A Gilded Age mansion in San Francisco is coming on the market for the first time in decades for $32 million.
The sellers of the circa-1900 home are tech investor Jim Willenborg and his wife, Barbara Willenborg, who paid around $3.4 million for the property in 1988, records show.
Located on a corner lot a block from the Presidio, the Dutch Colonial brick home has views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the listing agents said. It was designed by the architect Walter D. Bliss, designer of several landmark San Francisco buildings. Bliss was commissioned to design a family home by his father, Duane L. Bliss, a timber and railroad magnate who helped develop Lake Tahoe into a resort destination, according to the book “Tahoe Heritage: The Bliss Family of Glenbrook, Nevada.” The Bliss family lived at the house until 1940, the book said.
The house spans about 11,000 square feet.
The house has about 10 bedrooms.
The house has two kitchens.
The main living and dining areas have detailed crown moldings and millwork.
The current owners spent about $2 million on an initial renovation, and have done additional projects over the years.
Every level of the house has views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
The Willenborgs said they spent about $2 million renovating and upgrading the home initially, and have done other remodeling projects along the way. In 1989, they renovated the kitchen and baths in conjunction with the San Francisco Decorators Showcase, said listing agent Karen Mendelsohn Gould of Compass, who is representing the property with colleague Max Armour.
Spanning about 11,000 square feet over five levels, the house has about 10 bedrooms, including a caretaker’s quarters, the agents said. Lower-level guest suites are framed by arched doorways, and there are views of San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge from every level.
“It is in a neighborhood with many wonderful houses, but the views and the greenery that surround it on the sides soothe the soul,” the Willenborgs said in an email. The house was a perfect place to entertain, they said.
A solarium is located off the main living and dining area.PHOTO: R. BRAD KNIPSTEIN
The house has a main entrance on Broadway and a second entrance on Baker Street near the Baker Street Steps, the agents said. The home has eight fireplaces, and there is a solarium off the main living and entertaining area, which has original millwork and detailed crown moldings, said Gould. There is a second family room and kitchen on the top floor. The style is known as an “upside down” house, typical of the area since many times the best views are from the top floor, Armour said.
The Willenborgs are selling to be closer to their children and grandchildren who live out of state, they said.
Overall, San Francisco’s luxury market is perking up after a “wobbly” 12 months, Armour said. In March, a home on Washington Street in the Presidio Heights sold for $34.5 million, records show. “We are a boom-and-bust town,” he said. “There’s a sense that we hit the bottom and we’re starting to climb again.”
⚜️🌳 San Francisco Decorator Showcase 2024 - Demolition 🛠 Progress ⚜️🌳
Step into the world of creativity and craftsmanship with our latest vlog, where we delve deep into the heart of the 2024 Decorator Showcase. As the Listing Agent for this year's event, I have the unique privilege of witnessing the birth of beauty in the form of the San Francisco Decorator Showcase. Celebrating an impressive 45 years, this year's venue at 2898 Broadway promises to be nothing short of spectacular. Join me on this journey behind the curtains as we uncover the intricate process of transforming this estate into a masterpiece. With 27 esteemed interior designers from the Bay Area at the helm, each room undergoes a remarkable metamorphosis in just three months. It's a whirlwind of creativity, dedication, and innovation as these designers breathe life into their visions.
The 45th Decorator Showcase will be open to the public from April 27 through May 27, 2024. We are thrilled to be opening our 45th season and look forward to seeing you there!Learn more about the UHS Showcase annual benefit.
San Francisco Decorator Showcase is an annual benefit for the University High School
