A house by one of San Antonio’s most famous architects has hit the market in Monte Vista.

Atlee B. Ayers was a prolific architect responsible for designing some of San Antonio’s most iconic landmarks. Those include the Plaza Hotel and the Atkinson House, which later became the McNay Art Museum. He also remodeled the Menger Hotel, designed the exterior of the Municipal Auditorium and helped erect the city’s first skyscraper, the Smith-Young Tower.

Ayers also designed homes throughout San Antonio, including this six-bed, six-and-a-half-bath dwelling in Monte Vista. Constructed in 1906, this house is replete with all the grandeur for which Ayers was known.

On the exterior, stately Corinthian columns greet guests and set a tone of sophistication.
What the sales listing calls “exquisite architectural details” abound throughout the interior. Those include hardwood and travertine marble flooring, intricate moldings, stained glass windows and chandeliers. Elegant corbels add further architectural interest and also serve a weight-bearing purpose to support the 4,064 square-foot house structurally.

Though its original purpose is unknown, one of the house’s many bedrooms was designed with a secret room attached, which can be accessed through a bookcase.

As another Texas rarity, the house also has a finished basement with a bedroom and bathroom.

Though the house was originally a private residence, it later became a bed & breakfast called the 1908 Ayers Inn, which operated until 2013 when it became a private residence again.

The current asking price for this historic property is $1.1 million. 

This home is listed by Kellie Daniels with Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper Realtors.

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.

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