An imperious mansion located in a Houston subdivision — and, no, not in a galaxy far, far away — sold earlier this month for $3.4 million.
The property is known as the Darth Vader house. The unique home, built by a surgeon in the ’90s to resemble a Lockheed Nighthawk stealth fighter, received the moniker for its imposing, helmet-like facade — which give it a quirky “Star Wars” vibe.
After several changed hands and a few years on the market, the home has found a new owner in Mexican artist and photographer Enrique Cabrera, the Houston Chronicle reported, and he plans to rebrand the dwelling.
The helmet-like home was built in 1992. TK Images/Mega
The home earned its local monkier from the “Star Wars” villain Darth Vader. ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett CollectionThe 7,040-square-foot residence is located in Houston’s West University subdivision. Its angular dark slate and aluminum exteriors are unmistakable, and earned it a spot on the popular Instagram account Zillow Gone Wild.
The viral property was built in 1992 for Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Jean Cuckier. Architect Randy Hickey told Texas Monthly that Cuckier was inspired by a stealth fighter jet.
The interiors are just as striking as the facade.
Laser-blue backlighting illuminates the living area, which features a sunken conversation put and two floating glass staircases.
The sunken conversation pit is lit up by strip lights and floor-to-ceiling windows. TK Images/Mega
The twin floating staircases. TK Images/Mega
The kitchen features textured, hand-cut counters. TK Images/Mega
The angular stone flooring extends into the primary bedroom. TK Images/Mega
Even the bathrooms are edgy in their look. TK Images/MegaThe angular black and white floors, made of concrete and hand-cut black stone, run throughout the home’s four bedrooms and five bathrooms. The home also boasts a four-car garage and a hot tub.
The eye-catching mansion hit the market in2021 for $4.3 million. It was sold the same year to real estate agent Jason Junkin of Nitya Realty.
“I lived in Houston most of my life, and I had always seen the house, and it was just kind of an emotional buy I guess,” Junkin told the Houston Chronicle. “If the house next door was for sale, I wouldn’t have even batted an eye at it.
Junkin sought to sell the home with another brokerage before he reestablished himself as its listing agent. It most recently advertised for $3.35 million.
The home as seen from the suburban sidewalk. TK Images/Mega
A dining area. TK Images/Mega
The office. TK Images/Mega
An outdoor area. TK Images/MegaA blog post by Nan and Co. Properties, whose agent Hardy Pollard represented Cabrera, confirmed the purchase of the home for $3.4 million.
The angular nature of the house appears to compliment the artist’s style.
Cabrera may be locally known to New Yorkers as the sculptor behind “La Gran Manzana,” a large, angular red apple near Rockefeller Center and “El Toro de Oro,” a large, angular golden bull in the Meatpacking District.
The artist, Enrique Cabrera, purchased the home this month. WireImageCabrera plans to use the home as a private residence, according to the Houston Chronicle, and to install one of his bull sculptures on the property. He’s also changing the name.
Cabrera told the publication that he is renaming the property “The Black Bull House.”
