Iconic 'Darth Vader House' Is on the Market — Again

TK Images
Iconic 'Darth Vader House' Is on the Market — Again

LESS THAN A year after it last sold, listed at the time for $3.1 million, West U's iconic "Darth Vader House" is on the market again.


The 7,000-square-foot mansion at 3201 University Blvd., designed by architect Lynn Swisher Spears, has been resisted by Nicole Handy with Braden Real Estate Group for $3.7 mil. Familiar not only to Houstonians, but to Star Wars fans around the globe, the home is nicknamed such for its resemblance to the villain's helmet. It hit the market in May 2021 for $4.3 million, causing quite a stir on the interwebs, seeing as the previous owner famously turned down interviews and photo ops.

The photos accompanying the 2022 listing, which went live today, appear unchanged. Real estate aficionados and movie buffs alike will enjoy flipping through the image gallery, which reveals a counterintuitively light, open interior. A sunken portion of the living room makes a unique seating area, surrounded by curiously patterned concrete and stone flooring; other oddly shaped areas are found throughout the home, which has a distinctly '80s, yet surprisingly fresh, vibe.

"This house is an oasis," said Handy in a release. "I think it's garnered so much attention for a reason — it's standalone, and is unlike anything else in our city."

Home + Real Estate

How did you get to where you are today? The present moment is a combined history of my family, my time as an athlete, my passion for learning, and my desire to see the world be better. I grew up as a successful springboard and platform diver, however, an injury caused me to seek alternative treatments to heal my body. In that process, I discovered the power of yoga, exercise, meditation, mindset, and nutrition. This holistic approach eventually led me to open a Pilates and cycling studio called DEFINE body & mind. I opened studios around the nation, and after selling most of my business between 2017-2019, I was ready to explore how I could make an even greater impact on the wellbeing of our community. In 2023, I started actively working on a brand new multi-family/apartment concept called, Define Living. The idea focused on offering health and wellness services within a beautiful apartment setting to increase the wellbeing of our residents. Having a strong sense of community is the number one factor in living a happy life, so why not build a community where daily fitness, cooking classes, and social connection are the norm? We opened Define Living in March of 2024, and we couldn’t be happier with how things are being received. We are already looking at building more concepts like this in the Houston area and beyond.

Keep Reading Show less

How did you get to where you are today? A few key principles integrated into my life: setting clear goals, maintaining a growth mindset, building strong habits, and surrounding myself with the right people. Goals provided direction, while a growth mindset helped me turn challenges into opportunities for learning. Consistent habits, like disciplined work and effective communication, kept me moving forward. Being surrounded by motivated, supportive individuals has elevated my standards and kept me accountable. They’ve provided advice, encouragement, and sometimes that extra push I needed to stay on track. With these elements, I’ve been able to create a framework that helps me succeed and ensures I continue to grow and evolve.

Keep Reading Show less
People + Places