Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

There's something a little spooky about this empty, 46-bedroom mansion

It would set you back €3.12 million.

THIS EERILY ENORMOUS “house” in Manvel, Texas is probably one of the strangest property listing you’ll see.

A physician and his wife started building it in 2001; it was intended to be a post-surgical rehab clinic. Today, the structure sits unfinished and empty.

RE/MAX Top Realty is listing it as a shell for $3.5 million (€3.12 million).

No one’s quite sure how many rooms it has: some say 46, but RE/MAX realtor Mona Miller told the Houston Chronicle that “it’s probably more like 70 bedrooms”, as the inside of the house is incomplete.

“It would be ideal for some type of institutional use,” said Miller, who has had bites from parties who see it as a possible assisted living facility, which would actually make use of all that space.

Here’s an outside-in tour of the so-called “disaster house“.

No driveway, landscaping, or sidewalk adorns the outside of this gigantic piece of real estate.

no-driveway-landscaping-or-sidewalk-adorns-the-outside-of-this-gigantic-piece-of-real-estate RE / MAX Top Realty RE / MAX Top Realty / MAX Top Realty

An unobstructed rear view of the mansion really shows how far 60,000 square feet stretches.

an-unobstructed-rear-view-of-the-mansion-really-shows-how-far-60000-square-feet-stretches RE / MAX Top Realty RE / MAX Top Realty / MAX Top Realty

There’s a nine-car attached garage — for all those medical transport vehicles that the good doctor never bought.

theres-a-nine-car-attached-garage--for-all-those-medical-transport-vehicles-that-the-good-doctor-never-bought RE / MAX Top Realty RE / MAX Top Realty / MAX Top Realty

We assume this attached portico would have been the inpatient entrance.

we-assume-this-attached-portico-would-have-been-the-inpatient-entrance RE / MAX Top Realty RE / MAX Top Realty / MAX Top Realty

The grass is growing a little long around the blighted property

the-grass-is-growing-a-little-long-around-the-blighted-property RE / MAX Top Realty RE / MAX Top Realty / MAX Top Realty

Though it looks like a completed home from the outside, you can tell that it’s far from finished once you walk indoors.

though-it-looks-like-a-completed-home-from-the-outside-you-can-tell-that-its-far-from-finished-once-you-walk-indoors RE / MAX Top Realty RE / MAX Top Realty / MAX Top Realty

This is just the tip of the unfinished iceberg.

this-is-just-the-tip-of-the-unfinished-iceberg RE / MAX Top Realty RE / MAX Top Realty / MAX Top Realty

Construction supplies like shovels, ladders, and lights give the impression that interior updates are still in progress.

construction-supplies-like-shovels-ladders-and-lights-give-the-impression-that-interior-updates-are-still-in-progress RE / MAX Top Realty RE / MAX Top Realty / MAX Top Realty

This pool would be a great asset if the site were turned into an assisted living facility. Water aerobics, anyone?

this-pool-would-be-a-great-asset-if-the-site-were-turned-into-an-assisted-living-facility-water-aerobics-anyone RE / MAX Top Realty RE / MAX Top Realty / MAX Top Realty

The house, facility, or whatever you want to call it has two floors and an elevator.

the-house-facility-or-whatever-you-want-to-call-it-has-two-floors-and-an-elevator RE / MAX Top Realty RE / MAX Top Realty / MAX Top Realty

The $3.5 million fixer upper sits on a 1.5 acre lot. It’s not exactly move-in ready.

the-35-million-fixer-upper-sits-on-a-15-acre-lot-its-not-exactly-move-in-ready RE / MAX Top Realty RE / MAX Top Realty / MAX Top Realty

“Whoever buys the property will probably need to take it down to the building shell and the studs,” Miller told the Houston Chronicle.

whoever-buys-the-property-will-probably-need-to-take-it-down-to-the-building-shell-and-the-studs-miller-told-the-houston-chronicle RE / MAX Top Realty RE / MAX Top Realty / MAX Top Realty

- Dennis Green

Now read: All the week’s property news, a Japanese crèche with a difference, and a peek inside a Victorian mansion in Donnybrook >

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Published with permission from
View 24 comments
Close
24 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Malcolm Lackey
    Favourite Malcolm Lackey
    Report
    Nov 3rd 2015, 11:53 AM

    I wish the Statdust victims got the same justice, the inly person ever to be arrested over that was the father of one of the lost souls for hitting Mr Butterly!!

    110
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Maurice Frazer
    Favourite Maurice Frazer
    Report
    Nov 3rd 2015, 12:43 PM

    Well said still waiting for Justice 35 years on.

    69
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin Hayes
    Favourite Martin Hayes
    Report
    Nov 3rd 2015, 2:15 PM

    Mr Butterly had powerful friends in government, that’s all it takes in Ireland to get away with it.

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sam Glynn
    Favourite Sam Glynn
    Report
    Nov 3rd 2015, 11:41 AM

    This is horrific and unnecessary. My heart goes out to the families and friends of these poor people caught in the fire. Such a tragic and sad event to happen :-(

    56
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute George Gilceava
    Favourite George Gilceava
    Report
    Nov 5th 2015, 11:51 PM

    Thank you Sam, it’s really kind of you!
    George Gilceava from Romania.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute George Gilceava
    Favourite George Gilceava
    Report
    Nov 5th 2015, 11:57 PM

    Thank you Sam, it’s really kind of you!
    George Gilceava from Romania.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute TommyRyder
    Favourite TommyRyder
    Report
    Nov 3rd 2015, 12:59 PM

    “One of the three suspects taken into custody yesterday is a former barman with shares in several clubs.
    Two of the other clubs in which he has a stake were also destroyed by fires in recent years”

    Look, I’m no Sherlock Holmes…but………………………..

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute RMcG
    Favourite RMcG
    Report
    Nov 3rd 2015, 2:02 PM

    It’s a terrible tragedy, one of the victims was a lady who worked as a cleaner in the club, her husband died 8 years ago and now her 5 children (including 11 year old twins) are orphans.

    20
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds