Sunset Heights home with historic charm on display in annual tour
Monique and Steffen Poessiger describe their home as living an urban lifestyle in a historic home.
The couple bought a two-story home in 2012 in Sunset Heights. They enjoy the accessibility to the restaurants and amenities Downtown El Paso has to offer. At the time, they knew many quality-of-life improvements were planned for Downtown, including the Southwest University Stadium.
"When we moved in, we had a demolition party because we could see City Hall go down," said Monique Poessiger of the 2,800-square-foot home at 604 Stewart Court. "We usually are the starting point" of any get-together.
The home, which gives the appearance of being smaller from the front facade, will be featured in the Sunset Heights Neighborhood Improvement Association's 19th Annual Tour of Homes Oct. 7.
Founded in 1901, Sunset Heights is one of the first master-planned communities. Many of the homes in the neighborhood have been renovated and preserved and offer unique urban living while respecting the architecture of another time.
The Poessigers said the home has two fireplaces from the original design and six chimneys from when the house was built. Much of the home was modernized before they moved in, but they re-designed the front and back landscaping.
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Friends and family gather at the Poessigers' home to see the El Paso Chihuahuas' fireworks from the great view in their back room or before a walk down to the Plaza Theatre to see a show. They also take a trolley to UTEP games.
The three-bedroom home is perfect for entertaining with a front door that opens to a sitting area, living room and dining area, all in an open, airy space. The kitchen flanks the grand space with two different entryways leading to it.
The rooms are all decorated in muted hues of browns and beiges with hardwood floors and some tile. Many of the furniture pieces were specially ordered to fit the grand space. Visitors will be able to tour the grand space, family room, kitchen, back room (used by their 7-year-old for arts) and see their back patio and view.
The home tour will feature seven homes on the tour and a special pop-up art market with pieces from local artists. The Pop-up Art Market will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Sunset Heights Neighborhood Improvement Association uses funds from ticket sales to assist neighborhood residents with their properties, provide neighborhood activities and maintain the historical integrity of the neighborhood.
Here is a glimpse of the other six locations on the tour.
Trost House/McGregor Home, 1013 W. Yandell Drive
Henry Trost designed and built the house at 1013 W. Yandell Drive for his primary residence. It was built in 1908 and finished in 1909, according to the Sunset Heights Neighborhood Association.
Trost occupied the residence with his sister Matilda and two other brothers. Henry Trost died in 1933 on the front porch. The remaining Trosts lived there until 1948, at which time the Grossbecks bought it.
The Grossbecks subsequently sold it to Malcom and Bobba McGregor, who moved into it in the summer of 1958. A member of the McGregor family still occupies the home.
Sunset Parlor, 1307 N. Oregon St.
Sunset Parlor is an eclectic, art-filled, multipurpose venue feast for the senses. The wellness-focused center is owned by El Paso artist Harl Marcus and his daughter Leilainia Marcus.
Hal Marcus has described it as a mix of Mexican, Southwestern and modern influences along with impressionism.
The venue is across the street from the Hal Marcus Gallery at 1308 N. Oregon St.
Hal Marcus Gallery, 1308 N. Oregon St.
The Hal Marcus Gallery is also on the tour and will have tickets on the day of the tour and in advance. This blue house on Oregon Street between River and California avenues was probably built in the mid-1950s. It was built as a single-family home but now houses the colorful gallery.
Burges House, 603 W. Yandell Drive
The Burges House, the current headquarters of the El Paso County Historical Society, was built in 1912 for R.F. Burges. The home is an American Foursquare and was built by J.E. Morgan. Additions to the home were designed by Otto Thoman and done in 1927.
Burges was a local attorney and prominent civic leader who drafted El Paso's first city charter, lobbied for the construction of Elephant Butte Dam, was part of an expedition that led to the establishment of Carlsbad Caverns as a national monument and served in World War I, attaining the rank of major. He lived in the home until he died in 1945. His daughter, Jane Burges Perrenot, lived in the house until 1986. It was then bequeathed to the El Paso County Historical Society. Information courtesy of the El Paso County Historical Society.
Kohlberg House/Fischer Home, 525 Corto Way
The Kohlberg house was constructed in 1910 for Ernst and Olga Kohlberg. Olga Kohlberg is the woman for whom Kohlberg Elementary is named. She is famous for being a woman's rights activist of her time and is reported to have founded the first kindergarten in Texas. Architect Henry Trost designed the house in the architectural style of Mediterranean Revival. The roofing tile, exterior finish, exterior doors, windows, and cement plaster finish are original to the house. The landscaping and first-floor interior rooms have been restored to their original condition from 1910. Original interior features include hardwood floors, radiators, light fixtures, staircase, pocket doors and fireplaces. Be sure to note the circa 1910 photographs in the hallway. These photographs depict the first-floor rooms in their original condition. This house also served briefly as the Mexican Consulate. Information courtesy of El Paso County Historical Society and the Fischer Family.
Woman's Club of El Paso, 1400 N. Mesa St.
The Woman's Club building, located at 1400 N. Mesa, not only hosted civic and cultural organizations' meetings and fundraisers but also private parties, wedding receptions, music and dance recitals, dances and art shows, according to Times archives.
The building has a large auditorium and front parlors, as well as the ample parking lots across the street at the corner of River and Mesa.
Make plans for El Paso Sunset Heights tour
What: Sunset Heights 19th Annual Tour of Homes
When: noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 7.
Where: Seven homes will be featured: Poessigers home, 604 Stewart Ct., Sunset Parlor, 1307 N. Oregon St. Burges House, 603 W. Yandell, The Woman's Club of El Paso, 1400 N. Mesa, Kohlberg House/Fischer Home, 525 Corto Way, Hal Marcus Gallery, 1308 N. Oregon St., and the Trost House/McGregor Homem,1013 W. Yandell Dr.
Admission: Tickets are $10 for adults, and $5 for kids 10 and under.
Information: 915-593-9090. E-Tickets: https://savagegoods.square.site/?
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Sunset Heights home tour set for 2023
