See 220-acre estate overlooking the American River near Auburn. Asking price is $20M
A spectacular 220-acre estate on the bluffs of the American River Canyon above Folsom Lake has hit the market this week for $20 million.
With extraordinary views of the north fork of the river, which flows into Folsom Lake, the four-bedroom, four-bathroom main residence spans 5,400 square feet. The property provides private access to the river.
Some 12% of homes in Auburn in the past year have sold for over $1 million, according to data from MetroList. The highest recorded residential sale in the area was $2.65 million, which means the estate is likely to set a sales record, according to Sotheby’s International Realty, which listed the property.
While the home is secluded and feels remote, it is only five minutes from downtown Auburn, 30 miles north of Sacramento.
The estate is well-designed for hosting and entertaining family and guests. There’s a 5,124-square-foot carriage house and car stable with four bedrooms and three baths. In addition, a 2,200-square-foot caretaker’s home contains three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Located at 2323 and 2350 Manhattan Bar Road, the compound includes a garage that can house at least 15 vehicles and a 4,800-square-foot workshop and tool house.
“Significant planning, time and resources have been invested in the extensive infrastructure on this one-of-a-kind property, opening the door to a wide range of uses,” according to the property listing. “This property is brimming with potential, from a tranquil place to raise a family, a personal playground and vacation spot, a retreat center, a winery, or even a development opportunity with subdivision potential. This property is as big as your dreams.”
The seller is the owner of a major construction company, who wishes to remain private, according to a representative of Sierra Sotheby’s International Realty. The listing agents are Breck Overall and Jeff Hamilton of Sierra Sotheby’s International Realty.
“In addition to the incredible view and private lake access, this property has endless possibilities for a wide variety of buyers,” Overall said. “It’s a beautiful estate to raise a family, as it is close to schools and the town of Auburn. It could also be a great retreat or vacation property for those looking to get away from the city. It could be turned into a winery, as it is set up with its own water source and three-phase power. Or someone could come in and subdivide it. Where else can someone buy 220 acres on the lake with so much possibility?”
The main residence was designed by architect Brent Smith, who is perhaps best known for building a passive-solar home called The Wisteria House on the Sacramento River. Smith built the Auburn home in 2000.
The custom home features a large courtyard entry with hand-forged iron and reclaimed herringbone brick. The residence features salvaged clear all-heart redwood beams, a cedar-barrel ceiling, floor-to-ceiling windows and abundant natural light.
Brazilian cherry hardwood flooring and wood cabinetry set the tone of an updated kitchen, which has a quartzite island, a Thermador Pro Grand commercial oven with a custom hood, a commercial sink, extra-large Miele side-by-side refrigerator and a walk-through butler’s pantry with its own fridge and freezer.
A granite “gentlemen’s bar,” according to the listing, sits 10 people in a room with a pool table and a fireplace.
The second floor is occupied by a luxurious, private owner’s suite brightened by floor-to-ceiling windows with fantastic views of the canyon and the water. The suite has a fireplace and observation room with wrap-around French doors that open onto balconies overlooking the river. There’s an expansive cedar-lined dressing room with custom closet, a spacious spa-like bathroom with calacatta marble, a two-person tub and steam shower, dual sinks, custom mirrors and a separate linen closet.
Upstairs, a west-facing patio has a full kitchen with granite finishes, a prep sink, grill, misters, power shades, speakers and a custom iron pergola with lights and a fan for parties.
Outside, there is a large, enclosed garden, landscaped grounds and miles of hiking trails. Award-winning Yamasaki Landscape Architecture designed the yard. The parcel is fully fenced for livestock.
In 2018, the home was remodeled and upgraded. There is new plumbing and electrical wiring, a custom surveillance security system, two 1,000-gallon underground propane tanks, a commercial hot water boiler, radiant heat, copper rain gutters and downspouts, fiber optics and a generator.
The property consists of nine separate contiguous parcels, totaling 220 acres, according to Overall.
“Our understanding ... is that some of those parcels can be subdivided into lots as small as five acres, while others can be 20 acres,” he said.
