This $25 Million Cali Home Was Inspired By The White House
William Randolph Hearst's former house, also known as the "Western White House," was listed on the market for $25 million. The Georgian Colonial was renovated in 1930 by Julia Morgan, California's first woman architect and the first woman admitted to the Ecole des Beaux-Arts de Paris architecture program.
According to its listing brokerage, Sotheby's, the majestic compound in Hillsborough, California — approximately a 30-minute drive from downtown San Francisco — is up for grabs and demanding that enormous value. The estate bears a striking similarity to the real White House in Washington D.C., too.
The 24-room "Western White House," located at 401 El Cerrito Ave., has 11 bedrooms, 11 baths, and four powder rooms, as well as an Oval Office-inspired library and a rose garden outside. With clean cabinetry and a big island that creates a contrast with its brass marble colors, the kitchen retains the subtle-toned palette and showcases a selection of white trendy concepts. Stepping out outdoors, a white veneer with spherical protrusions and imposing columns conjure up more visions of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
The house was redesigned by California's first female architect
Julia Morgan, California's first female licensed architect, was also the first woman admitted to Paris' prestigious Ecole des Beaux-Arts architecture school, per The New York Times. She rose to prominence as the designer of Hearst Castle, and later on, she was commissioned by the Hearst family to design the "Western White House." The estate was previously owned by George Hearst, the oldest son of media mogul William Randolph Hearst, and was built in 1915. After the house was substantially damaged by fire in 1930, George hired Morgan to redesign it.
Morgan had to deal with criticism early on as the first woman to acquire an architect's license in California in 1904. But she overcame those reservations by establishing a sterling reputation for projects such as the Asilomar conference grounds on the Monterey Peninsula and, most notably, the Hearst Castle in San Simeon. She had designed hundreds of structures and places by the time she retired in 1951 at the age of 79.
The Western White House has royalty-worthy amenities
The estate listing states that the enormous 25,000-square-foot home spans over 3 acres of groomed grounds. Additionally, besides the 11 bedrooms, 11 full baths, and four half-baths, it also boasts a wine cellar, movie theater, media room, fitness center, and library inspired by the Oval Office.
The estate's yard features fountains, trees, hedgerows, and a large mosaic motor court with enough parking behind a gated entry. Sprawling lawns, a rose garden, and ivy arches surround a gigantic statue-studded pool, bathhouse, and pavilion, with all of these amenities outlined by towering pillars. "Unmatched in pedigree and amenities, this is an estate truly fit for royalty," the listing states.
The seller is Shailesh Mehta, former chairman and CEO of credit card issuer Providian Financial. He bought the estate in 1997, "with the vision of maintaining the property while remodeling to bring it up to today's design and keeping its rich, cultural aesthetic," listing agent Jennifer Gilson of Sotheby's said. According to Zillow, Mehta purchased the property for around $6 million and remodeled it extensively. The renovations included the pool and interior areas, as well as added master rooms on both ends of the house that create a welcoming, opulent atmosphere for family and guests.