Historical Home On-The-Market
January 29, 2012
Storied “House-On-Hill” In Hillsborough Listed for $29 Million
I once had an open house (Verbalee Lane) on the street from this estate and “no” mine was a mere $2 Million. It is on a short street with very different houses along the way. When you got to the end of the street you could see this big estate with the front gates. A lot of history in this home. I just wanted to share this with you. I think those of you that love Historical Homes will find this fascinating.
At a list price of $29 million, it might be a stretch to call this fabled San Francisco-area property a bargain.
But considering the history and quality of this 30-room, 35,000-sq-ft Hillsborough real estate market gem — called one of the most spectacular private residences ever created — “House-On-Hill” should turn a few heads, especially since the price has dropped dramatically since the estate was first offered for sale at $45 million in 2002.
“The owners are very realistic now and there is no other property on the market like this one,” said listing agent Daniel J. DerVartanian.
“You could not recreate this property now, not for the quality of the $20 million renovation that the current owners undertook or for the fact that they wouldn’t let you build this size home on six acres,” he said.
While the house has been marketed by the owners for the past two years, listing it with a real estate brokerage has appeared to been a boon. In the week since House-On-Hill has been listed, DerVartanian said the property has been shown to several interested and qualified buyers — not a tough demographic in a region where Silicon Valley millionaires may be looking to make their own impressive mark on the real estate map.
House-On-Hill as it looked in 1930. SOURCE: Chicago Treasures
Designed by architect David Adler as a Cotswold-style Tudor, the mansion is nestled in the hills overlooking San Francisco and was completed in 1931 for Hibernia bank heiress Celia Tobin Clark.
In 1992, the property was purchased from the Tobin-Clark family by Sam J. Bamieh, a prominent businessman at American Intertrade Group and major Republican Party donor. While the property had already boasted an illustrious history of world-famous visitors, that tradition continued under Bamieh, whose connections to the Saudi royal family and others is its own intriguing story.
A special VIP suite of rooms has been the guest residence of a prestigious list of U.S. Presidents and other world leaders including, Presidents Nixon, Reagan, Ford, and Bush, as well as Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and His Majesty King Hussein. The list of other notable guests who visited Bamieh for parties or fundraisers is much longer.
DerVartanian said Bamieh and his wife meticulously renovated the entire property with an attention to detail and an eye for the preserving the original design features. All the systems have been updated, from the opulent music room to the lovely Otis lift to the hand-mill work, and no detail was overlooked.
The list of features includes:
- Carved front entry opening to an elegant black and white marble reception foyer
- Carved balustrade staircase leading to opulent public rooms including a banquet-sized formal dining room with carved marble fireplace
- Over-sized French doors leading to the loggia and grand terrace
- Cozy library with 17th-century English paneling featured in Helen Comstock’s “One Hundred Most Beautiful Rooms in America.”
- Grand music room
- The mansion includes 12 bedrooms, including 4 master suites
- 12 full baths and 3 half baths
- Four kitchens
- 12 fireplaces
- In-ground pool
- A six-car garage
It’s tough to argue with a sales pitch that calls House-On-Hill a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but given the location, the restoration and the history of the place, that pitch sounds right on key.
Living On Your Own Island
January 8, 2012
I couldn’t resist posting this property for sale in Alaska, 2202 Sawmill Creek Rd, Sitka AK. Price at $1,495,00.
The city of Sitka sits on Alaska’s Baronof Island and is flanked on the east side by mountains and on the west side by the Pacific Ocean. It is surrounded by hundreds of small islands, some of which hold private homes. However, there’s only one Sitka home for sale that boasts both waterfront and island property.
The special parcel is populated by some very handsome structures, including a main house set back from the Sitka road system and completely hidden by trees. There’s also a boat house where a 180-foot steel walkway leads to guest quarters that are situated on quaint, separate Bart Island.
Listing agent Jason Shaffer testifies to the home’s uniqueness.
