Home of the Day: June 30, 2011

1965 PORTOLA ROAD, WOODSIDE
2 bed / 3.5 bath / 4,900 square feet

When I picture the area surrounding Portola Road in Woodside, I automatically think of shady Redwood groves and narrow lanes.  That's why when I heard about this property, which was modeled after a tropical resort, I was admittedly a bit skeptical.  The second I walked the grounds however, I was instantly won over by the stunning architecture and sophisticated landscaping. 

Let's talk about the house itself first.  The residence is anchored by an outstanding great room (seen above) that is intimately connected to the outdoors via several sliding doors.  The vaulted ceiling and stone fireplace add a dramatic touch, successfully blending the formality of the room's intended purpose and the informality of its connection to the outdoor living areas.  The rest of the rooms all succeeded in conveying the essence of a tropical island without falling prey to gimmicks or grandiosity. 

The grounds are just as well executed, if not more so.  The spotlight here is the beautiful grotto pool (seen above) which features a waterfall and a gently sloping entry ledge.  The pool flows into an adjacent koi pond, and tropical foliage conveys a sense of seclusion.  It also epitomizes the idea of outdoor California lifestyle...there are several outdoor living areas including a shady outdoor fireplace (see above), private patio accessed through the master bedroom and a lanai area immediately adjacent to the great room (see above). 

And if your interests tend to turn more rural, this residence is also one of the most spectacular horse properties I've ever seen.  A large paddock sits beside a barn with room for ten horses.

Listed by Coldwell Banker for $6,995,000

Home of the Day: June 28, 2011

198 SAND HILL CIRCLE, MENLO PARK
3 bed / 3 bath / 2,050 square feet

The townhouses on Sand Hill Circle are highly sought after due to their proximity to the Sharon Heights Golf Course, but it is the rare unit that can boast a view like the one seen above.  Even on a gloomy, rainy tour date like today, the view that greeted me as I walked into the living room was simply breathtaking.  The floor to ceiling glass in the room utilizes the fabulous location to the fullest.

That being said, once I caught my breath and turned away from the course, the property had plenty of other features to offer.  The unit has been impeccably kept and boasts detail after detail, from hardwood floors to plantation shutters to beautifully updated bathrooms and kitchen.  In particular, the closets were perfectly executed.  The master closet was a large walk-in that had been completely custom designed with wood shelving, and the closets in the other two bedrooms were similarly outfitted.

The floor plan is the classic split level found in virtually all of the Sand Hill Circle townhouses.  I find this floor plan functional and stylish.  It is the updates, upkeep and fantastic view, however, that truly put this unit in a league of its own.

Listed by Coldwell Banker for $1,300,000

Home of the Day: June 25, 2011

1159 CARLTON AVENUE, MENLO PARK
2 bed / 1 bath / 960 square feet

Silicon Valley is notorious for extremely high real estate prices.  However, pockets of affordability absolutely still exist if you know where to look.  Take the section of Menlo Park that lies east of the 101, affectionately known by its residents as Belle Haven.  Prices in this area are extremely affordable, and with the Facebook headquarters moving to the area there is much speculation that these homes will see an increase in value.

I just took a look at this property today and instantly fell in love with its charm.  It is simple and light and has fantastic curb appeal for the neighborhood.  It's a small property but has been meticulously well kept, with an up to date kitchen and bathroom and nice hardwood floors.  A fantastic feature is the loft (see above).  This is a large space with adequate height that could work for anything from an office to a family room to another bedroom.

This would also be a really interesting property to purchase for rental income.  It shows incredibly well and would surely attract tenants.

Listed by RE/MAX for $359,000

Home of the Day: June 24, 2011

740 FLORALES DRIVE
4 bed / 3 bath / 2,273 square feet

Palo Alto has no shortage of four bedroom ranch homes, so it takes a lot for a property to stand out from the crowd.  The second I walked into this house I was instantly in love with it.  The first thing you see is the enormous open great room.  Crowned by a terrifically high vaulted ceiling (see above), this room is perfectly proportioned to hold many different living spaces.  Several clusters of living room furniture fit, as well as room for even the largest of dining room tables.  This is truly a space that pictures cannot do justice, so get out and see it while you can!

That's not to say that the rest of the house wasn't stunning as well.  The master bedroom was large and had fantastic detailing, from the dark wood in the master closet to the contemporary custom sink in the bath.  The yard feels much larger than its size would suggest, and on a sunny day like today it would be perfect for everything from a child's birthday party to a company cook out.  The kitchen was completely updated and featured a quaint eating nook.

Located on a shady street in Barron Park, what also really impressed me about the house was that its charming curb appeal and subtle exterior fit perfectly with the rural attitude of the neighborhood.  The simple and classic ranch house features play perfectly off of the drama of the great room, saving this property from being boring or ostentatious.  This is one of the better entries in a quickly moving field of properties between $1,000,000 and $2,000,000, and I'll be watching it very closely.

Listed by Alain Pinel Realtors for $1,788,000

Home of the Day: June 21, 2011

5050 ALPINE ROAD, PORTOLA VALLEY
7 bed / 8 full and 2 half baths / Unknown square footage

This property has been on the market before, but when it came on tour today with a new agent I didn't hesitate on driving out to see it again.  Let's be clear.  There are mansions, and then there are mansions.  This is truly the most spectacular property I have ever seen, and seeing it again today did not dull any of the awe I initially felt.

