Silicon Valley Historic Auction!

Silicon Valley Historic Auction!

Silicon Valley Historic Auction!

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We see a lot of mansions come and go. Many are built by the fly-by-nights bursting with new money and light on cultivated taste, but there are the very rare few built with inspiration from the owner’s travels, their studies and a deep appreciation of art and nature. Villa Lauriston is one of the rarest to be found.

This classic Florentine villa was built by Herbert Edwards Law, a San Francisco capitalist, better known for purchasing the historic Fairmont Hotel just days before the 1906 earthquake. Unlike his peers who built their mansions in the city, Law chose to build his in the rolling hills to the south in today’s Silicon Valley.

According to the history of Villa Lauriston, over the four years of construction, Law made many trips to Europe where he acquired "the marble floor and staircase in Florence, as well as the onyx and breccia marble columns from a prestigious villa. He also collected wrought iron gates and grille work, together with marble fountains and statuary. Leaded and stained glass windows were purchased in England, France and Italy. Brass hardware, as well as bronze and crystal light fixtures, were purchased in France." He also collected important paintings and other artwork for the villa.

Cleverly, Law also purchased the Antoine Borel mansion in San Francisco which was due to be torn down. From this home he acquired the villa’s granite steps and a checkerboard-patterned floor of white Carrara and black Belgian marble, an entire room of cherry paneling, and an elegant glass conservatory.

Completed in 1926 but updated with all of today’s conveniences, the 16,000 square foot villa sits on 28 formally landscaped acres with guest house, pool, spa, tennis courts, terraces and large reflecting pool. The interior houses 7 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, formal rooms, libraries and much more. There is also a 600-vine vineyard with production equipment and facility.

This jewel of the Silicon Valley originally listed for $20 million, goes to auction on April 21st with the opening bid at $8.88 million.

Source: www.villalauristonauction.com