10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Explore the architecture, art and neighborhood character that make East Montrose one of Houston’s most distinctive communities.
5 Homes • 9 Artists • 7 Studios
Art Walk admission is free.
Buy Advance Tickets — $20Tour-day check-in: On tour day, start at 410 W. Drew to pick up your wristband for an advance purchase or buy a ticket that day.
Five distinctive East Montrose homes are featured on the 2026 tour.
Built in 2002, the townhome at 2101 Whitney is one of three residences known as the Metropolitan Lofts. The approximately 2,500-square-foot home rises three floors, with a fourth-floor terrace offering a sweeping 270-degree view of Houston. Open stairs connect the levels, while exposed struts and trusses give the main floor a dramatic 12-foot ceiling.
The home is furnished with family antiques from Ohio, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, along with artwork collected by the owners during travels to San Miguel de Allende, Taos and Santa Fe. Its corner location at Whitney and Welch also provides a fenced side yard, garden space and an owner-built patio for dining and cookouts. There is no elevator, but the terrace view rewards the climb.
Constructed in 1910, this Colonial Revival-style residence has been carefully restored to preserve its historic character while returning the property to use as a single-family home. Owner Lance McKnight acquired the house in 2023 after it had been converted into a triplex. Architect Mayra Guardiola, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, NCARB guided a renovation that restored the original interior stair, repaired structural damage from years of water intrusion and fire, and preserved defining details including the rounded porch columns, split-gable roof, traditional balusters and original front balcony.
The project also expanded the home toward the rear with additional living space, a new garage and a private primary suite, while reconfiguring the second floor for modern functionality. The addition was designed to complement the scale and architectural language of the original residence. At approximately 116 years old, the home now combines restored historic craftsmanship with contemporary safety, comfort and family living.
Originally built in 1902 with a classic Victorian layout, 2015 Crocker has lived a colorful Montrose life, evolving from a Victorian home to a Craftsman-facaded bungalow and serving for decades as a neighborhood office space where local legend Nelle Stewart worked in the 1960s.
Decades later, current owners David and Kindra LeFevre worked in the exact same building before purchasing it and returning it to its residential roots. A 1999 renovation added the second story and restored some of the home’s historic stature, setting the stage for a comprehensive 2026 renovation. The recent transformation blends Victorian and Edwardian heritage with modern family functionality, including a reconfigured upstairs layout, custom kitchen and bathroom redesigns, and restored period details paired with contemporary comforts.
Built in 1913, the house at 419 Willard has gone through several transformations. At one point it was converted into two apartments, probably during the 1980s or 1990s.
In 2007, present owner Penny Cerling and her late husband, Jeff Skarda, purchased the house in need of extensive renovation. Working with a contractor who was also a fellow artist, they created an upstairs apartment with a downstairs studio, library and guest room. Following Jeff’s diagnosis in 2020, the lower floor was reworked into an apartment and the couple moved downstairs. A year or two later, Penny’s son moved into the upstairs apartment.
Leonard McDonald purchased 314 Peden in the late 1990s. At the time, it was a two-bedroom 1923 bungalow typical of the Montrose area. After a brief period as a rental, Dave and Leonard moved back into the bungalow in 2004. Faced with a failing foundation and the limitations of a small 1920s house, they ultimately razed the structure in 2013.
The custom contemporary-modern home that replaced it was designed around their modern art and wine collection, which includes vintage pieces and one of the original signs from the former Tower Theater on Westheimer. The new residence provides more space and modern conveniences, including a foodie kitchen and wine cellar supporting the owners’ love of good food and entertaining.
The Art Walk is free. The 2026 Art Walk features nine local artists across seven studios, all within comfortable strolling distance. Step inside the spaces where artists find inspiration and see where and how their work is created.
Since 1969, Anderson Fair has been one of the oldest original singer-songwriter venues in the United States. The historic interior is an art installation in itself, with indoor and outdoor seating available. Cindy Shung is a lens-based visual artist in residence, known for iconic photographs of legendary musicians as well as abstract photography.
Joan Son's first exhibition was in the windows of Tiffany & Co. in 1993. Her Zen-like art is rooted in the discipline of paper folding. Keiko Kinsey is a master beader creating extraordinary contemporary jewelry designs.
Constance is the director of the Houston Iyengar Yoga Studio. She will exhibit large drawings, imaginary portraits, and books containing her writings in her charming fairy-tale home.
A boutique art gallery bringing art and fashion together under one roof, with work from around the world presented in a relaxed, home-like environment.
Established in 1989, HTX Frames specializes in modern design and unique framing solutions that combine contemporary aesthetics with personalized craftsmanship and high-quality materials.
Beneath the shade of a majestic live oak, Julian displays abstract surrealist art in acrylic on wood and everyday objects, inspired by the colors and textures of nature.
PAC Art is a contemporary arts organization fostering dialogue between Houston and international arts communities. It supports artists with studio space, resources, and curatorial guidance to advance both their professional and creative development.
East Montrose was platted in the early 1900s and today reflects more than a century of Houston history. Its pedestrian-friendly streets include a diverse mix of architecture, from early neighborhood homes to imaginative contemporary designs.
During the 1960s, East Montrose became a center for Houston’s counterculture, and in 1970 became home to Anderson Fair. The Home Tour & Art Walk offers a chance to experience the neighborhood’s architecture and creative character up close.
Plan to spend the day in East Montrose, explore the neighborhood, and enjoy nearby shops and restaurants before or after the tour.
Approximately 40 volunteers are needed to greet guests, oversee traffic flow and answer questions.
Morning shift: 10 AM–1 PM • Afternoon shift: 1–4 PM
Docents get to see all the homes for free, plus a thank-you party afterward.
Bill Maxey: BMaxey100@gmail.com • 713-545-2909
Mary Quinn: MaryQuinn@MaryQuinnLaw.com • 281-630-4476
Take a look back at previous East Montrose Home Tours:
“It is the mission of East Montrose Civic Association to serve the interests of East Montrose, to promote the safety and welfare of its residents, to foster a sense of community, and to celebrate the diversity and uniqueness of the area. These goals are accomplished through the efforts of its volunteers and elected officers.”
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