Elegantly designed and decorated, 1690 San Remo Drive a Pacific Palisades estate is a contemporary take on the timeless English manor
When the names of notable celebrity interior designer Michael Smith and the dynamic architectural duo of Mark Ferguson and Oscar Shamamian are mentioned simultaneously in conjunction with a residential property, you know you have a winner on your hands.
Combining Michael Smith’s blend of classic European style and American modernism with Ferguson & Shamamian’s distinctive take on classical style and artistic integrity—not to mention an owner with an impeccably creative eye for refined elegance—yields a custom-built beauty aptly suited for the pages of today’s top design magazines.
Case in point: this awe-inspiring Georgian-style mansion set atop a ridge at 1690 San Remo Drive in the highly desirable Rivera neighborhood of Pacific Palisades.
“This magnificent home is reminiscent of the great English manor homes of the 18th century,” says Elisabeth Halsted of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties, who is listing the estate for $38 million. “The architecture, quality and sheer beauty are truly one-of-a-kind, standing out above any home I have seen in Los Angeles.”
Situated on a 1.39-acre gated, private parcel boasting breathtaking views of the Pacific, downtown skyscrapers, majestic snow-capped peaks of the San Gabriel mountains and Getty Museum, the grand ivy-covered, painted white brick mansion was built in 2005 for late entertainment executive Michael King and his in-vogue wife, Jena.
No expense was spared within the opulent 15,642-square-foot showpiece, with extreme detail paid to materials and finishes throughout—including large steel-paned casement windows and doors; polished mahogany flooring; intricate ceiling moldings; a quintet of hand-carved marble fireplaces with inlaid stone; elaborate woodwork; and designer lighting and hardware.
The three-level residence is accentuated by a traditional layout, with the main level living space featuring a center hall foyer leading to formal living and dining rooms. Yet other highlights found on this floor include a wood-paneled office with fireplace; a sizeable sunroom with grand piano and floor-to-ceiling glass doors; and a professional chef’s kitchen featuring top-grade appliances, a double-wide work island, butler’s pantry and dining area with built-in banquette seating. In addition, a separate breakfast area opens to a dining terrace that connects to a paneled family room with a fireplace.
“This magnificent home is reminiscent of the great English manor homes of the 18th century.”
A duo of stairs leads to the upper level. Here one finds substantially sized en-suite guest and family bedrooms, along with a sumptuous master featuring a separate sitting room, terrace, and dual baths and dressing areas. Meanwhile, the fully furnished basement reveals a true study in luxurious amenities. Among the highlights are a state-of-the-art home theater with tiered seating; a billiards room; a gym; a children’s playroom; a suite of offices; staff quarters with a separate kitchen; and a safe room with a secure door.
For lovers of the great outdoors, the rear of the L-shaped home opens to an array of patios, porches, courtyards and loggias overlooking a grassy lawn and landscaped gardens. The beautiful resort-inspired grounds also feature a covered dining area, an infinity-edged spa, a massive pool and a pool house pavilion.
Rounding out this home’s special appeal is its convenient access to the Riviera Country Club—host of the PGA Tour’s annual Genesis Open in February—as well as top dining and shopping options at the Palisades Village and Brentwood Country Mart, along with some of the best beaches and hiking trails in Santa Monica.
“This is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Los Angeles due to the prestigious Riviera Country Club and the abundance of celebrity-owned view properties in the area,” says Halsted. This impressive property is truly unparalleled, with its exemplary locale, premier architecture and exquisite design all coming together to create the perfect trifecta.
Elisabeth Halsted
Berkshire Hathaway
List Price $38 Million | 1690Sanremodrive.com
Photography courtesy of Elisabeth Halsted