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Pacific Heights Classic Hilltop Masterpiece
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.
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.
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.
A graceful winding marble stairway leads upstairs to an expansive family living level and gallery. The spacious master suite and dressing room are situated on the northeast corner. Five additional family bedrooms and four baths include the Curio room that once housed Ray's extensive oological collection, and now serves as an upstairs sitting room with shared bath. Interior doorways allow the master suite plus its adjoining bedroom, with the Curio room, to open into one massive suite of rooms, baths, closets and dressing areas facing the spectacular north Bay views.
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 library that once housed Mrs. Emma Mitchell's expansive book collection with hardwood floors, richly paneled walls with built-in shelves and casement windows.
A mezzanine joins the library level to the garage by a rear stairway. 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.
An adjoining private tennis court on the south elevation provides outdoor fitness and recreation. 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.
A formal elevator entrance off the driveway on the ground level also access the spacious 4+ car garage and storage area.
Restoration scope and cost analysis by Ryan Associates General Contractors. Contact Eric Friedman. 415-990-9438.
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