Explore Zen-inspired Sacramento masterpiece for sale. It’s an ‘absolute unicorn’
A Zen-inspired retreat, built in the mid-century modern style, carves out its own niche as an unmistakably unique home in the Sacramento suburb of Carmichael.
On the market for the first time for $5.1 million, the residence is meticulously crafted with natural materials across 11,000-square-feet of total living space.
A symphony of birdsong, soothing sounds of waterfalls and streams, paths meandering through lush landscaping and shady meditation spaces compel you to linger outdoors.
The lush, beautiful, secluded 2.4-acre lot offers resort-style recreation, as well.
“The home is a nature lovers’ dream,” listing agent Cheryl Nightingale of House Real Estate said while showing the home to a reporter. Angela Heinzer of House Real Estate is the co-listing agent.
“The entire home is made of clear-cut redwood, stone and glass,” Nightingale said while showing the home to a reporter. “The floors and all the countertops are natural stone, and (the owner) selected different stones for different rooms, and they all work together, but they’re uniquely different.”
‘An outlier’
The property sits—appropriately—at the end of a quiet, gated street named Retreat Way.
“This property is an outlier in terms of having a massive square footage, huge lot, a sense of privacy and the list price,” Sacramento appraiser and market analyst Ryan Lundquist said in an email.
Since 2021, Sacramento County has seen only three sales with a listed square footage more than 10,000 square feet, “so this property is an absolute unicorn in size,” Lundquist said.
Also, the lot is larger than any sale recorded on MLS since 1998 within the communities of Shelfield Estates, Del Dayo, and Wilhaggin.
“In other words, it’s really uncommon to see a lot anywhere close to this size in the neighborhood,” he added.
The property is poised to be the highest residential sale ever in Carmichael, Lundquist said. If it sells anywhere near the listing price, the deal will beat a record $4.1 million price paid for a home at 2300 California Ave., which was built in the 1970s and intended to be a governor’s mansion for Ronald Reagan but wasn’t completed until after his term.
Sprawling home
The main home sprawls across nearly 9,300 square feet. The guest house and exercise room, which has a bathroom, adds more than 1,500 square feet to the layout. But there’s a surprising sense of coziness, serenity and comfort throughout.
“This expansive 5-bedroom, 6-bath residence radiates warmth and intention,” the property listing states.
Each guest suite comes with a private sitting area that overlooks lush, tranquil gardens, ponds, waterfalls, streams and sitting areas. Walking trails weave through the peaceful, verdant landscape past a resort-style pool and crystal-clear pond.
The architect, Havlick Hughes Gilliland, crafted the house “with wellness and rejuvenation in mind,” the listing states. A dedicated yoga and meditation room and a private gym complete that mission.
Other interior features:
- The kitchen and dining room: In the expansive kitchen, “you could probably fit 20 of your closest friends around the island, and everybody wouldn’t have plenty of elbow room,” Nightingale said. A large, separate dining room features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the koi pond. A temperature-controlled wine cellar is nearby. There’s also a breakfast nook overlooking the backyard, as well as a butler’s pantry.
- Theater room and library loft: The versatile entertainment space upstairs offers a big screen TV and a game or reading table, providing an escape for watching movies, playing games and socializing away from the main living spaces. “If you want to get away and watch a movie or play games with friends, it’s a sweet place to dip out to,” Nightingale said.
- Double-sided fireplace: Providing warmth and beauty to a pair of sprawling rooms under 30-foot cathedral ceilings, “you have this beautiful rock fireplace that’s double sided to enjoy on either side of the living spaces,” Heinzer said.
- Primary suite: At the far end of the house lies what might be the most spectacular room. The centerpiece is a sunken conversation pit with a fireplace and an adjacent wet bar. The ensuite bathroom is elevated by a jetted tub, dry sauna, steam shower and massive walk-in closet. “One of my favorite rooms in this home is the primary retreat,” Nightingale said. “It overlooks a 100-year-old oak tree that’s meticulously cared for. It’s just perfection.”
- Sunken full bar: The unique bar anchors the game and billiards room on the main floor. “The home was built for entertaining and gathering, as you can see,” Nightingale said.
Outdoor amenities galore
Outdoor amenities — a playground area, sport court and well-constructed, two-story tree house — abound. Multi-level, expansive decks and a built-in grilling spot look out over the pool, pond and gardens.
“It’s the ultimate retreat,” Nightingale said.
A big greenhouse, which blends into the scenery, gives the owner an opportunity to provide farm-to-table meals.
“We have meandering pathways that take you around the natural pond, the pool,” Heinzer said. “There’s decks everywhere. There’s lots of enclaves that you could go and just sit and meditate or enjoy nature.”
There’s even a comfortable dedicated space with a bathroom for groundskeepers.
The house was built in 1987 and owned by businessman Peter Bollinger, who founded Inter-Cal Real Estate Firm, according to public records at the Sacramento County Assessor’s Office. Bollinger died in 2024 at age 85.
The home’s calm, relaxing vibe is felt the moment you step onto the property and walk up a shady stone pathway built over a koi pond. Once inside the exquisite entryway, a large, handsome fish aquarium is an unexpected touch.
There’s a five-car garage for auto enthusiasts or guests.
At the asking price of $5.1 million, the home is priced near the top of the housing market.
Over the past four years, there have been seven sales on MLS in Sacramento County closing higher than $4 million, according to Lundquist. Five of the seven sales were within the same Carmichael/Arden Arcade area.
This story was originally published August 2, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
