Offered at: $19,800,000
"A boat beneath a sunny sky,
Lingering onward dreamily…
Lingering in the golden gleam —
Life, what is it but a dream?"
-Lewis Carroll
"…and I think to myself: What a wonderful world."
-Louis Armstrong
Extraordinary lives are made up of much more than material riches. They are made up of dreams realized; especially those dreams that result from sacrifices made on the path to awe and wonder.
For intrepid souls that dream of an extraordinary life… for those that have been blessed with exceptional good fortune and grace… and especially for those that best commune with the natural world when they are on or near the sea; the Casa dei Sogni is the fulfillment of all those dreams, and more.
La Casa dei Sogni at 125 Belvedere Avenue is a luxury bayfront estate like no other. It was designed by world renowned architect Andrew Skurman. With offices in Paris and San Francisco, Skurman and his team undoubtedly took inspiration from the most celebrated Mediterranean Estates of the 18th and 19th centuries.
Built in 2008 by David Warner and his famed Red Horse Constructors along the coveted southwestern shore of Belvedere Island, at the edge of the San Francisco Bay, they combined the finest quality European materials, with the pride of craftsmanship of a bygone era, to create a home that remains classically contemporary in its elegant and timeless style, and most especially in its modern engineering and construction.
Reminiscent of Portofino’s finest historic villas, La Casa dei Sogni is destined to become as much a priceless ancestral legacy, as it is a warm and inviting family residence… for it is truly a House of Dreams.
By sea, the boat dock and boathouse at the end of the pier are just two of the countless elements that give the luxury bayside villa its incomparable value. Imagine going to work on a sunny morning in your shorts and flipflops, strolling along your own private pier on the San Francisco Bay, with the Golden Gate Bridge as a backdrop. Imagine engaging all of your senses as you linger just for a moment, before arriving at the front door of your home office: A meticulously crafted boathouse, at the end of that pier; as you listen to the call of the seabirds, and hear the lapping of the waves; see unobstructed views that span from the downtown San Francisco skyline, across the Bay, and Bridge, and Sausalito, to the top of Mount Tamalpais, through the rays of sunlight glistening off the sea; smell the salt air, and feel the fresh breeze that caresses you, grateful for the taste of the magical life that you have created for yourself, and for those you love.
Imagine engaging all your senses at sea, commuting to your City office, or to a night-on-the-town, as you depart from the Casa dei Sogni in your own luxury motor yacht, on the tides of the Bay.
Well… imagine no further, because the sale 125 Belvedere Avenue includes just such a boathouse, as well as a luxury motor yacht, and even a slip in San Francisco’s Pier 39, making your dream a reality.
By land, the home is accessed via a secure gated entry. Once behind the gates, step off the hand-hewn cobblestone entry way, and into the cabin of the Swiss designed funicular that whisks you to the front door of the villa. Every aspect of life at 125 Belvedere Avenue is designed and built as a constant reminder that you are living an extraordinary life.
The home itself is a place of whimsy and of timeless aesthetic beauty. It is a place where space and time seem fluid, as you live among centuries-old patterned oak floors, fireplace hearths, and countless other architectural elements that once adorned some of Italy’s finest palazzi.
And just like many of those seaside palazzi along the Ligurian coastline, the home is at once, extremely private, while also in the immediate vicinity of world-renowned restaurants, shops, and other amenities along Belvedere/Tiburon’s famed Main Street, and Ark Row; not to mention two of the world’s most celebrated yacht clubs. For those that seek a village life at the edge of a major metropolis; for those that want to stroll to a book talk at the town library, to the post office, or to enjoy a morning espresso at their favorite cafe; and especially for those that seek the benefits of community; 125 Belvedere affords the best of both worlds.
The Casa dei Sogni is certainly not for everyone. Some may find the access by land and sea far too whimsical and impractical. Others will prefer concrete, glass, and steel to plaster, cobblestone, and terra cotta. But for those that aspire to celebrate their success in an extraordinary Mediterranean style seaside home that graces both land and sea, then the luxury estate at 125 Belvedere Avenue is a dream come true.
