2115 River Oaks Boulevard is one of the most recognized addresses in Houston. The former residence of Baron Ricky di Portanova and Baroness Alessandra di Portanova is back on the market at $21.9 million, listed by Nancy Almodovar, CEO of Nan & Company Properties, and PaperCity Magazine has given the estate a fresh feature.
According to PaperCity, this is only the third time the home has come to market since the Baron's passing in 2000. For anyone following River Oaks luxury homes, the listing offers a closer look at how a residence famous for its past continues to stun buyers decades later.
The Mansion’s Glamorous History
Baron Ricky di Portanova was an heir to the Cullen oil fortune, and his wife, Baroness Alessandra "Sandra" di Portanova, was a native Houstonian. PaperCity reports that the couple purchased what was then a fairly traditional home in the 1970s and reshaped it into one of Houston's best-known entertaining houses.
Their gatherings brought film stars and international guests to River Oaks Boulevard. Among the most remembered was a James Bond-themed party featuring Mr. 007 himself, Sir Roger Moore. PaperCity also recalls late evenings after charity galas, when the couple invited friends back to the house and Portanova himself cooked pasta in the summer kitchen.
Since 2000, the home has sold twice. Nancy Almodovar represented the property when it was listed at $16 million in 2021, and she holds the listing once again.
"I'm excited to list this home for the second time around," says Almodovar.
"2115 River Oaks Boulevard is such a special part of Houston's history, and its incredible spaces for entertaining make it unforgettable." She added that she looks forward to helping the next owner create their own memories in the home.
Architecture And Design As Rich As Its Story
The residence is approximately 21,500 square feet sitting on 1.01 acres. The home features six bedrooms, eight full bathrooms, and one half bath. The interior is designed around entertaining, with formal rooms that open toward the home's signature space.
The Glass-Enclosed Natatorium
The di Portanovas added a 12,000-square-foot, glass-enclosed natatorium: a climate-controlled entertaining hall centered on an indoor saltwater pool. It became the focal point of the home and remains the defining feature. The kitchen sits in one corner, and the primary suite has a private balcony that overlooks the pool pavilion.
Interiors Designed for Hosting
Beyond the natatorium, the home includes a catering kitchen, a private theater, a wine room, and a mahogany-paneled study. A spiral staircase rises to a detailed ceiling, and the main level offers both a formal living room and a more intimate sitting room, making the home perfect for extravagant affairs and quieter evenings alike.
Contemporary Updates
The estate was extensively renovated before its 2021 listing. Since then, the current owners have updated the property on several fronts, including new doors and windows, refreshed landscaping, Gaggenau wine storage, and an elevator. These updates address the practical side of owning a home of this scale while keeping its character intact.
Nan & Company Properties and River Oaks
Nan & Company Properties has a direct history with this estate. Nancy Almodovar represented the sellers in the 2022 sale, and she now represents the property again in 2026. That continuity gives the brokerage firsthand knowledge of the home, its renovation history, and the kind of interest it attracts.
The brokerage's work extends across River Oaks, Memorial, The Woodlands, Galveston, and surrounding markets. Through its affiliations with Forbes Global Properties, Luxury Portfolio International, and LeadingRE, Nan & Company Properties connects Houston listings with luxury buyers and partner brokerages across the country and abroad. For an estate with an international story, that reach matters as much as local market knowledge.
A Houston Landmark, Ready for Its Next Chapter
2115 River Oaks Boulevard has been a private home, a social stage, and a renovation project, and each chapter has added to its place in Houston's residential history. PaperCity's renewed coverage is a reminder that some homes are known by their address alone.
To request details on 2115 River Oaks Boulevard or to arrange a private showing, contact Nancy Almodovar and the Nan & Company Properties team. You can also explore River Oaks luxury homes and the rest of our current portfolio at nanproperties.com.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2115 River Oaks Boulevard
What is the asking price for 2115 River Oaks Boulevard?
The estate is listed at $21.9 million. It was previously listed at $16 million in 2021 and sold in 2022.
Who previously owned 2115 River Oaks Boulevard?
The home is best known as the residence of Baron Ricky di Portanova, an heir to the Cullen oil fortune, and Baroness Alessandra di Portanova. The couple bought it in the 1970s and added its famous glass-enclosed natatorium.
How large is the home?
HAR lists the residence at approximately 21,500 square feet on about 1.01 acres, with six bedrooms, eight full bathrooms, and one half bath. The glass-enclosed natatorium alone measures about 12,000 square feet.
What updates have the current owners made?
New doors and windows, refreshed landscaping, Viking appliances, upgraded chiller systems, Gaggenau wine storage, an enhanced home theater, and a new elevator have been added.
Who is the listing agent for 2115 River Oaks Boulevard?
The estate is listed by Nancy Almodovar, CEO of Nan & Company Properties. Private showings can be arranged through nanproperties.com.
