Pasadena’s Rusnak Auto Group displayed fine motor cars by Rolls Royce, Bentley, Porsche and Maserati during the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury event at 2 Oak Knoll Terrace on Wednesday, October 27, 2021. [Photo by Eddie Rivera]
Under a brilliant blue sky in one of Pasadena’s most exclusive neighborhoods, Pasadena’s office of the Global Luxury Division of Coldwell Banker hosted more than 150 agents and brokers Wednesday at its spectacular 2 Oak Knoll Terrace listing, in the shadow of the historic Langham Huntington, Pasadena.
The luncheon was not only a showcase of the astonishing trophy estate, but a summit meeting of 150 of Southern California’s most prestigious realtors.
The property is the only known estate in the country consisting of a totally-restored historically-important home combined with a commercial-grade museum, set on 2.45 acres of gated park-like grounds.
As Realtor Darrell Done, who with agent Carol Chua holds the listing for the Oak Knoll property explained, “The Global Luxury division of Coldwell Banker is dedicated to higher-end properties. There are unique properties in it, because Coldwell Banker is a global broker, with offices in 43 countries around the world.”
Darrell Done
Done continued, “The concept of global luxury was introduced a couple of years ago and it replaced our previous division, which was our estate division. More importantly, it is a network of especially-trained agents who specialize in the higher-end properties. It’s a great network, not only from a selling standpoint but from a relationship standpoint.”
Global Luxury agents go through refined training and accreditation, Done explained, and added, “Ultimately they need to possess the ability to sell at a certain sales level.”
The office could not have picked a more spectacular local property to demonstrate their efforts and status.
The luxurious 2 Oak Knoll home—with two turnkey structures—sits on a private cul-de-sac just steps from The Langham Huntington, Pasadena.
One of the structures is a 12,300 square-foot residence designed by Myron Hunt (Huntington Library, Langham Huntington Hotel, Rose Bowl Stadium, Hollywood Bowl) and Gordon Kaufmann (Caltech Athenaeum, Los Angeles Times Building, Hollywood Palladium); and the other structure is a 20,500 square-foot entertainment gallery designed by architects Kelsey and Ladd (Norton Simon Museum).
Since 2010, the current owners have restored and renovated the property, creating a “trophy” estate with indoor and outdoor entertaining facilities for family and groups.
The estate is reportedly the only one in the country consisting of a restored historically significant home combined with a commercial-grade museum, set on 2.5 acres of gated park-like grounds.
Originally built in 1917 by Peter Hall, the residence showcases a living room, formal dining room, library, pub room, six bedrooms, including a master suite, twelve bathrooms, six fireplaces, three laundry rooms, plus a 2700 square-foot basement with a refrigerated wine room and vault.
The adjoining entertainment gallery, built in 1973, holds a 50-seat movie theater, a Tiki bar, game arcade, card room, gym, lounges, conference rooms, screening atrium, five bathrooms, as well as a guest apartment with fireplace and catering kitchen. A private underground passage, served by commercial elevators, connects the two buildings.
As Done explained, “When this house was built, it was on 11 acres. This culdesac didn’t exist. The house next door was the servant’s quarters. The house next door on this side was their tennis pavilion and the house next door to that was their gardeners’ pavilion.”
“And,” he continued, “In this Hillcrest neighborhood, every house is by some incredibly noted architect. And the ironic part that have a 1917 house built by a notable architect of his time, the owner, Mrs. Scott wanted to have her art collection. She chose the preeminent architects at the time, Kelsey and Ladd, who did the Norton Simon museum.”
Thus, said Done, “This property is so unique because it is an architecturally significant home that has been tremendously upgraded. It’s a 20th-century house that is 21st-century technology. So it’s the best of everything, of course.”
The museum, as a large commercial structure which sits in a residential neighborhood, would never be allowed again in Pasadena, Done pointed out.
“It was only allowed because of her relationship with the City of Pasadena and this art collection that she possessed, which is now housed at the Huntington Library.”
That’s thinking globally, and acting locally.
Darrell Done may be reached at (626) 844-2255 or darrell@darrelldone.com.
For more about the property, please click here.
