See 98-year-old San Francisco mansion for sale. This is ‘global provenance’ at its finest
A historic San Francisco mansion — owned by a venture capitalist, philanthropist and prodigious art collector — has hit the market on one of the most prestigious blocks in the city.
The asking price for the formal and unmistakable residence built by California architect Albert Farr is $19.5 million.
The Italianate-style home — located at 3699 Washington St. — is the highest priced listing in Presidio Heights, where only three homes are currently on the market, according to the Compass real estate firm. The home features one of San Francisco’s rare residential swimming pools.
“There are few blocks in Presidio Heights with such coveted status and global provenance,” the official property listing states. The prominently displayed estate is “a distinguished, yet welcoming, home of grand scale and dramatic open spaces that offers inviting views (where) striking architectural wonders are seen out every window of this pedigreed home.”
The nearly 10,000-square-foot home hasn’t been on the market for 40 years. The last time time the property sold was in 1984, for $1.6 million, according to public property records.
The sellers
The sellers are Dick Kramlich, co-founder of New Enterprise Associates, and his wife Pamela, according to public records. The couple have created one of the world’s most significant media art collections. They have supported San Francisco museums and are active in music festivals in Napa, where their second home serves as a gallery for their collection.
The mansion, which has five beds and a total of eight bathrooms, is believed to have been created for Leland Rosener, an engineer connected to the building of the Golden Gate Bridge, according to listing agent Neal Ward of Compass.
The house features views of the Golden Gate Bridge, even though it was built before the famous landmark.
“Rumored to be an active participant in the creation of the home, Rosener is credited with designing a pneumatic vacuum system for the home which still exists in the residence, and pneumatic garage doors,” Ward said in a statement from Compass. “It is said to have a perch in one of the windows of the home where he could observe the building of the Golden Gate through his telescope.”
The house has an elevator and a two-car garage.
Home has fantastic features
Farr built the grand residence in 1927. The architect is known for his work on some of the most luxurious and historic homes in San Francisco. He is known as the Bay Area’s first “starchitect,” according to Compass. His other notable projects include four that are listed on the National Registry of Historic Places: Aetna Springs Resort in Napa County, Benbow Inn in Humboldt County, Wolf House on the Jack London Ranch in Sonoma County and Phillipshurst-Riverwood in Santa Cruz County.
Among its features:
▪ Classic architecture blended with modern touches, detailed plaster work, leaded windows and an abundance of natural light;
▪ Large stone fireplace, fountain and resistance exercise pool in a lush and manicured outdoor space;
▪ A spectacular social hall with a stage and catering kitchen for events such as private concerts, movie screenings or family gatherings;
▪ Separate guest apartment with own entrance, gym, children’s study area, and two-car garage.
This story was originally published November 26, 2024 at 10:48 AM.