“This is the only property like this in Sitka. There are other islands near Sitka with city power with houses but they are only accessible by float plane or boat,” Shaffer said. “The beauty of this home is that it’s accessible from the main road system, but you feel like you’re on an island.”
Built in 1950, the main home has been completely renovated by the current owners with significant updates to the kitchen, including installation of high-end appliances and granite countertops.
Sitting on about 6.5 acres, the main home has five bedrooms, three bathrooms and a little over 3,000 square feet of living space. The home also has custom, locally-made furnishings, pine floors, large wooden decks and an extensively landscaped yard.
Across the steel walkway, the half-acre Bart Island has a house and separate guest quarters. The 1,250-square-foot guest house was custom-built in 2000 and features a hot tub, vaulted ceilings, radiant heat in the tiled baths as well as complete city power, water, phone and cable.
The separate, 700-square-foot guest quarters was constructed in 2003 and has an additional two bedrooms, two bathrooms and wood decking and complete access to all utilities.
I am sure you would only want to live here in the summer.
Statistics for Single Family Residences & Condos San Mateo County
December 27, 2011
Click on Single Family Nov. Report for your November update on the listings, sales, current inventory, etc… in San Mateo County. This is the most current report until January. For Condos and Townhomes click on Condo Report Nov. 2011. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday.
Image via Wikipedia
Redwood City Street of Lights
December 17, 2011
If you want an enjoyable drive through Redwood City, please see Topaz Street. I also found Dewey Street to be great. Maybe, it is just because the street uses all the homes nationalities for their decorations. Very fun!
Come and see 411 Topax, that really surprises us with their tremendous display. We all appreciate all the Christmas Spirit!
San Carlos Street of Lights
December 17, 2011
Everyone knows the great street in San Carlos on Eucalyptus. It is closed to one-way traffic at the moment. If you would like to see this street now is the time, when it gets closer to Christmas, it is almost impossible to get down the street.
These are the homes on Eucalyptus that have a great display. However, San Carlos does have other homes that are on Arroyo, Cordilleras and other streets as well.
Please come by and see the San Carlos light show…
| 1900 Eucalyptus Ave |
| 1932 Eucalyptus Ave |
| 1953 Eucalyptus Ave |
| 1957 Eucalyptus Ave |
| 1962 Eucalyptus Ave |
| 1963 Eucalyptus Ave |
Wild Turkeys – National Geographic
November 23, 2011
Image via Wikipedia
.Enjoy this wild turkey dance just in time for Thanksgiving. Wonder who won! Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/player/animals/birds-animals/ground-birds/turkey_wild.html
San Carlos Night of Holiday Nights
November 22, 2011
Join us on December 2nd, for our Annual Holiday Lights evening. This event is free to everyone. This event is on Laurel Street with the main music at the intersection of Cherry and Laurel. Event is from 5-8. Lighting festivities begin at 6:30. Last year’s train ride was a big hit with a line up for the children to ride the train that went through Laurel Street.
This event includes:
- Festive Lights with a Snowfall Forecast
- Holiday Performance by Big City Revue!
- Music & Carolers
- Children’s Crafts & Activities
Our restaurants and services will be open to all. Free Community Event!
Best Haunted House
October 30, 2011
Check out this line from Youtube for this Halloween House. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUAV_1jBJB4
This is an amazing, dazzling light show that will boggle your mind. Similar to what you would see at Christmas, this guy in Riverside, CA used thousands of lights to create four singing pumpkin faces, light-up tombstones, light-up hand-carved pumpkins and strobe lights in the project. All of these were programmed to complement each song. Kevin J., the 39-year-old mastermind behind this extravaganza said it took 15 hours of work for each minute of music. This is his fourth year of doing Halloween shows; this one being his project for last year.
My neighbors Keith and MaryJo Hoffman used to do this as well. However, our neighborhood will miss the light show since they moved down to So. Cal….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUAV_1jBJB4
History of Chamber Haunted House
October 26, 2011
In San Francisco this prime piece of San Francisco real estate was built by silver mine tycoon Richard Chambers. The story goes that Richard moved into the home with his two nieces, bringing with him a host of demons and ghosts with him. When Chambers died in 1901, the nieces inherited the home; one moved next door and one, Claudia, stayed in the home.
