Bridging Past and Present
A classic, elegant San Francisco estate offers the best of everything, including views.
by Camilla McLaughlin
"The best of both worlds" aptly characterizes this San Francisco classic located on nearby Belvedere Island. Designated a historic landmark and thus exempt from property taxes, the home was the first built on the island in 1886 as part of a 30-acre estate. Its history is filled with legendary San Franciscans such as Gordon
Location: Belvedere, California
Price: $68 million
Square Footage: 11,000 square feet
Acreage: 1.1 acres
Special Features: Incredible views, completely renovated, three guest suites, professional laundry room, fabulous finishes.
Additional Comments: Turn-of-the-century estate restored to its original beauty.
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Blanding, who lived in the main house, Locksley Hall, after the 1906 earthquake. When the current owner first saw the property, it was in "a sad state," according to Olivia Decker of Decker Bullock. Bringing a lifelong love for beautiful old homes to the task, he restored the estate, authentically and faithfully reproducing all the elements, blending the best of almost three centuries-a process that took almost 10 years. Hydraulics might open the massive gates to the driveway now, but the imprint of Hearst Castle architect Julia Morgan remains in the bronze work and rusticated stone pillars at the entry and in the garden. Inside the grounds, one is struck by the almost 360-degree views, almost as omnipresent inside as outside, of San Francisco, Golden Gate Bridge, Angel Island, the bay, and even Alcatraz in the distance.
Exquisite is the only word that comes to mind as one enters the foyer with a grand staircase, bronze balustrade and polished mahogany. The main rooms are classic patrician with hand-glazed finishes, mahogany doors and trim. A lower-level great room, which opens to the rose garden, includes state-of-the-art computer, video and audio systems; alabaster lamps; hardwood floors in a herringbone pattern and a coffered 15-foot ceiling. One of the home's three kitchens can be found here as well.
All three guest suites have private sitting rooms. All the baths are marble with custom-designed fixtures, including one in a separate caretaker's studio. The top-level master suite with two teak decks also has an office and a service kitchen, as well as a bath with woven marble tiles, double showers and spa tub.
Porches and decks beckon to the views beyond. A veranda with towering Corinthian columns, molding, bronze sconces and teak decking wraps around the east, south and west sides of the main floor. Paths of antique Chinese paving stones weave through gardens of exotic specimen plants, flowers and mature trees from around the world. A Burmese teak pergola leads to the pool with an Indonesian Batu-Hijau stone lining and granite flamed coping. Plus, 21st-century technology infuses the property with sights, sounds, lighting and security. "Classic, elegant and livable" is the way Decker describes this estate which has it all-even better weather since it is on the sunny side of the Bay.
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