HOUSTON – It has been one week since the infamous “Darth Vader House” in Houston’s West University area — with its jet-black, spaceship-like design has officially closed and sold for $3.35 million, and it’s about to get a dramatic transformation.
PREVIOUS: ‘I am your casa’: The ‘Darth Vader’ house is back on the market!
Recommended Videos
According to Nan and Company Properties, the home is located in the 3200 block of University Blvd. and has been called a true architectural gem. Spanning 7,000 square feet, its dark stone angles and sloped aluminum roof have made it a local landmark for years.
You’ve probably driven past it. Maybe even slowed down and snapped a photo. It’s also been on and off the market a few times.
RELATED: ‘Most iconic home in Houston’: Famed Darth Vader digs up for grabs once again
The 7,000-square-foot mansion that resembles the mask worn by the Dark Vader from “Star Wars” has caught national attention thanks to its bold, futuristic look that earned it the Darth Vader nickname. But before the house becomes the Black Bull House (more on that in a second), let’s rewind and talk about the guy who helped bring the house back into the spotlight: Jason Junkin.
Junkin is no stranger to unique projects. With over 200 homes built, a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, and a degree in Information Systems, he’s basically the kind of guy who buys a home that looks like Darth Vader’s without even seeing the inside first.
“I’m not really a Star Wars nerd or anything like that. As a kid, I didn’t even know it was nicknamed the Darth Vader house,” Junkin said. “I just thought to myself, like, wow, who lives there? It’s got to be the coolest person in the world. It was just one of the coolest houses I had seen — looked like a spaceship.”
READ: ‘Star Wars’ fans wave lightsabers as an upcoming film gets announced in Japan
Turns out, the outside might look like it belongs on a Star Destroyer, but the inside is a whole different galaxy.
“The main thing that stood out to me was how bright it was on the interior. Everything was white, all the walls were white, even the floor was white,” Junkin added. “And everything faced the rear of the property, which was floor-to-ceiling glass.”
Junkin told KPRC 2’s Zorrie Jones that the vision was always to make money and flip it, but to preserve the character of the house.
“It has a history, but my thought was (that) all that it needed was a pool. So we designed a pool that flowed with… the Darth Vader theme."
Junkin brought his background in construction and tech into every detail of the redesign. From smart lighting to floating glass staircases, he turned the once-shadowy home into a sleek, entertainment-ready space.
“(I) did update some of the tech inside the house… added low-voltage lights all throughout the house, which you can control from Wi-Fi from anywhere in the house,” Junkin said.
Despite its modern upgrades, Junkin made sure not to erase the home’s iconic exterior vibe. Junkin tells KPRC 2 that the Darth Vader house stance on the corner of that major intersection is so perfectly bold and commanding. He also hopes that the new buyer doesn’t change it.
READ: ‘Andor’ returns to Disney+ and takes ‘Star Wars’ to new and rebellious places
But now, the home is moving into a bold new era with its new owner, international sculptor Enrique Cabrera. Nan and Company Properties said Cabrera plans to rename the home “The House” and install his latest masterpiece—the , Statue, a $2.4 million work, that will be right outside the property once he takes ownership.
“I do believe the new owners’ sculptures found the perfect home and align seamlessly with the sharp edges of the home because that’s how his sculptures are, especially the bull,” Junkin said.
He also said It will always be the Darth Vader house to us Houstonians no matter the name change.
As for what’s next for Jason?
He plans to design and build modern homes that are cool.
“What could top the Darth Vader house?” he joked. ‘I’ve been contemplating my next obnoxious purchase, but I don’t think it’s going to be a house. I’m thinking about a Lamborghini boat.‘"
Want to walk through the home yourself?
Stay tuned for more details on the May 4th event. Until then, one thing’s clear: the force and some serious design chops were definitely with this project.
