In a world of hyperbole and exaggeration, it’s frankly rare when any object or circumstance truly lives up to the words, “spectacular” or “overwhelming.”
But drive past the impressive iron gates at 999 Rosalind Road in San Marino, head up the sloped driveway and then try to find better words to describe the surroundings.
We visited the 2.3 acre property this week along with realtor Joyce Zhao, and were overwhelmed with superlatives, but we’ll get to those.
Hidden almost matter-of-factly behind a grove of ten-story trees in what was known as Lacy Estates, the luxurious six-bed, 14-bath residence, which recently returned to the market—at just over $21.3 million—originally belonged to the family of Caroline Huntington Holladay from 1918 to 1996.
The Huntingtons, the historic founding family of San Marino, originally lived on a nine-acre property which is now The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, before acquiring and subdividing various other properties in the area around the family estate.
In fact, the Rosalind property is itself a living history of the neighborhood, and the larger surrounding community.
For pictures of the property, please click here
As noted in an 2021 archaeological assessment by archaeologist Jeanette McKenna, San Marino was originally part of the large holdings of the Mission San Gabriel de Arcangel.
This mission was founded in 1771 and moved to its present location in 1776.
Long before Spanish and Mexican land grants, according to the assessment’s history, the Mission had jurisdiction over the entire Los Angeles basin under authority given by the Spanish government.
Between 1824 and 1834, the Mexican government, now controlling Alta California—all of California above its southern border—initiated a program of secularization and seized much of the Mission lands throughout Alta California. This acreage was, for the most part, reissued as government land grants to individuals that were identified as “persons who served the government or were otherwise considered permanent occupants of Alta California.”
In this case, the property at 999 Rosalind Road is associated with the historic Rancho San Pasqual de Manuel Garfias, located north of the San Gabriel Mission. The Rancho San Pasqual would be within the area equated with the southeastern extent of the Rancho San Pasqual, very near the boundary between Rancho San Pasqual and Rancho Santa Anita.
As designed and constructed in 1918, the overwhelming residence dazzles the eye at first look, and things only get better from there. At the time of its construction the home was state-of the-art in design and amenities, and much of the original design remains in place.
There is 10,458 square feet of living space along with a two-story guest house, a Japanese-inspired tea house, small quarters with two on-suite bedrooms for security staff, as well as a six-car garage.
A landscaped front yard with fountains sets the stage for the colonial revival residence, while Greek columns mark the entrance to the main floor with foyer, living room, family room, game room, formal dining room, wet bars and kitchen.
All range from “large” to “huge,” and can easily accommodate several soirees or meetings on their own.
From the central entrance, the “Gone with The Wind”-style stairway leads to the upper bedroom level. The master bedroom suite takes up the complete east wing and features a large retreat area, and a private sitting room. Three additional bedrooms fill the west wing of the upper level.
A stroll through the gardens naturally brings to mind the impressive gardens of the Huntington Gardens themselves, with a nod to the Gardens of Luxembourg in Paris.
A discreet tea house half-hidden and half-highlighted by foliage, sits next to a fully stocked koi pond along with a waterfall, of course.
The rose gardens which naturally evoke those at the original family estate lead to a guest house which sits above the main swimming pool, redesigned by the current owners for a collection of oriental art pieces.
A tennis court below the guest house deck, along the northern edge of the lot, finishes off the dramatic property.
999 Rosalind is seemingly more historic resort than home, and in its history, very likely saw every prominent figure of the time pass through its doors. Only time will tell who the next one will be.
For more information, please click here.
