Anyone approaching the intersection of University Boulevard and Buffalo Speedway is inevitably confronted by the Darth Vader House. You can’t miss the dark carbonite exterior that dispenses with all the pleasantries of its West University surroundings. For years, it seemed that nobody came or went from the monolithic structure, and it was impossible to glimpse any signs of life behind the tinted windows. The new owner hopes to change that, with plans in place to entice more Houstonians to come visit the grounds.

Like its nickname suggests, the Darth Vader House is an outsider in West University. The imposing residence sits on an 18,000-square-foot lot that was part of the original development of the city that began in 1917. For decades, neighborhood architectural styles were primarily characterized by Craftsman bungalows nestled between larger Tudor and Colonial Revival brick homes. Development rules were relaxed in the 1980s, and a revised zoning ordinance led to the replatting of many smaller lots—paving the way for the steady march of McMansions and Giant White Houses throughout the following decades.

Plastic surgeon Dr. Jean Cukier purchased the corner lot in 1988, according to the ownership history found in the Harris Central Appraisal District’s property record. Inspired by a stealth fighter jet rather than a Sith Lord’s iconic helmet, Cukier sketched the design for the 6,470-square-foot house himself. Architects Lynn Swisher Spears and Randy Hickey brought his vision to life, although not without some pushback. Construction began in 1991 before running afoul of approved plans when commercial steel escape hatches installed in the second floor bedrooms failed to meet building codes. A variance was eventually granted, and construction was completed in late 1992.

Nothing much of note happened on the property for nearly 30 years, except for the occasional passerbys snapping photos. That all changed in 2021, when Cukier put his house on the market for the first time. He had previously refused all requests for interviews or tours over the years with a steadfast guardedness. No matter, though, because the house soon went viral as national news and social media outlets began to pick up on the Zillow listing, revealing the surprising interior.

For many Houstonians, being able to finally see underneath the armor of the Darth Vader House felt like solving one of the city’s great mysteries. If the exterior can be thought to represent the Dark Side, then the open, predominantly white interior is a startling contrast. The postmodern force is strong with elements like irregular tile work and craggy edged countertops. A huge stone face sculpture peers into the sunken living room against a backdrop of floor-to-ceiling plate glass windows overlooking the backyard. It may not be the villain’s lair you’re looking for, but the twin floating staircases would still make for an epic lightsaber duel.

First listed at an asking price of $4.3 million, the house soon attracted international attention. Rumor even had it that newly minted Houstonian 50 Cent was interested. It changed brokers a few times and finally sold through Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty at just over $3 million to local realtor and property developer Jason Junkin. He owned the home for the next few years and added upgrades like a pool and better lighting, and occasionally leased it out. Brent Franklin, a one-time tenant and representative of a limited liability company involved with the property, courted some controversy and ended up getting sued by the city of West University for allegedly hosting ticketed events at the house for “high net worth” entrepreneurs.

Junkin put the now-infamous house, which he called “an emotional buy” in a Houston Chronicle interview, on the market again in July 2024, this time for $3.75 million. Local reality TV star and realtor Washington Ho briefly represented the property and hosted a Star Wars–themed Halloween party with his co-listing agent.

Ultimately, Nan and Company Properties prevailed in securing the highly sought-after sale. The house caught the eye of Mexican sculptor Enrique Cabrera, who purchased it for $3.35 million in mid-April of this year, sparking a fresh burst of interest in the house’s future.

“My intention is to preserve the character of the home as much as possible,” Cabrera told Houstonia in an email. Cabrera is known for his supersize public art sculptures, such as the appropriately large and stylized apple La Gran Manzana in New York City. His Black Bull sculpture will soon create a new photo op in Houston, too. Cabrera revealed that the patinated bronze sculpture is “planned for the left side of the front yard, where it can complement the landscaping without obstructing the view of the house and integrate beautifully with the natural surroundings.”

He’s also looking to open a gallery focused on contemporary art and is “particularly looking forward to becoming part of the local community, collaborating with fellow creatives, and experiencing everything the city has to offer.”

The next episode in the saga of the Darth Vader House could prove to be its most epic one yet.