Drive about one hour south of Houston, and enter a Texas Gulf Coast paradise on Follet’s Island, where John and Amanda Howton, the owners and founders of Seahorse Estates, are intentionally building a luxury paradise for multi-generational families while conserving the natural habitat of the island.
John’s family began purchasing the land on Follet’s Island in the 1990s. The goal was always to create a subdivision for families, including the Howtons, to call home. In 2006, John finally succeeded in having the land recorded as a subdivision.
As part of the master plan, John and Amanda have carefully plotted only two rows of homes: beachfront homes with panoramic Gulf views and unobstructed bay views, and bayfront homes (second-row beach) with panoramic bay views over the 56-acre Drum Bay Nature Preserve and unobstructed Gulf views. Each custom, luxury home comes with 70-foot wide staggered lots more than half an acre in size, while allowing a minimum of 20 feet between homes.
“We wanted residents and vacationers to have lifelong views, privacy, and room to breathe,” John explains. “Everyone can enjoy sunrises to sunsets without leaving their homes.”
Beachfront homes sometimes have the worry of eroding shorelines, but the homes in Seahorse Estates are different. They are positioned on the most stable section of Follet’s Island, with growing beaches, according to the General Land Office. These pristine, uncrowded beaches provide the perfect setting for swimming, shelling, and family gatherings. Carefully planned amenities include putt-putt golf, bocce ball, and cornhole. Fireworks are also allowed on the beach, and with top-notch amenities, luxury dwellings, and one-of-a-kind views, it’s not hard to imagine endless days and evenings at Seahorse Estates.
Bayside, the homes are situated adjacent to the Drum Bay Nature Preserve, where there is an abundance of wildlife, including more than 250 bird species. Residents and visitors have easy access to an elevated ADA-compliant boardwalk that traverses three natural ponds for crabbing and ends in a well-lit fishing pier that extends into Drum Bay.
As developers, the Howtons could have selected any plot of land to call home, but they selected bayside. Amanda loves that their bayside home faces the beach, with bay views behind the house.
Designed for multi-generational families and separate families vacationing together, the luxury homes include elevators, high-speed Wi-Fi, sound systems in the living spaces, water filtration systems, pre-wired generators, summer kitchens for grilling fresh fish outdoors, and hot tubs on outdoor decks for relaxation. “Inside, each home has two living areas with fireplaces to allow for flexible family gatherings,” says Amanda.
Withstanding harsh weather conditions is essential to waterfront home design. At Seahorse Estates, decks are constructed of composite water-shedding materials; aluminum roofs are installed to protect against the elements; and homes qualify for Texas State Windstorm insurance. Natural geological protection is provided by the growing beach and deep setbacks (currently approximately 276 feet from the vegetation line).
Seahorse Estates has a homeowners association (HOA) to continue to plan thoughtfully for the community. HOA amenities include mosquito spraying, well-managed water, and backup systems with zero water bills for homeowners.
“We wanted to maximize the return for the homeowner,” says John. “While a few will choose to live on the island year-round, others will rent their homes to vacationers. We provide on-site property management to preserve a family-friendly environment. Cabana and full-time concierge services add to the luxurious vacationing amenities.”
The 49-home community has seven beach walkovers and a centrally located ADA-compliant ramp to provide easy access for growing or aging family members. Parking has been designed to accommodate large families without disrupting the beautiful beach and bayfront views or neighbors’ enjoyment.
“Our goal is to build legacy homes for the families that build here and create life-long memories for the families that vacation on Follet’s Island,” says John. “Every decision we make is made with the love of this diverse and beautifully bayside and beachfront landscape and the wildlife that inhabits the area. We want to protect this natural environment for generations to come.” seahorsetx.com
Seahorse Estates is built on Amanda and John Howton’s love of nature and family.
Amanda shares, “Our greatest memories are with our family on this island. Our children caught their first crab and fish with John’s dad in the bayside ponds. Now that they are older, they still want to come to this paradise with their friends. It’s a special place where everyone wants to call home. Life is about enjoying spontaneous moments together, and what better place to create moments than Follet’s Island? Family legacies are built in this sanctuary.”