ideal for that although there could be more parking (with lighting for evening events).

[dbigtex56]

I drove past the mansion last night about 7:30. There were lights on all inside the building and the parking lot was full. There was nothing going on outside on the terrace. It never occured to me before, but last night made evident that there is very little exterior lighting and NONE was apparent in the parking area. It appears the parking area was repaved during the renovations prior to the opening of DR34M so there should be no pot holes to negotiate when guests returned to their cars.

 

Does anyone know what event was being held there? It seems odd it would be after the all star game unless it was something unrelated. We have a lot of fund-raisers and "kick-off" events in the Clear Lake area and this structure seems ideal for that although there could be more parking (with lighting for evening events).

 

bump

[Slick Vik]

Read a story in chron that it will host events now

[Specwriter]

Read a story in chron that it will host events now

 

I'm pleased to learn that. As I've said before the building seems to be ideally suited for that. Also, the breeze coming off Clear Lake makes the county park nearby, and I would assume the West Mansion, a more pleasant venue than most other places on a humid summer evening.

Edited June 10, 2013 by Specwriter

[Specwriter]

Well the West Mansion was hosting a rather large event when I drove past about 1:00pm yesterday. The paved  parking (such as it is) was full and there were several automobiles parked on the grass. There were people standing all around on the terraces. I have no idea what the event was. Can any HAIF'ers shed some light?

 

I know it costs money to install and maintain landscaping but the place just screams for some azaleas. All those around my modest abode are in full bloom right now and it is just magnificent. Once again, though, my compliments and gratitude to Mr. Olajuwon for preserving this treasure on Clear Lake. 

[sevfiv]

The Houston Symphony League Bay Area’s “Day by the Bay” home tour will feature some of the most beautiful and historical homes in the Clear lake Area. Scheduled for March 22-23, the home tour showstopper is the magnificent Italian Renaissance revival style home located at the corner of NASA Parkway and Space Center Blvd.

 

 

http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/bay_area/living/houston-symphony-league-bay-to-host-day-by-the-bay/article_44b627ec-2579-51d9-ba6c-b439cb69159b.html