San Antonio’s Most Famous Architect Designed Just One Jewel in Fort Worth

A more accurate description would be “old San Antone meets old Fort Worth” because this venerable 1927 house, built by illustrious San Antonio architect Atlee B. Ayres has been home at one time or another to members some of Fort Worth‘s better-known families including Moncriefs, Armours, and Penns.

Ayres, a Colombia University-trained architect, moved to San Antonio in 1888 and amassed an impressive curriculum vitae. From 1914 to 1917 Ayres was appointed State Architect of Texas.

He designed many houses, mostly in revivalist styles, in San Antonio’s Alamo Heights and Olmos Park. Noteworthy commissions include many of the buildings at the core of The University of Texas campus and the imposing Spanish Revival mansion, Atkinson house, now The Marion Koogler McNay Art Museum. In 1931, Ayres became the first architect from San Antonio to be honored as a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects.

The original owner of the Rivercrest residence, Mary Louise Phillips commissioned her uncle, who was in fact Atlee B. Ayres, to build her Spanish Colonial style home that is, to my knowledge, the only Atlee B. Ayres-designed building in Fort Worth.

The home is striking right from the start with a front vestibule framed by handsome churrigueresque pilasters.

Many original features of the 6,172-square-foot, three-bedroom, four-bath house — including the oak hardwood floors — have been preserved. The 19th-century wood chimney originally framed a fireplace on Pennsylvania Avenue on Fort Worth’s “Quality Hill”.

A unique architectural cased opening leads to the library, formerly a sleeping porch that was enclosed in the 1940s when the Armour family owned the house. Another contribution from the Armours that is still in the residence is the stairway iron burglar bars which protected Mrs. Armour’s valuable jewelry collection.

The barrel-vaulted dining room, known as the Mirror Room was redecorated by Olive Penn, who used English artisans to gold leaf the walls.

The kitchen has been thoroughly updated with modern cabinetry and quartz countertops and upgraded appliances.

The primary bedroom is part of an extensive suite, which includes a private sitting room with a fireplace.

The swimming pool is gas heated. Additional bonuses include a new A/C system with a 17 SEER rating, new LED yard lighting, and a basement suitable for a storm shelter. There is also a wine room with a Sub-Zero cooler. The property enjoys beautiful views of the River Crest golf course.

 W. Spencer Perry of The Perry Group at Williams Trew Real Estate is offering 805 Hillcrest Avenue for $2.75 million.