Claudia was discovered nearly cut in half one day. The family passed it off as a “farm implementation accident” but ghost expert Jim Fassbinder, who conducts haunted house tours in San Francisco, claims an insane family member who was kept in the attic of the Chambers home was the culprit. Recently a bed-and-breakfast, the home sold in 2009 for $3,400,800.
San Mateo County Halloween Events
October 17, 2011
Image by Getty Images via @daylife
| Compliments of ABC News Events |
Now that we have really enjoyable weather, it will be great fun for our ghosts and goblins this year.
Farmer John’s Pumpkin Farm 
http://www.farmerjohnspumpkins.com/
Fun, family atmosphere in a relaxing country setting off of Highway 1. Monday – Friday 9:30am – 5:30pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am – 6pm. 850 North Cabrillo Highway, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019. (650) 726-4980.
Half Moon Bay Main Street
http://www.miramarevents.com/pumpkinfest/
41st Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival 2011- Music stages, food, drinks, crafts, costume contests and more. October 15th – 16th, 2011. 10am – 5pm. 850 North Cabrillo Highway, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019.
Lemo’s Farm
http://www.lemosfarm.com/pumpkins.html
Halloween on the Farm- Pumpkin patches, ghost train ride, hay ride, and haunted house, and petting zoo. Open daily in October. 12320 San Mateo Rd., Half Moon Bay, CA 94019. (650) 726-2342.
Menlo Park
http://www.menlopark.org/departments/com/spevents.html
Halloween Parade and Carnival- Parade from Burgess Park to Fremont Park. Participants will receive a trick or treat bag. After the parade, trick or treat your way back to Burgess Park through Downtown Menlo Park at participating stores. The Arrillaga Family Recreation Center will then open for a carnival for children ages 12 and under. Activities are co-sponsored by the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce. Saturday, October 29th, 2011. Menlo Park, CA 94025.
Redwood City: Pick of the Patch Pumpkins
http://www.abctreefarms.net/pumpkin#main
Pick of the Patch Pumpkins- Offer several varieties of pumpkins, interactive Pumpkin Patch Tours, bounce houses, slides, retail items (such as carving kits, painting kits, snacks) and a Halloween photograph area. Sunday – Thursday 9:30am to 9:00pm Friday & Saturday 9:30am to 9:30pm. 1301 Broadway, Redwood City, CA 94063..
San Bruno: Pick of the Patch Pumpkins
http://www.abctreefarms.net/pumpkin#main
Pick of the Patch Pumpkins- Offer several varieties of pumpkins, interactive Pumpkin Patch Tours, bounce houses, slides, retail items (such as carving kits, painting kits, snacks) and a Halloween photograph area. Sunday – Thursday 9:30am to 9:00pm Friday & Saturday 9:30am to 9:30pm. Sneath Ln & Huntington Ave., San Bruno, CA 94066.
Serramonte Center
http://www.serramontecenter.com/event/spook-parade-costume-contest/
Spook Parade and Costume Contest – Trick-or-treat with participating stores. Parade, costumes, and prizesp for children ages 12 and under. Monday, October 31, 2011 3pm – 6pm. See other Halloween events at Serramonte in October. 3 Serramonte Center, Daly City, CA 94015. (650) 992-8687.
San Carlos: Pick of the Patch Pumpkins
http://www.abctreefarms.net/pumpkin#main
Pick of the Patch Pumpkins- Offer several varieties of pumpkins, interactive Pumpkin Patch Tours, bounce houses, slides, retail items (such as carving kits, painting kits, snacks) and a Halloween photograph area. Sunday – Thursday 9:30am to 9:00pm Friday & Saturday 9:30am to 9:30pm. W El Camino Real & Arroyo Ave, San Carlos, CA 94070.
-
-
Subscribe
Never miss any valuable information on Belmont, San Carlos or Redwood City.
Enter your email address to receive blog articles in your inbox:
-
