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The 21,500-square foot River Oaks mansion formerly owned by Baron Ricky di Portanova is on the market for $16 million.
The 21,500-square foot River Oaks mansion formerly owned by Baron Ricky di Portanova is on the market for $16 million.
The 21,500-square foot River Oaks mansion formerly owned by Baron Ricky di Portanova is on the market for $16 million.
The 21,500-square foot River Oaks mansion formerly owned by Baron Ricky di Portanova is on the market for $16 million.
The 21,500-square foot River Oaks mansion formerly owned by Baron Ricky di Portanova is on the market for $16 million.
The 21,500-square foot River Oaks mansion formerly owned by Baron Ricky di Portanova is on the market for $16 million.
The 21,500-square foot River Oaks mansion formerly owned by Baron Ricky di Portanova is on the market for $16 million.
The 21,500-square foot River Oaks mansion formerly owned by Baron Ricky di Portanova is on the market for $16 million.
The formal dining area of the River Oaks mansion formerly owned by Baron Ricky di Portanova features three sets of French doors and leads you into the famed indoor pool.
One of the bedrooms in the River Oaks mansion formerly owned by Baron Ricky di Portanova.
The secondary kitchen situated inside the pool area of the River Oaks mansion formerly owned by Baron Ricky di Portanova and features bar seating, an expansive island, marble countertops and a tile backsplash.
One of the bedrooms in the River Oaks mansion formerly owned by Baron Ricky di Portanova.
A closet in the River Oaks mansion formerly owned by Baron Ricky di Portanova.
The study of the River Oaks mansion formerly owned by Baron Ricky di Portanova is ensconced in mahogany paneled walls, wood flooring, custom shelving and lavish gold-trimmed details.
A bathroom inside the River Oaks mansion previously owned by Baron Ricky di Portanova.
A 21,500-square foot mansion on River Oaks Boulevard that has been home to some of the city's most extravagant parties and hosted countless celebrities and dignitaries from around the world has been sold. The actual sale price isn't known, but the listing price was $16 million.
The home, which was owned by Baron Ricky di Portanova and his wife Baroness Alessandra di Portanova, formerly Sandra Hovas, recently underwent a $7 million renovation. The baron was the grandson of Houston icon and oil magnate Hugh Roy Cullen, and he and the baroness entertained at their River Oaks home for several years. The baron, who once listed the best things in life as "sun, sex and spaghetti," died in 2000.
“This home is a part of Houston history,” said Nancy Almodovar, CEO of Nan and Company Properties, which is listing the property. “Countless stories have been written and told for years of the opulent parties and its previous owner’s past. The current owners took on an extensive remodeling project with precision and exacting detail to modernize the home for today’s living, and of course, grand entertaining that is synonymous with the home’s history. It is truly a home that embodies both Houston’s future and its glamorous past.”
Nan and Company Properties announced the sale Wednesday on Instagram with a post that included video taken inside the lavish home.
A post shared by Nancy Almodovar (@nancy_almodovar)
The seven-bedroom, eight-bath home, which is located at 2115 River Oaks Boulevard on a 43,973-square foot lot, features marble columns, staircase and flooring.
The marble entryway of the River Oaks mansion formerly owned by Baron Ricky di Portanova that is on the market for $16 million.
The centerpiece of the home is the 12,000-square foot indoor pool area that was part of so many of the home's famous parties. Enclosed with a glass panel ceiling, the space features chandeliers and multiple entertaining areas connecting the home’s expansive living and dining areas.
The 12,000 square foot indoor pool in the Rivers Oak mansion formerly owned by Baron Ricky di Portanova is enclosed with a glass panel ceiling and features chandeliers and multiple entertaining areas connecting the home’s expansive living and dining areas.
The 12,000 square foot indoor pool in the River Oaks mansion formerly owned by Baron Ricky di Portanova is enclosed with a glass panel ceiling and features chandeliers and multiple entertaining areas connecting the home’s expansive living and dining areas.
A sitting area of the River Oaks mansion formerly owned by Baron Ricky di Portanova that leads you into the famed indoor pool.
Part of the room's lore is an often recited tale of actor Sir Roger Moore, who portrayed James Bond, dropping into a party at the home in character.
Matt Young has been a sports editor/writer at Chron since 2015. He's proudly from Alief and occasionally sits alone in his four-cornered room staring at candles. Reach him at matt.young@chron.com.