San Miguel de Allende has long attracted luxury buyers, art collectors, architects, and retirees searching for historic homes in Mexico. The UNESCO World Heritage city is known for its Spanish Colonial streets, vibrant culture, and growing luxury real estate market.
The historic village hosted only one Starchitect listing, Casa Legorreta, designed by celebrated Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta. Like a Frank Lloyd Wright home, the estate carried the distinction of being designed by a world-renowned architect. Local Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Broker Greg Gunter held the $4.5MM USD listing, which recently sold at a figure close to the asking price.
The transaction now ranks among the top five residential sales in the city’s history. It also draws international attention once again to San Miguel de Allende luxury real estate and to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Broker Greg Gunter.
The Only Ricardo Legorreta Estate in a UNESCO World Heritage City
Ricardo Legorreta remains one of Mexico’s most recognized architects. His work is known for bold geometry, dramatic light, vivid colors, and strong Mexican design influences.
Gunter notes the only other Legorreta estate on the market was Hollywood producer Joel Silver’s home in Brentwood, California, last listed for $52MM USD. “However,” Gunter adds, “our Legorreta was the architect’s only estate internationally to be located in a UNESCO World Heritage zone, a distinct pedigree unmatched anywhere globally.”
Greg Gunter’s Role in San Miguel de Allende Luxury Real Estate
Greg Gunter has become one of the most recognized names in luxury real estate in San Miguel de Allende. He is the owner and broker of the first Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices office in Mexico, located in the city’s historic center.
Gunter previously ranked as the #2 Realtor nationwide in Mexico within a 1,200-agent franchise network by sales volume. He has sold more than 350 homes in San Miguel de Allende and consistently ranks among the top-producing Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices agents worldwide.
His credentials include an MBA in Real Estate and Finance from the University of Colorado Denver, a Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation, Guild Membership in the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, and a former membership on the Forbes Real Estate Council, among others.
His architectural background gave him a strong connection to the Legorreta listing.
“I felt more like a docent than a Realtor,” Gunter explained. “I enjoyed showing the home to several architectural aficionados. Clients say they love my architectural background when viewing homes, and this Legorreta estate allowed me to wax poetic about Legorreta’s distinctive design thumbprint.”
Why San Miguel de Allende Continues to Attract Luxury Buyers
San Miguel de Allende remains one of the most desirable destinations for international buyers in Mexico. The city has repeatedly earned recognition from Condé Nast Traveler as one of the world’s best small cities.
Luxury buyers are drawn to historic Spanish Colonial architecture, a strong arts and cultural scene, a mild year-round climate, a large American and Canadian expat community, a walkable historic center, and lower luxury home prices compared to major U.S. markets.
According to Gunter, San Miguel offers substantial value compared to the United States’ coastal luxury markets.
“Our record sale was $6.7MM USD, but that home would easily have been $30MM USD on the California coast,” he noted.
Marketing a Historic Luxury Property to a Global Audience
Luxury real estate marketing has become increasingly international. For Casa Legorreta, global exposure played a major role in attracting attention to the property.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices promoted the estate through international luxury platforms, architectural media coverage, and digital marketing campaigns targeting affluent buyers.
The sellers, James and Clare Kirkman, praised the campaign’s reach and presentation.
“Greg’s marketing outreach proved impressive,” they said. “We felt Ricardo’s masterpiece, one of his last before he died, was beautifully showcased in the Wall Street Journal and Elle Décor, among the many publications in which it was featured. We’re thrilled the new owners appreciate its heritage.”
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices’ Expanding Presence
The sale also highlights the growing influence of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices in Mexico’s luxury property market.
“Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has proven itself a leader in the luxury arena,” said Vince Leisey, President of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. “Network agents have sold many celebrity estates throughout the world, and Greg’s sale of this amazing Starchitect listing further reinforces the brand’s dominance in the international luxury real estate market.”
The brokerage focuses heavily on international clients searching for luxury colonial homes, historic estates, vacation properties, retirement homes in Mexico, and investment real estate in San Miguel de Allende.
A Landmark Sale for San Miguel de Allende
The sale of Casa Legorreta reflects the continued rise of San Miguel de Allende as an international luxury destination. Architect-designed homes remain rare in the city’s protected historic zone. That rarity made the Legorreta estate especially important within the local market. For Greg Gunter, the transaction reinforced his position as one of the leading luxury brokers in San Miguel de Allende.