Before new owners take possession, Preservation Houston members have a rare opportunity to tour the Westfall House, a beautifully restored 1905 bungalow in the Westmoreland Historic District, on Saturday morning, March 15.
Portrait artist George Westfall and his wife, Emma, built the house using a design by George Barber, a Knoxville, Tennessee, architect known for publishing widely popular catalogs of house plans. The Westfall House was built from one of those designs — the “Rustic” — and stands as a classic example of the airplane bungalow, with its broad roofline, deep eaves and distinctive second-story balcony. A sweeping front porch, curved concrete rails and massive chimneys clad in scored concrete give the house a striking presence.
Years of neglect left the house in poor condition, but a meticulous restoration led by Stern and Bucek Architects brought it back to life. The project stabilized the foundation, restored hardwood floors and decorative fireplaces, and revived the home’s original color scheme using historic paint analysis. The work earned a 2018 Good Brick Award from Preservation Houston.
This open house offers a final chance to see the house before it changes hands. Don’t miss this special look inside a piece of Houston’s architectural history!
The Westfall House will be open from 10 a.m. to noon. David Bucek, the architect who oversaw the property’s restoration, will give a brief talk around 10:30 a.m.
This event is free and open to Preservation Houston members and their guests.