Alex Buljan and Pierre Buljan are both with Compass Real Estate. The price tag on this opulent property landed it on Realtor.com®'s list of the most expensive homes of the week. Its price and history have certainly attracted a lot of attention.
"This property is a historical jewel set in the town of Hillsborough," said Alex Burjan." When the house hit the market this week, Mayor Christina Krolik visited the property because she recognized its historical value and had never been there before. As soon as she saw it, she asked if she could host a city event at the property. She was just blown away."
The home was redesigned by legendary architect Julia Morgan. Morgan was born in 1872 and attended college at the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned a degree in civil engineering. After graduating, she enrolled in a graduate degree in architecture at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, becoming the first woman to graduate from the program.
Morgan returned to the Golden State and became the first licensed female architect in California. She opened her own firm, designing homes and landmark buildings, taking on some 700 commissions during her career.
She handled the redesign of the Western White House when George Hearst hired her to completely remodel the house and property after it suffered major fire damage. Morgan accepted the commission in 1930; the original house dates back to the 1870s.
Hearst was introduced to Morgan by his mogul father, William Randolph Hearst, who had hired the architect in 1919 to design his now iconic Hearst Castle at St. Simon's.
Morgan redesigned the Hillsborough home to mimic the President's White House in Washington, D.C., with an Oval Office and a rose garden.
The 11-bedroom, 14-bathroom home has an eight-car garage and sits on three acres, much of which is wooded with a meandering creek running through the trees. The home is private and beyond the view of passersby.
The landscaped grounds include mature trees, terraces, lush lawns, a rose garden, marble hardscape, a gorgeous pool with hot tub, and a pavilion with its own kitchen, bathroom and sauna.
The Western White House was reportedly last purchased by longtime neighbor and real estate investor Mehrdad Elie, who heard the house was for sale. Elie offered $15 million and, when the offer was accepted, immediately began investing in major renovations and upgrades that deliberately reflected Morgan and Hearst's vision.
Elie invested millions of dollars in the project, updating all 14 (9 full baths, 5 half baths) bathrooms, ripping out carpet to install hardwood floors that matched Morgan's original floors, and polishing every architectural detail. After the project was completed, Elie decided the home was too large for his family of four and put the property on the market.
As you walk in, you'll find a formal entry parlor, two powder rooms, a replica "East Room" with fireplace, a formal dining room, gourmet kitchen, butler's pantry, breakfast room, family room and a replica "Oval Office.
The second level features five bedroom suites, including a master bedroom with two spacious bathrooms, generous dressing rooms, a private executive office, and an additional bedroom.
The top floor features a recreation room, home movie theater, snack bar, powder room, oversized bathroom with dressing room, a bedroom suite, and two additional bedrooms.
The lower level offers a fitness room, family room, lounge, wine cellar, two bedrooms, a bathroom, a dressing room and laundry center.
The estate also boasts a rooftop sun deck, extensive solar panels, a dumbwaiter, room-sized bank safe, and an emergency room.
