Priceless

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How much would you pay for 2901 Broadway? Speculation has been rampant since no listing price has been divulged to the public.  The Marin Independent Journal suggests it could go for around $75 million!

If it sells at that price, it would be the most expensive home ever sold in the United States (that is, until either Donald Trump or Saudi Prince Bandar bin Sultan sell their mega-mansions, priced at $125 and $135 million, respectively.) The current world record for most expensive residence was set in 2004, with the sale of a $128 million property in London.

The 1927 home has been owned by the same family for 60 years, and was purchased in 1946 for $93,000!

Though the property has not yet been placed on the MLS, you can see all the gorgeous details at 2901broadwaystreet.com. Dona Crowder has the listing with Peggy Economos and Constance Heldman. Be prepared to spend quite a bit of time at the site — it has all the bells and whistles that a property of this importance deserves.

This is their description of the historical mansion:

Perched high above the city on San Francisco’s prestigious Gold Coast, this Renaissance Mansion, designed from a Palazzo in Fiesole, Italy, is an example of determined neoclassicism. From its prominence on the hill, breathtaking views from almost every room include such landmarks as the Golden Gate, San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz, Angel Island and the Marin Headlands as well as views toward Fisherman’s Wharf, Russian Hill and the East Bay.Â

This magnificent estate is imbued with the city’s colorful history and located in Pacific Heights, near the Presidio. Offered for the first time, the impressive four-story residence was designed circa 1927 by award winning California architect Henry Clay Smith for industrialist Milton S. Ray.Â

A dramatic curved drive graces the east portico of this palace. On the main level, from the northern vestibule, an immense leaded-glass window overlooks the grand reception hall that opens to elegant formal rooms on the main level. In addition to the impressive living and formal dining rooms, other areas include a music room, powder room, breakfast room, butler’s pantry, spacious kitchen, two staff rooms plus full bath, rear pantry, rear stairs and separate entrances. Period features such as hardwood floors, ornate plaster moldings and trim, two stately fireplaces, high ceilings, chandeliers and sconces grace the interior.

A graceful winding marble stairway leads upstairs to an expansive family living level and gallery. The east wing consists of a large north facing master suite with separate dressing room. This suite adjoins another equally large bedroom suite. Opposite, facing south, the girl’s bedroom suite enjoys views of the South Bay, Twin Peaks and overlooks the tennis court and garden below. On the west wing, facing south is a smaller bedroom or sewing room and a guest suite. Across the hall and looking towards the Golden Gate Bridge is the Curio room that at one time housed Ray’s extensive oological collection, and serves as an upstairs sitting room with shared bath. Interior doorways allow the master plus adjoining bedroom, together with the Curio room, to open into one massive suite of rooms, baths, closets and dressing areas facing the spectacular north Bay views.

These living levels provide for seven bedrooms, five baths plus a powder room. Access to the roof, with its 360 degree views, is from the rear stairs and through an attic that spans the entire footprint of the house and has ample ceiling height for further development.

Below the main level, accessible by rear stairs or elevator are the utility rooms, including a massive laundry and work space with bridge views, shower and bath, lower hall, children’s library and office with full bath and finally the “jewel box” that once housed Mrs. Emma Mitchell’s expansive book collection. The main library has hardwood floors, richly paneled walls with built-in shelves and casement windows.Â

A mezzanine joins the library level to the garage with shop. It consists of a kitchenette and spacious room previously used as a home theatre. Its interior balcony looks down to the garage with soaring ceilings and to the porte cochere and east entrance drive. The original Spenser elevator stops at all five levels. Multiple terraces give captivating views from this magnificent edifice.

The exterior wall surfaces, including ornate frieze, entablature and water table was recently restored by RFJ Mieswinkel and Lewis Restoration, whose previous work included City Hall and the Opera House.

An adjoining private tennis court on the south elevation provides outdoor fitness and recreation. Possibly the only private court in Pacific Heights, it has adjoining access to a dressing room, bath and shower through a courtside entrance to the house. With the additional abundance of space, further development may be possible. This area and the adjacent gardens and walk have great potential for other uses.

The four-story home has seven bedrooms, 6.5 baths, a living room, music room, dining room, breakfast room, butler’s pantry, library, office, theatre, kitchenete, laundry room, staff quarters, storage rooms, two fireplaces, an elevator, and an adjoining tennis court.

Pricing information and other details are available by request (see 2901broadwaystreet.com for contact information.)

• Official site: http://www.2901broadwaystreet.com/
• Article: “There’s No Place Like These Homes” (Marin IJ)
• History: “Mysterious Mansion” (Nob Hill Gazette)

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