A historic San Antonio home listed for $650,000 just two blocks from the Alamodome has quite the story to tell.

Designated an Individual Historical Landmark by the city of San Antonio, this century home has seen it all — high society, disrepair and neglect, a date with the wrecking ball, an 11th-hour rescue and a triumphant rebirth.

But all that history still hasn’t landed it a buyer.

Though the listing states that the five-bedroom, three-bath residence was built in 1900, city records show that the one-and-a-half-story Queen Anne was actually constructed in 1897.

The East Side landmark’s first owner was Nicholas Lee Petrich, who founded the Petrich-Saur Lumber Company in 1907 and served as its first president.

Petrich, who went by N. Lee Petrich, remained president of the business until his death in 1933. He’s credited as playing a significant role in San Antonio’s 1920s building boom.

Frederick Bowen Gaenslen, an architect renowned for his Romanesque ecclesiastical creations, designed the home for Petrich.

Gaenslen is also the architect responsible for the chapel at Incarnate Word, the Our Lady of the Lake Convent, St. Anthony Catholic School, St. Mary’s Catholic Church and St. Gerard’s Church, rectory and school, among other Catholic churches and related buildings throughout Texas.

This house was a project early in his career, but the prowess that set him apart was already apparent. Indeed, Gaenslen built this dwelling the year he formed his own architectural firm.

The 2,900-square-foot home includes many characteristics of the Queen Anne style, including heavy turned columns with spandrels and balustrades on its three porches.

A second-story porch over the entry provides additional curb appeal and offers a recessed porch for the upper story, which has a small dormer in the center along with a larger asymmetrical dormer to the west. This unusual and asymmetrical design is why city historic records list it as a “1.5 story” home.

Despite the home’s lineage, it fell into disrepair, was boarded up and was scheduled for demolition, as the Current reported in January 2025.

Fortunately, the city’s Office of Historic Preservation intervened and saved the house by declaring it a historic landmark. A 2021 remodel gave the dwelling a new lease on life, including an open floor plan, modern fireplaces and quartz countertops.

There is little evidence of Gaenslen’s artistry inside the home after the extensive renovations. However, the Victorian home’s coveted vaulted ceilings remain.

Despite the home’s Hail Mary and subsequent glow-up, it’s back on the market for $50,000 less than its 2025 asking price of $700,000 and far less than its 2022 asking price of $849,900. It’s also available as a short-term rental and comes fully furnished.

This home is listed by Amy C. White with Reliance Residential Realty.

All photos and listing info via Realtor.com.

Every house has a story, and our mission is to tell San Antonio’s story through the lens of our community’s historic and colorful homes. The San Antonio Current’s real estate features are not ads, and are strictly operated through our editorial department. But we love public input. Do you know of a unique San Antonio home that we should highlight? Let us know, and email skoithan@sacurrent.com.