Crossword Genius

24 perhaps, each to display houses (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

seaport

'24 perhaps' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'each to display houses' is the wordplay.
'each' becomes 'ea'.
'to display' becomes 'sport' (I've seen this before**).
'houses' is an insertion indicator.
'ea' going inside 'sport' is 'SEAPORT'.

(Other definitions for seaport that I've seen before include "Place with harbour for ocean-going ships" , "Bordeaux, say" , "access to drink" , "Coastal town with harbour" , "Dover, say" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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