Near Mythical in its historical wealth, San Antonio also offers a trove of residential treasure.

Among the most fabulous is Eldon Manor in Terrell Hills, an area rich with homes of extraordinary architectural prominence -- leavened with a hefty dose of Texascharm.

Rising behind iron gates and set on 1.8 acres of palms, fountains and manicured lawns, at more than 14,000 square feet the home is ten times the size of the Alamo, just five miles away. 

Built in 1927, and completely reconstructed in the early part of this century, the residence reflects the extraordinary adventures of its worldtraveling owner.

The floors are inlaid Italian marble and hand-distressed hardwoods, the seven fireplaces are carved limestone, and the 14-foot entry doors were hand-carved by a Polishartisan. 

A hand-painted replica of an Italian opera house ceiling caps the two-story great room. Columns came from the Far East, eighteenthcentury Italian chandeliers dazzle ceilings.

For storing the 1945 Chateau Mouton-Rothschild Jeroboam, the "lavish wine cellar holds up to 3,000 bottles" says Elizabeth Priest, who is marketing the property along-side Jason Glast, of Keller Williams Luxury International, the city's top luxury brokerage.

Timelessly elegant yet absolutely contemporary, Priest calls the home with its media room, Lutron lighting, indoor/outdoor sound, and state-of-the-art gym, "a brilliant merger of old world with modern amenities and security."  

This home was designed as a family home, but with entertaining on a grand scale in mind.  The prohibition-era ballroom on the third floor has been transformed into a game room, and media room, with a bar.

"Schools here are among the best," says Priest. "Terrell Hills is within the highly acclaimed Alamo Heights public school district and a short drive to several exceptional private schools."  

"It is an ideal location," she says. "Eldon Manor is within minutes of the the finest, upscale restaurants, shopping and the San Antonio Country Club…And should you wish to hand-pick your own Bordeaux,the airport is just five minutes away."

For more information about this property, contact Jason Glast at 210-386-1833.

Near San Antonio, Texas

Rarely does a luxury property become available that you can develop exactly as you wish-without having to start from the ground up. Such is the case for 533 U.S. Highway 87, a ranch near Boerne, Texas. With five dwellings-a main house, a lodge, a guesthouse, a cabin, and a lake house-located on more than 255 acres, this ranch can become whatever you want it to be.

“533 U.S. Highway 87 is everything you could imagine,” says Debra James of KW Luxury International. “The diversity of use is incredible. It could so easily work as a family compound, a corporate or religious retreat, an exclusive high-end hunting lease, a sports camp, or an equestrian property.” 

For anyone who enjoys a vacation getaway, there’s enough space to create a landing strip for airplanes, and four of five dwellings are already full furnished. For the athlete, it’s an absolute dreamland. On the property you’ll find an indoor sports complex, indoor clay and hard surface tennis courts, an indoor basketball court, three outdoor grass tennis courts, indoor and outdoor volleyball courts, two indoor fitness centers, a batting and pitching cage, a putting green, an archery range, and a diving pool. For avid outdoors enthusiasts, 213 acres are high-fenced for exotic game, while a seven-acre lake, fed by active springs, is stocked with bass, catfish, and hybrid perch.

Multiple water wells, with elaborate water conservation and catchment systems, are notable features of the property. “Having this much land with this much live water is a big deal,” Debra says, noting that water development is crucial for a property of this scale.

And if you find yourself wanting a different atmosphere after enjoying the ranch, San Antonio is only 45 minutes away. There you can explore the Riverwalk – the number one tourist attraction in Texas with the finest hotels, renowned restaurants, art galleries and theatre venues, featuring beautiful Moorish and German architecture dating back to the late 18^th century.