ESTATE SUMMARY
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125 Belvedere Avenue is a meticulously constructed Bayside Estate located on the prestigious southwestern shores of Belvedere Island, with open and unobstructed views that span from the city skyline of San Francisco all the way west, toward the twin spires of the Golden Gate Bridge, to the town and harbors of Sausalito, and beyond.
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The exceedingly rare private pier, boat dock, boat lift, and beach access provide boundless recreational options, as well as epic entertaining opportunities on the enormous Waterfront Deck.
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Designed by Andrew Skurman, of the globally recognized architectural firm Skurman Architects, with offices based in Paris and San Francisco.
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The celebrated team at Redhorse Constructors, led by David Warner, completed the magnificent bayfront villa in 2008, achieving the highest levels of fit and finish, with the finest materials, appliances, and systems available. The engineering and construction methods are nothing short of a modern marvel. Yet, it is the old-world elegance and grace, infused into every architectural detail, that give the waterfront villa an unrivaled sense of history and soul.
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The main home and guest home measure 5,895 SqFt (per draftsperson). Both are brilliantly laid out; taking full advantage of the 4/10ths of an acre hillside parcel of land that extends from the street to the shores of the San Francisco Bay, with exceptional prominence on the waterfront.
- A total of 20+ rooms, 5 Ensuite Bedrooms, 5 Full Bathrooms and 5 Powder Rooms, in two residences, and the Boathouse. With an Elevator that services all three floors of the main residence.
- To live in the Casa dei Sogni is to be surrounded by awe-inspiring beauty: Both natural and manmade. Life on the San Francisco Bay is a symphony of ever changing sites and sounds; sky-scapes and seascapes; moonlight and sunlight shimmering on the tides… And it is made all the more magnificent by the architectural splendor of the residence.
- The spectacularly appointed Chef’s Kitchen opens to the Family Room, but also to a panoramic view alfresco dining Deck with outdoor Barbecue Kitchen and fireplace.
- The full floor Primary Bedroom suite has it all. Stunning views, opulent finishes, enormous closets, two Full Bathrooms, a large view Patio, and a large adjoining room perfectly suited to be a nursery, home office, or gym.
- Beneath the Primary Bedroom level, there are two more large Bedroom Suites separated by a comfortable Entertainment Room with Dry Bar. Each room is light filled with sweeping views of the Bay. Also on this level is a well appointed Laundry Room, and direct access to the sea.
- Perhaps the most unique and magical features of the villa are the sun soaked Seaside Deck, tidal beach, private Boat Dock (with a boat lift), and the cozy well-appointed Boathouse; all directly accessible from the lower level of the home.
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The private tramway / funicular system is designed by the renowned Swiss engineering firm Inauen-Schätti, and installed by hillside transportation specialists, Outdoor Engineers. This commercial grade "Inclined Elevator" transports passengers from the street level to the home’s front entrance. The sophisticated computer-controlled gear driven tram operates on an overbuilt heavy duty steel track and, according to the seller, is one of only a handful of its kind that exists in private homes in the United States. The entire tramway was very recently overhauled, with the aim of providing the home’s new owners decades of efficient and reliable service.
- A detached One Bedroom Guest Casita is located on the hillside, between the fully gated entry level, and the Waterfront Villa. While immediately adjacent to the Guest Casita is a well appointed Office/Business Center, including a private half bath and wet bar.
- Behind the fully gated street level entry way is, perhaps, Belvedere’s most appealing garage structure. With it’s antique terracotta roof, and massive wooden garage door, this two car Garage not only enjoys spectacular views, it has also been upgraded with sound proofing material that make it perfect for your favorite garage band.
- Two additional parking spots on the hand-hewn cobblestone driveway.
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Included with the purchase of the home is the luxurious Sea Ray 510 Fly, a stunning 51-foot motor yacht, currently berthed at Belvedere’s Corinthian Yacht Club, and includes a 60-foot slip at San Francisco’s Pier 39, providing turnkey commutes to and from the City.