Commission backs protected landmark designation for 1707 Milford Street, the 'Dream Home'

The Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission voted Thursday to recommend that City Council grant protected landmark designation to 1707 Milford Street, known historically as West Edgemont’s “Dream Home.”

Staff described the house as a two‑story brick‑veneer Tudor‑revival residence built in 1927 by the Bonita Building and Lumber Company as part of a Houston Post‑Dispatch newspaper contest. Kara Quigley, staff presenting the item, told the commission the property meets multiple designation criteria and that the current owner, Lois Zamora, is seeking protection to preserve the main residence as an example of the builder’s work and the neighborhood’s early development.

Inga McGuire of Preservation Houston, who researched and wrote the nomination report, spoke in support. McGuire noted the house’s origin story — the newspaper contest and a community naming contest — and described the home as largely intact with minimal alterations predating the 1970s. Preservation Houston recommended the protected landmark designation.

After brief commissioner questions, a motion to accept staff’s recommendation passed. The commission’s favorable recommendation advances the designation to City Council, which must act to finalize protected‑landmark status.

The designation as recommended would apply only to the main residence; a detached garage apartment on the property was listed in the staff report as non‑contributing and not included in the protected area.

Speakers quoted or named in this article are listed in the speakers section below.