River Oaks Mansion with a Uniquely Storied Past Lists for $16 Mil

River Oaks Mansion with a Uniquely Storied Past Lists for $16 Mil

IF WALLS COULD talk, the ones of the newly listed Neoclassical mansion at 2115 River Oaks Boulevard would sure have some fabulous stories to tell.


The former home of the late Baron Ricky di Potanova — the grandson of oil tycoon Hugh Roy Cullen — and Baroness Alessandra di Portanova, the palatial property has hosted dignitaries and celebrities from around the world. It is newly listed for $16 million.

Originally built in 1968, the 21,500-square-foot home underwent extensive renovations — at a cost totaling $10 million in today's market — in 2004, and boasts some original architectural elements with elegantly contemporary design flourishes, such as marble columns and flooring in the foyer, and a towering marble staircase.

The lot totals nearly 44,000 square feet, situated on the corner of River Oaks Boulevard and Avalon Place. A side courtyard is outfitted for entertaining, and while a pool is pretty standard-issue for a River Oaks manse, this one is truly something else. It's located inside, enclosed by a glass-paneled ceiling from which multiple chandeliers hang. The 12,0000-square-foot space is in the very middle of the home, and multiple entertaining areas, like a cozy great room and a media room, are connected by large wooden double doors. The pool area even has its own kitchen with bar seating and stainless-steel appliances.

A main kitchen, mahogany-paneled study, several fireplaces, and formal living and dining rooms round out the first floor. Upstairs, balconies overlook the pool area, and primary and secondary bedrooms are tucked away.

View the complete listing, by Nancy Almodovar of Nan and Company Properties Christie's International Real Estate, here.

Home + Real Estate
Meet Brian Boyter, New High-End Residential Broker with an Unique Background

BRIAN BOYTER IS a Houston native with an interesting background in real estate. After an impressive 16-year tenure managing commercial transactions in a Fortune 500 Real Estate Investment Trust, he recently made the shift to high-end residential brokerage. The experience left him uniquely suited to thrive in the sometimes-emotional world of buying or selling a home.

Keep Reading Show less

Alex Au-Yeung (photo by Jenn Duncan)

WHEN IT OPENED a few months ago, The Woodlands outpost of acclaimed Katy restaurant Phat Eatery was billed as Alex Au-Yeung's dream restaurant. Unfortunately, Au-Yeung never got to see it come to fruition, as he passed away earlier this year. But the James Beared-nominated chef-owner certainly left his mark — and in honor of what would be his 53rd birthday, operating partners Kevin Lee and Marvin He have organized two pop-up tribute dinners.

Keep Reading Show less
Food

WHAT DOES IT mean to be "rent-burdened"? The phrase describes those who spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing, and it's become an increasingly relevant part of the larger conversation about the American economy in a post-Covid world.

Keep Reading Show less
Home + Real Estate