Why do luxury buyers seek out Atlee B. Ayres homes in San Antonio?
Atlee B. Ayres (1873–1969) is the architect most closely tied to San Antonio's identity — the designer behind the home that became the McNay Art Museum, the Tower Life Building, and the exterior of the Municipal Auditorium. His private residences are rare, rarely listed, and concentrated in historic neighborhoods like Monte Vista. Right now, 228 W Mulberry Ave — a 1917 limestone home attributed to Ayres, with 5,183 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, and a permitted guest house — is listed at $1,325,000.
By Caroline Decherd, Park Properties Group | October 2, 2026
The architect you've already met — without knowing his name
If you've spent an afternoon at the McNay, caught a show at the Municipal Auditorium, or looked up at the Tower Life Building downtown, you've experienced Atlee B. Ayres's work. (San Antonio Current)
Ayres moved to San Antonio as a teenager in 1888 and practiced here until he died in 1969 at 96 — still working. (TSHA Handbook of Texas)
A few things set him apart:
- He was State Architect of Texas in the mid-1910s, designing major public buildings in Austin, including the Texas School for the Blind.
- He worked on more than 500 projects, mostly in and around San Antonio. (SNAC)
- He helped define a regional style. Historians credit Ayres with developing an architecture that honored San Antonio's Spanish heritage, and later partnered with his son Robert as Ayres & Ayres. (AIA Historical Directory)
- He designed for the city's most prominent families. His residential clients were the people building San Antonio, which is why his homes cluster in neighborhoods like Monte Vista.
That last point is why an Ayres home is a different kind of purchase. You're not just buying square footage. You're buying a piece of the city's architectural record — one of a limited number that will ever exist.
Why architect-attributed homes hold their appeal
In luxury real estate, provenance matters the same way it does with art or watches. A home tied to a named architect carries a story buyers can verify, repeat, and pass down.
That story also narrows the competition. When an Ayres-attributed home lists, it isn't competing with every 5,000-square-foot home in Bexar County. It's competing with the handful of comparable historic homes available that year — often none.
Inside 228 W Mulberry Ave: a 1917 Ayres home on a Monte Vista corner
228 W Mulberry Ave was built in 1917 and sits on a prominent corner lot in the Monte Vista Historic District. It's attributed to Ayres, and the architectural integrity has been kept intact while select updates have been added over time.
Detail | 228 W Mulberry Ave |
|---|---|
List price | $1,325,000 |
Year built | 1917 |
Living area | 5,183 sq ft |
Beds / baths | 4 / 4 |
Guest house | Detached, two-story, approx. 1,100 sq ft |
Exterior | Limestone |
Ceilings | Approx. 10 ft |
ZIP | 78212 |
What it feels like to live there
The house was built for the way people actually entertain. Rooms are generously scaled, the ceilings run about 10 feet, and the floorplan flows from one space to the next.
French doors open onto wraparound patios, so a dinner party can drift outside without anyone noticing the transition. Upstairs, balconies give you a second set of outdoor rooms — a morning coffee spot under the mature trees.
The limestone exterior is the detail people remember. It's a material that ages well, and it ties the house to the Texas building tradition Ayres championed.
The guest house changes the math
The detached two-story guest house adds roughly 1,100 square feet — and it's permitted for short-term rental use.
That opens several paths:
- Income to offset carrying costs through short-term rental
- Multigenerational living with privacy for everyone
- A home office or studio fully separate from the main house
- A true guest suite for visiting family and friends
Short-term rental rules in San Antonio can change, so you'll want to verify current city regulations, permits, and any future compliance requirements before you count on rental income.
Where you'll spend your weekends
The location is central. You're minutes from Downtown, the Pearl, the San Antonio Zoo, and San Antonio International Airport.
For dinner and coffee, Capparelli's on Main, Barbaro, La Fonda on Main, and Merit Coffee are all nearby.
What buying a historic Monte Vista home really involves
Monte Vista isn't just an old neighborhood — it's a protected one. The City of San Antonio designated it a local historic district in 1975, and it joined the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. (Monte Vista Historical Association)
The district covers about 100 city blocks just north of Downtown, and it's often described as one of the largest historic districts in the country. (MVHA) Ayres is one of the architects who shaped it, alongside names like Alfred Giles and James Riely Gordon. (The Cultural Landscape Foundation)
Here's what that protection means for you as an owner:
- Exterior changes need approval. Plans to alter the outside of the home typically go through the city's Historic and Design Review Commission. Budget extra time for any exterior project.
- Your neighbors' homes are protected too. The same rules that limit your changes limit everyone else's. That's a big part of why the streetscape — and the setting around your investment — stays intact.
- Inspections need a specialist's eye. A 1917 home deserves inspectors who understand original systems, foundations, and materials like limestone. Plan for it.
- Insurance and maintenance look different. Historic materials can cost more to repair or replace. Get insurance quotes early in your option period.
- Ask about incentives. San Antonio has offered historic preservation tax incentives for qualifying rehabilitation work. Eligibility rules vary, so confirm with the city's Office of Historic Preservation.
None of this is a reason to hesitate. It's a reason to work with someone who has been through it. These are exactly the questions I walk buyers through before they ever write an offer on a historic home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Atlee B. Ayres?
Atlee B. Ayres (1873–1969) was a San Antonio architect who worked on more than 500 projects and served as State Architect of Texas. His work includes the home that became the McNay Art Museum, the Tower Life Building, and the exterior of the Municipal Auditorium.
Is there an Atlee B. Ayres home for sale in San Antonio right now?
Yes. 228 W Mulberry Ave in the Monte Vista Historic District is a 1917 home attributed to Ayres, listed at $1,325,000. It has 5,183 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, and a detached guest house of about 1,100 square feet.
Can you renovate a home in the Monte Vista Historic District?
Yes, but exterior changes generally require approval from San Antonio's Historic and Design Review Commission. Interior updates are typically more flexible. Confirm requirements with the city before starting any project.
Can the guest house at 228 W Mulberry Ave be used as a short-term rental?
The guest house is permitted for short-term rental use. Because city rules can change, buyers should verify current regulations, permitting, and future compliance requirements independently.
How far is Monte Vista from Downtown San Antonio and the Pearl?
Monte Vista sits about 1.5 miles north of Downtown. The Pearl, the San Antonio Zoo, and San Antonio International Airport are all a short drive away.
A rare chance to own part of San Antonio's story
Homes attributed to Atlee B. Ayres don't come up often, and when they do, they're gone before most buyers know they existed. 228 W Mulberry Ave pairs that provenance with a Monte Vista corner lot, room to entertain, and a permitted guest house.
If you'd like to walk through the home, talk through what owning a historic property involves, or see how it compares to other luxury options in Alamo Heights, Terrell Hills, and Olmos Park, I'd love to show you around.
About Caroline Decherd
Caroline Decherd leads Park Properties Group, a San Antonio luxury real estate team specializing in Alamo Heights, Terrell Hills, Olmos Park, and the city's historic neighborhoods.
