A Terrell Hills home recently listed for $4.95 million has many of the hallmarks of a traditional Mediterranean villa, including an Italian tile roof. But don’t let the traditional details fool you — it was built in 2004.
“It has a really timeless feel to it,” said Caroline Kuper, part of the property’s listing team — along with her husband Rick — at Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty.
The seller is real-estate mogul Walter M. Embrey Jr., who’s developed apartment complexes in locales such as Denver, Phoenix and Orlando. UTSA also named its real-estate studies program following a major donation to the school.
To complete his dream home, Embrey teamed up with architect Mac Chesney, who’s responsible for designing many hospitals, banks, restaurants and residential properties in the San Antonio area with his firm Chesney Morales Partners Inc.
The resulting 7,490-square-foot villa has all the amenities of a luxury property, including a large walk-in closet, hand-scraped oak floors and high, flat-beamed ceilings. For the discerning oenophile, a refrigerated wine closet in the bar area near the living room can house over 400 bottles of the finest vintages.
The backyard features a pool, well manicured gardens and two loggias, or Spanish-style patios with repeating columns. One of the loggias features an outdoor kitchen and the other an outdoor fireplace, making them prime settings for entertaining. Indeed, the Embreys have hosted parties of over 500 people in the space, according to the list agents.
The dwelling has five bedrooms, five full baths and two half baths, with the primary bathroom featuring not one but two toilets in separate water closets.
All metal work in the house was designed by George Schroeder, who designed and created large metal sculptures at Lackland Air Force Base, the Justitia Wall honoring Bexar County veterans at Main/Military Plaza and the Newell Bridge, among other San Antonio landmarks. Schroeder’s metal design work is especially apparent in the Embrey home’s staircase railings and two balconies on the front of structure.
The exterior walls are made of sandstone, which is a feature not often seen in this area, according to Kuper. Rather than a driveway, the property features a motor court, a three-car garage and additional parking behind the house. Those alone may not accommodate 500 party guests, but they would offer a head start.
This home is listed by Caroline Kuper and Rick Kuper with Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty.
All photos and listing info via Realtor.com.