First off, the location.  The property is situated on a truly enormous parcel of approximately 28.5 acres, but on top of that much of the acreage is surrounded by open space adding even more privacy.  Subsequently, the grounds are truly incomparable.  Private pond?  OK, this house has one.  600 vine vineyard?  Yeah, this has that too.  Tennis court?  Two pools?  2,000 square foot guest house?  Yes, yes and yes.  Nowhere else in Silicon Valley does one property offer so many amazing features on its grounds.

The house itself is a throwback to another era.  Built in 1926, it boasts incomparably well maintained period detail and grandeur.  Pictured above is the jaw dropping ballroom, an enormously scaled room which adds a sense of drama and intrigue to the property.  But it's the subtle details that won me over time and time again...intricate window paneling, expertly carved wood and custom door fixtures, all clearly crafted by hand, are present everywhere you look.

Unfortunately, this property can only be seen with a qualified pre-approval letter...as more pictures surface I'll be sure to come back and post them for you because this estate is really something else.

Listed by Sereno Group for $20,000,000

Home of the Day: June 17, 2011

102 UNIVERSITY #3A, PALO ALTO
2 bed / 3 bath / 4,280 square feet

Is there anybody who lives in Palo Alto who can't instantly identify the building above?  This striking architectural masterpiece is located on University Avenue adjacent to the "Circle" connecting Alma and University.  Built as a mixed use building, two of the three condominiums are now on the market and they are as stunning as the building itself.

Let's start with the largest unit which I just previewed this morning.  I thought the minimalism of the exposed structural elements contrasted nicely with the drama employed by the 10+ foot ceilings and sheer walls of windows.  Everywhere you turn there is something new to catch your eye...a slanted reading lounge accessed by the main public rooms that overlooks Alma, a built-in desk in the second floor landing and the elegant minimalist closets are some of the features I enjoyed the most.

The truly spectacular aspect of the property, however, is the beautiful rooftop garden.  Located at the top of the unit, in the daytime you get an unparalleled 360 degree view of downtown Palo Alto.  At night the view becomes truly special as the city lights up, as can be seen above. 

All in all this is the single most fantastic piece of contemporary architecture I have seen hit the market in the past year.  This is truly an exceptional property without equal.

Listed by Sotheby's International Realty for $5,388,000

Home of the Day: June 14, 2011

1475 WOODLAND AVENUE, MENLO PARK
3 bed / 3 bath / 2,400 square feet

There are just some streets that always stick with you for whatever reason, and Woodland in Menlo Park has been a perennial favorite of mine.  The creekside tranquility of the street belies the fact that you are just minutes away from accessing Downtown Palo Alto via the bridge at Chaucer and Woodland.  It’s an odd pairing of a location that allows you to “get away from it all” while still being incomparably close to restaurants, parks and shopping.

This property fits right in on the shady street.  Built in 1932, it is classically Mediterranean with exquisite attention to detail.  The ceilings in particular are impressive…a vaulted ceiling anchors the kitchen, while beautiful wood beams grace the other public rooms on the first floor.

The grounds are shady and well planted, anchored by mature trees that further add to wooded appeal of the neighborhood.  They feature a meandering path to get to the front door that passes a subtle fish pond, and are anchored by a fantastic deck and an artist studio.

Listed by RE/MAX Distinctive Properties for $1,495,000

Home of the Day: June 13, 2011

9 SUMMIT ROAD, WOODSIDE
2 bed / 2 bath / 2,850 square feet

“Contemporary” and “rustic” are not words you frequently find next to each other in real estate promotional materials.  The type of buyer who wants a secluded log cabin and the type of buyer who wants an ultra-contemporary architectural marvel are usually at opposite ends of the spectrum.  This property, however, makes as convincing of an argument as any for why sometimes opposites meld perfectly together.

Situated on a breathtaking three-acre lot dotted with mature redwoods and patches of wildflowers, this stunning main residence is accessed by a long driveway.  The framing of the house is in timber and somehow manages to simultaneously catch your eye and blend naturally into its surroundings.  The dramatic windows take full advantage of the incomparable view of Silicon Valley (see above), and lofty ceilings anchored by logs further enhance the sense of majesty that comes from both the architectural and naturalistic aspects of the residence.

The property is also being sold with a five-acre buildable lot situated alongside.

Listed by Coldwell Banker for $5,500,000

Home of the Day: June 12, 2011

720 HOBART STREET, MENLO PARK
6 bed / 5.5 bath / 4,600 square feet

If you’re looking for a traditional house that exudes a sense of luxury and charm simultaneously, West Menlo Park is often one of the first places I suggest looking.  There are always newly constructed properties that aspire to that aesthetic, and amongst the ones on sale there are always a couple gems that hit it out of the park.

This is one of those gems.  Constructed in 2007, everything is spot on.  The floorplan and picture perfect exterior are what initially grab you, but as I was walking through it the subtle elements were what continued to catch my eye.  The sumptuous carpeting on the staircases and in the bedrooms, the elegant custom closets, the built-in stereo speakers in the public rooms…literally every aspect of this property was perfectly executed.

A beautiful master bedroom on the top floor boasts an elegant French door terrace that looks over the expansive backyard (the lot size is approximately 10,710 square feet).  Three other bedrooms are located up top.  The remaining two are located on the main floor and in the basement level, which also features an entertainment area that accesses natural light via use of generous light wells.

Listed by Alain Pinel Realtors for $4,280,000