San Antonio’s real estate market experienced a topsy-turvy 2023.
Despite record high interest rates, prices continued to climb, though not always as high as sellers hoped. A few landmark properties were tied to well-known local figures — Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich and disgraced lawyer Chris Pettit, for example. Meanwhile, people continued to move to the Alamo City in waves, further driving demand for housing.
Since the start of the year, San Antonio has experienced sales listings for dwellings of famous newsmakers, homes designed by renowned architects and plenty of houses with extravagant, breathtaking or just plain weird design touches.
Here are seven of the Current‘s most popular real estate stories of 2023.
An early-1960s time capsule
A Mid-Century Modern home in North San Antonio that’s been lovingly preserved as an architectural time capsule by its current owner hit the market in May. A local architect designed and built the three-bedroom, three-bath home in 1960 as his family residence, drawing on design elements from Frank Lloyd Wright, according to the sales listing. Wright’s influence is apparent in the 3,000-square-foot property’s bold angles, high ceilings and copious windows that let in natural light. This home is currently off the market. Credit: Realtor.comCredit: Realtor.comCredit: Realtor.comCredit: Realtor.comCredit: Realtor.comCredit: Realtor.comDisgraced San Antonio lawyer Chris Pettit’s mansion
Although it technically went on the market in late 2022, this historic San Antonio mansion in the Olmos Basin has remained for sale throughout 2023. The 6,500-square foot property was once the residence of former attorney Christopher “Chris” Pettit, who pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud and money laundering charges in October. Late last year, in the midst of Pettit’s legal woes, the home went on the market for just under $4 million, but its price has since been slashed to just under $3 million. Credit: Realtor.comCredit: Realtor.comCredit: Realtor.comCredit: Realtor.comCredit: Realtor.comCredit: Realtor.comA home with a $5K Dolce & Gabbana vent hood and lots of custom wall coverings
A 1928 home described in a sales listing as a “French Normandy-style property” hit the market in Olmos Park this summer. Several of the colorfully decorated rooms shown in the sales listing appear to boast custom wall coverings depicting a variety of flora and fauna, while the kitchen boasts a vibrantly colored vent hood above the cooking range that a little research revealed is a $5,000 Dolce & Gabbana creation. This home is currently off the market. Credit: Realtor.comCredit: Realtor.comCredit: Realtor.comCredit: Realtor.comCredit: Realtor.comCredit: Realtor.comCoach Pop’s former home
Gregg Popovich sold his home in the Dominion in 2020, but it came back on the market with a $5.5 million price tag earlier this year. Situated on a 2.6-acre lot, the dwelling includes four bedrooms and five and a half baths plus a two-story living room with a floor-to-ceiling fireplace and a wall of windows overlooking a swimming pool, according to listing details. Fitting Popovich’s reputation as a lover of fine vino, the property also includes a 600-square-foot temperature-controlled wine cellar made of reclaimed Jerusalem stone that can hold up to 3,000 bottles. The home is currently listed for just under $4 million. Credit: Realtor.comCredit: Realtor.comCredit: Realtor.comCredit: Realtor.comCredit: Realtor.comCredit: Realtor.comElon Musk mocked on X for wearing cowboy hat backward during South Texas trip Credit: Realtor.comVideo of San Antonio man driving down Loop 410 in giant Lowe’s shopping cart goes viral Credit: Realtor.comH-E-B Frankenstein cake with ‘Edgar’ haircut goes viral Credit: Realtor.comHouston Astros fans blame Ted Cruz for team’s loss to Texas Rangers Credit: Realtor.comWTF Food News: Tombstone drops dive bar-inspired pizza loaded with deep-fried pub snacks Credit: Realtor.comCredit: Realtor.comA French-style chateau with a wine cellar and a sauna
Despite its 1999 construction date, this three-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bath residence seems to be of a much older vintage. The formal dining room features high ceilings with dramatic wood beams and a massive chandelier, while a spiral staircase winds its way to the second floor. Beyond those touches of elegance, the property includes a wine cellar, an outdoor sauna, a wood-paneled home theater and an outdoor kitchen equipped with a conventional stove, a gas grill and wood-fired stone oven. This home is currently listed at $1.85 million. Credit: Realtor.comCredit: Realtor.comCredit: Realtor.comCredit: Realtor.comCredit: Realtor.comCredit: Realtor.comAn eclectic home with a bar that looks like a piano
The house was built in 1938 for the Barshop family, best known for founding the La Quinta hotel chain. However, its eclectic — some might say “over-the-top” — interior came later. The home features Spanish Eclectic, Art Moderne and Tudor Revival ingredients added by three separate builders, as well as mirrored mosaics in several rooms and an expansive ballroom with a bar top tiled to resemble piano keys. It is currently listed at $615,000. Credit: Realtor.comCredit: Realtor.comCredit: Realtor.comCredit: Realtor.comCredit: Realtor.comCredit: Realtor.com
