John Thrush is the CEO of energy company eCORP International, while his wife is known for her philanthropy and knack for throwing great parties.
In fact, almost as revered as the custom home itself is the impressive list of A-listers who have visited the party venue over the years.
From George Clooney and Anna Wintour to Presidents George H.W. Bush and Barack Obama, the guest list for Thrash's legendary fundraiser includes some of the biggest names in Hollywood, sports and politics.
In 1994, the Thrash family bought the 18,113-square-foot luxury home, which was built in 1965.
"The house was originally built by architect Preston Bolton, and when [the Thrashes] bought the house, they completely remodeled it and tripled its size," says Jay Monroe, a listing agent at Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty - Houston Central Brokerage. "It still has the feel of Mexican estate brick, combined with modern black steel and glass additions."
The house will be auctioned with "no reserve price". The guide price was set at $19.5 million.
"We're starting to see more types of auctions because it eliminates long waiting times," Ms. Munro said. The couple who own the house work part-time in Paris and are big philanthropists. Now the business has taken them to Europe and that is why they have decided to sell."
The layout of the contemporary house is designed for large gatherings.
A huge kitchen with plenty of space for caterers; A striking open dining room has exposed brick walls and a courtyard glass ceiling.
Apart from all the glass and lighting, the setting of the showcase home is "super private" and "very secluded," Munro noted.
"Even though the house is 18,000 square feet, there aren't a lot of rooms," he said. "There's a lot of wide open space."
The home pays homage to the designs of I.M. Pei, Frank Lloyd Wright and Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe, and its stylish interior features granite, SLATE, oak and large areas of glass.
Wood coffered ceilings, seven fireplaces, numerous recessed furniture and even a 44-foot pool are all part of the protruding space.
Stunning two story master suite features built-in beds, huge walk-in closets, and original views of the multi-story private backyard. For those afraid of heights, the floor can be intimidating.
"One of the most interesting features is the super strong glass floor in the master suite," Monroe said.
Located on 3.6 acres, the property also boasts a separate guesthouse.
The auction with no reserve price is scheduled to take place May 18-23 on Sotheby's Concierge Auctions' online marketplace, where buyers from around the world can participate remotely.
