Explore 1851 adobe, part of California history, for sale in downtown Monterey
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- Historic 1851 Casa de la Torre in downtown Monterey listed for $3.5 million.
- Property spans 2,245 total square feet across main adobe and detached guest suite.
- Site holds rare Mills Act tax contract and mixed-use zoning for home or business.
Tucked behind sunlit gardens where Jefferson and Pierce streets meet above Friendly Plaza in Monterey, the historic adobe Casa de la Torre stands as one of the California coastal town’s most cherished architectural treasures.
Listed for $3.5 million, the rare home at 502 Pierce St. in Old Town Monterey invites a new steward to write the next chapter in its nearly 175-year story—an opportunity as uncommon as the property’s own legacy.
The downtown building is one of the few privately held historic adobe homes in an area zoned for both residential and commercial use, according to Compass real estate firm.
Built circa 1851 by Francisco Pinto, an original holder of a Spanish land grant, Casa de la Torre witnessed the birth of modern California. In 1862, the adobe became home to Jose Remigio de la Torre — the youngest son of Don Jose Joaquin de la Torre, a Spanish-born general under Gov. Juan Bautista Alvarado who served as Monterey’s alcalde, or mayor.
The home’s historical significance grew in 1923 when Katherine Osborne, daughter-in-law of literary giant Robert Louis Stevenson, bought the property.
Monterey’s storied adobe brick homes are the essence of the town’s famed past, their thick walls providing cool shelter and tangible links to Spanish and Mexican California. Among these dwellings, Casa de la Torre stands apart—its unbroken line of prominent owners, unique features and well maintained presence embodying Monterey’s intricate heritage.
‘Warm, uplifting energy’
“The Casa de la Torre is a distinguished part of early California history that blends timeless beauty with a warm, uplifting energy that is felt by anyone who steps inside,” seller Julie Kenner said in an email. “Peaceful and welcoming, this adobe—with its charming guesthouse and beautiful gardens in the heart of historic Old Monterey—has been truly special to our family as both a home and a place to work. Being part of its story has been a real privilege, and we pass it forward with gratitude and joy to its next devoted stewards.”
Kenner purchased the adobe in Old Town in 2015 and substantially improved the landscaping. She constructed a solar panel in the carport, in keeping with the integrity of the home, and added a greenhouse room to the guest cottage, according to Compass.
The property’s gardens are special—a lush tapestry that includes a chicken coop, bee box, plum and apricot trees, cherries, grapevines and blackberries. Zoned for both residential and commercial/mixed use, Casa de la Torre offers flexibility as both a home and a place of business or creative endeavor.
Inside, beautiful details preserved and improved across generations tell a unique story. The main structure offers one bedroom and one bathroom, plus a talented use of space with a loft, totaling over 1,735 square feet.
There’s a detached guest quarters, complete with its own bedroom and bathroom, adding another 510 square feet and elevating the home’s flexibility. Together, the property offers 2,245 square feet of indoor living.
Listing agent Angolee Bode of Compass described her role in representing Casa de La Torre as “a truly enchanting experience.”
“As I first stepped into this remarkable adobe home, the scent of the aged wood beams and the luminous light filtering through the magical gardens transported me to a time long past,” she said in an email to The Sacramento Bee. “The intricate tiles, the rich history, and the breathtaking views of Friendly Plaza make this property a rare and captivating piece of Monterey’s past.”
Home for artists, architects, advocates
Throughout the 20th century, Casa de la Torre attracted creative visionaries and community leaders, according to Compass. From 1924 to 1954, artist and local preservationist Myron Oliver made the adobe his home and art studio, raising his family here. Oliver’s restorative hand is still felt in the grand arched window he created—just one of his enduring contributions to Monterey which include founding the Monterey History and Art Association and creating Friendly Plaza across the street.
The mid-century saw architectural flair added by renowned Peninsula architect Will Shaw and his wife Mary Morse Shaw. Later, the building took on new purpose when Fremont Bank acquired it in 1986, catering to its most distinguished clientele within the adobe’s thick, history-soaked walls, according to Compass.
In 1999, James and Mary Bryant became Casa de la Torre’s caretakers for 16 years, updating the kitchen and bath while staying true to the building’s historical integrity.
Casa de la Torre is among the select adobes in town to receive the first Mills Act contract in Monterey County, allowing the owner significant reductions in property taxes, according to Compass. The home has been featured in books about Monterey’s past and stands as a highlight within the Monterey Old Town National Historic Landmark district.
This story was originally published December 11, 2025 at 9:16 AM.
