California Cliff May Hacienda!

California Cliff May Hacienda!

California Cliff May Hacienda!

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An oil promoter and banker, John Arnholt Smith was the older brother of C. Arnholt Smith, a multimillionaire California banker who brought major league baseball to San Diego. In 1933, John Arnholt Smith loaned his brother money to buy a controlling interest in the United States National Bank, from which C. Arnholt was eventually convicted of embezzlement and commingling funds. This Spanish-style ranch was the home John built in 1936 on the original Rancho Los Nietos land grant in the Alta "territory" 89 years after it came under the American flag.

It was John Smith’s brother C. Arnholt who discovered the budding architect Clifford May. He was touring May’s third house and told John to come to San Diego to look at it. John and his wife’s commission to May to design and build a home for them on 40 acres in La Habra Heights in Los Angeles County would be May’s first foray into Los Angeles. The Smiths were so pleased with their house that Smith insisted May should move to Los Angeles where Smith would become his financial supporter. May took him up on his suggestion and became one of California’s most esteemed architects. He is many times referred to as the developer of the California ranch house concept.

The house so loved by John Arnholt Smith is now for sale. The 4,664-square-foot house built around a large courtyard has four bedrooms, five bathrooms, formal rooms, a library, wine cellar and two garages. The hilltop property enjoys views of Catalina Island, city lights, mountains, and ocean. The 2.3 acres on which it is sited has a pool nestled into lush landscaping. For more information.

The John Arnholt Smith House that introduced Cliff May as one of California’s most admired architects of the 20th Century is now for sale, priced at $2.449 million.

Source: www.cliffmayhacienda.com