The sacrifice of Waverly Court

Houstonist noticed about a month ago that something was missing near the corner of Bissonnet and Mt. Vernon streets, just west of Montrose Blvd. The house didn't seem to fit in, but it sure caught our eye - unfortunately it was recently demolished by the current owners. The house was located at 1 Waverly Court and was designed by Glassman Shoemake Maldonado Architects and built in 1999 to replace a beaten-up 1950s contemporary home by David Baer, FAIA. It was described in the Houston Architectural Guide as "a low-key tower house fronted by a wildly exploded, expressionist stair tower faced with zinc and aluminum-coated steel siding."

In an interview with Susan Garwood, the original owner who commissioned the 1999 home, Lisa Gray found out that she sold the home to save another that might have been in danger if put on the market - she recently inherited the 1920s-era William L. Clayton Summer House in River Oaks designed by Birdsall Briscoe. She's the great-granddaughter of businessman Clayton, and the house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 (but not a protected landmark, therefore having no real protection).

According to the Chronicle article regarding the Waverly house:

"I thought that house would be there forever," Garwood says. "I never thought it would be torn down." Friends have been giving her long meaningful hugs and sending condolence cards. On Friday, Garwood held a wake. Former neighbors and people who helped build the house dropped by Garwood's place in River Oaks to light candles, look at photos and trade stories.

"It was cathartic," she says. "I don't know that I've moved on, but that helped."

Amy and Michael Cosgrove, the lot's current owners, say they prefer not to discuss their plans. At one point, they hired Shoemake to make alterations to the 3,500-square-foot house, which had been valued at roughly $1 million by the county tax assessor.

The Waverly house was actually assessed at more than half of that million dollar value. The Cosgroves also acquired the 1920s-era home at 3 Waverly Court and demolished it as well. Gray says that they have enlisted the help of Francois de Menil to build something on the two lots they flattened, but they refused to talk to her directly about their plans (in the tradition of most grab-n-smashers).

1 Waverly Court won two design awards from the American Institute of Architects.

• GSM Waverly information page

Photo: © Glassman Shoemake Maldonado