A Fort Worth mansion originally built for Texas Rangers co-owner Bob Simpson is set to be auctioned, offering luxury home buyers a chance to acquire a distinctive property in the city. The castle-inspired estate, located in the Montserrat gated community in southwest Fort Worth, will be sold by Concierge Auctions starting December 3. Bidding is expected to begin between $4 million and $6.5 million, according to the Dallas Business Journal.
The property at 9553 Bella Terra Drive covers 19,359 square feet on just over two acres of hilltop land. It was commissioned for Simpson, who is known for his work as an energy executive and remains chairman after stepping down as CEO of TXO Energy Partners earlier this year. Concierge Auctions notes that Simpson sold the house in 2021; Tarrant Appraisal District records now list John Lupo and Andreana Michael as the owners.
Built by J. Lambert Custom Homes based in Southlake, the estate sits on two parcels with a combined appraisal value of $3.5 million. The property was previously listed for $11.75 million but did not sell.
The move to auction reflects broader trends in Texas’ luxury real estate market, where sellers are increasingly turning to auctions due to high asking prices and softer demand. This approach aims to attract more potential buyers and adjust price expectations as high-end listings often remain unsold when traditional sales methods are used.
Nearly every room in the mansion features a fireplace, with amenities including seven bedrooms, thirteen full bathrooms, five half-baths, multiple gourmet kitchens, several living spaces, a private theater, custom gymnasium, climate-controlled wine room, indoor pool complex connected directly to the primary suite—which also features a spa-style bath and office—a sports court, and a private pond linked to a community water feature.
Luxury home auctions have become more common across Texas for large custom properties that do not easily fit into standard comparable sales categories.
“Luxury auctions have become a familiar pressure valve in Texas’ upper-tier market, especially for oversized, highly customized homes that don’t slot neatly into comparable sales,” said Eric Weilbacher.
Recent reports show similar properties heading to auction as part of ongoing challenges in Texas’ luxury housing market segment. Some areas have seen less impact from these issues than others (https://therealdeal.com/texas/2023/11/13/texas-housing-market-woes-spread-to-luxury-but-some-segments-unfazed/).
