Some Houston houses are known locally. Few become stories that travel. Robb Report recently featured 2115 River Oaks Boulevard, the Neoclassical estate once owned by Baron Enrico "Ricky" di Portanova and Baroness Alessandra di Portanova. The article was republished on Yahoo Life and Yahoo Singapore, carrying one of River Oaks' most discussed residences to international readers.
The home is offered at $21.9 million and listed by Nancy Almodovar of Nan & Company Properties. For longtime Houstonians, the coverage revisits a house that has rarely left the conversation. For buyers weighing a significant River Oaks property, it offers something equally useful: an outside view of what makes this estate distinct, and which details an international luxury audience finds worth reading about.
Why Robb Report Turned to a Houston Address
Robb Report covers national and international luxury homes, placing a Houston feature among coastal estates and resort properties. 2115 River Oaks has a combination that few listings can claim: a well-documented social history, a property defining feature, and two decades of renovations.
The Natatorium: The Room That Defines 2115 River Oaks Boulevard
Every feature eventually arrives at the same space, and Robb Report is no exception. During their renovations, the di Portanovas enclosed the back of the home in a 12,000-square-foot natatorium: a glass-enclosed, climate-controlled entertaining space built around a saltwater pool. Chandeliers hang above the water, seating and dining areas are arranged across marble floors, and a plexiglass stage sits within the room.
The pavilion is the backdrop that creates headlines. The Baron and Baroness hosted guests including Joan Collins and Roger Moore. The evening can be described as a Bond-style affair, which is fitting for a house whose reputation was built as much on hospitality as on architecture.
For a buyer, the natatorium is more than a conversation piece. It is a year-round space impressing guests on a scale rarely found in a private residence. Several rooms open toward it, and the primary suite overlooks it.
Two Decades of Renovation Behind the Legend
A legendary house is only appealing to a modern buyer if it is functional.Between 2002 and 2004, architect and designer JD Bartell led a $7 million renovation that took the house down to the studs. The work kept the original Neoclassical character while adding marble columns and a grand marble staircase in the foyer. The current owners have continued to invest, adding an elevator and Gaggenau wine storage and upgrading the home theater.
A buyer here is not inheriting a period piece frozen in the 1970s. The house carries its history in its rooms and stories, while its structure and systems reflect recent work.
Inside the Rest of the Residence
Beyond the pool pavilion, the interiors lean on craftsmanship: Venetian plaster and custom millwork define the formal entertaining rooms. A mahogany-paneled study offers a quieter counterpoint. The kitchen is fitted with Viking appliances, and a separate catering kitchen supports large events without disrupting daily use of the main kitchen.
Upstairs, the primary suite includes its own sitting area and a private balcony overlooking the pool pavilion. Its bathroom is finished in marble and centered on a freestanding soaking tub. Additional spaces include a wellness suite, a fountain courtyard, and a guest apartment suite. The home sits at 21,500 square feet on a lot of roughly one acre at the corner of River Oaks Boulevard and Avalon Place, within the River Oaks Country Club Estates subdivision.
A Second Listing Chapter With Nan & Company Properties
This is the second time Nancy Almodovar has represented the estate. When it came to market, it went under contract in less than a month.
In a statement announcing the new listing, Almodovar said, "I'm excited to list this home for the second time around." That continuity is useful to buyers. A brokerage that has marketed and closed the same property before brings familiarity with the home's renovation history, its distinctive spaces, and the questions serious buyers tend to raise.
Nan & Company Properties is a Houston-based luxury brokerage serving Houston, The Woodlands, Galveston, and surrounding markets, with affiliations including Forbes Global Properties, Luxury Portfolio International, and LeadingRE.
Explore 2115 River Oaks Boulevard
National coverage has a way of reminding a city what it already owns. For readers who have followed this house for decades, the Robb Report feature adds a new chapter to a familiar story. For buyers, it is an invitation to see the estate in person. To request details or arrange a private tour of 2115 River Oaks Boulevard, or to explore other luxury homes across Houston, connect with a Nan & Company Properties real estate professional at nanproperties.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is 2115 River Oaks Boulevard located?
The estate sits at the corner of River Oaks Boulevard and Avalon Place in Houston, Texas 77019, within the River Oaks Country Club Estates subdivision.
What is the asking price for 2115 River Oaks Boulevard?
The home is listed at $21.9 million with Nancy Almodovar of Nan & Company Properties, as reported by Robb Report in October 2026.
Why is the home known as the di Portanova mansion?
It was the residence of Baron Enrico "Ricky" di Portanova, a grandson of oilman Hugh Roy Cullen, and Baroness Alessandra di Portanova. The couple enlarged the home and hosted widely reported parties there.
What did Robb Report highlight about the property?
The feature focused on the 12,000-square-foot glass-enclosed natatorium with its saltwater pool, the home's social history, the 2002 to 2004 renovation led by JD Bartell, and recent upgrades by the current owners.
How large is the home?
The residence is 21,500 square feet on a lot of roughly one acre.
