Luxe Living

Tech mogul David Sacks has just paid $20 million for 2845 Broadway Street in San Francisco, making it the one of the most expensive homes ever sold in San Francisco. Sacks and his wife Jacqueline are the proud new owners of the partially-completed home on ‘Billionaire’s Row.’ The estate was previously owned by Peter Sperling, who made his fortune and earned his right to live on the prestigious block by helping build the The University of Phoenix online education empire.

Sacks and his family will fit right into the neighborhood: earlier this year, he sold his company, Yammer, to Microsoft for $1.2 billion. Prior to Yammer, Sacks was COO at PayPal and founder of Geni.com, a family tree building and networking site. Just one month after selling Yammer, Sacks predicted “the end of Silicon Valley as we know it.” Perhaps this hunch is what convinced him to settle his young family into the historic Pacific Heights neighborhood, a part of town also enjoyed by nearby residents like the Getty family, Larry Ellison and Marc Pincus.

Originally listed unfinished for the astronomical price of $65 million, the Sacks’ new home came on and off the market with drastic price chops for the greater part of six years. According to Socketsite, 2845 Broadway was part of a two-parcel site, which also included 2940 Pacific, that was purchased by the Sperlings for $32 million in 2002. The cost of construction for the 17,500 square foot home and 6,000 square foot guest house exceeded $20 million, and the “buzz among local brokers” is that it will cost upwards of $10 million to finish the home. Sacks better dig deep into the Microsoft money to make it happen.

Update:

We had previouly heard buzz among local “in-the-know” brokers that the purchase price would be $34.5 million. This is not the case and our source was incorrect. Public records now show the full purchase price of the home was $20M.

Jonathan Ive has had a busy past couple months to say the least! In the wake of the most anticipated tech launches of the year, the senior vice president of industrial design at Apple has reportedly been juggling designing a newer and sleeker iPhone 5, all while closing on a new $17 million San Francisco estate, reports The Wall Street Journal. Given last week’s iPhone 5 release, Ive is surely proud to show off his new project, as well as his fabulous new digs.

For the past year, it has been rumored that Ive was looking to take his family and head back to his native Britain, however it looks as if this extravagant 7,274-square-foot dream home on San Francisco’s “Gold Coast” may have been reason enough to stick around.

Located in the sought-after Pacific Heights neighborhood, the estate was originally listed for $25 million as it sits in the city’s most exclusive “Gold Coast” blocks. Built in 1927 and designed by the famous architectural firm Willis Polk & Co. – most known for designing The Palace of Fine Arts, one of San Francisco’s most famous monumental structures– the 6-bedroom, 8.5 bathroom estate offers an elegant, Bay Area escape inside and out.

The five-level floor plan includes a slate roof and top-level deck with spa and stunning views of the entire city that would take your breath away. The main and lower levels feature large formal rooms, a gourmet kitchen, a bottom-level apartment and a fabulous moss-covered brick garden courtyard. Period-authentic architectural designs are seen throughout the entire space, with antique door fixtures, plaster moldings, windows with stone and oak flooring lining the walk ways to create an authentic ambiance.

If the views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island and Russian Hill aren’t enough, an elevator, polished-copper chandelier, library, various wood-burning fireplaces, fitness room and bottom-level apartment should give you an idea of the San Francisco luxury Mr. Ive will come home to.

It’d be no surprise if this stunning home will keep Ive continuing to innovate and design in the Bay Area – at least until the release of iPhone 10.

Images and details via Sotheby’s.

While Zynga’s stock price continues to trade lower and lower, CEO Mark Pincus is trading up his lifestyle. According to sources, Mark Pincus and his wife Alison, co-founder of the delightfully addictive home decor flash sale site One Kings Lane, have just picked up a posh new San Francisco pad. Originally priced at $16.5M, the Pincus family paid $16M for the home in the posh SF neighborhood of Pacific Heights.

Pacific Heights, or “Pac Heights,” according to locals, is the must-live-in neighborhood for the billionaire set. The Pincus’ new neighbors include Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, the Getty family, University of Phoenix owner Peter Sperling, and dozens of other monied folks.

The Pincus family has been very active on the San Francisco real estate scene as of late. In late December 2011, they sold an understated San Francisco home in the Cole Valley neighborhood for $1.97M. Also now sold is their stunning, never-lived-in Presido Heights home for $8.2M.

What could possibly top their former properties? Let’s dig into the details of the new Pincus family playground: built in 1907, and never before been on the market, this Pacific Heights view mansion is a classic piece of San Francisco architecture that has remained in the same family since it was built. Set back from Pacific Avenue for the utmost in privacy, the grand residence is perched on the south side of the 2800 block of ‘Outer Broadway,’ one of only three blocks known as the ‘Gold Coast’ of San Francisco – where the most prestigious homes in all of San Francisco sit and elicit gawks from tourists and locals alike.

The residence was originally owned by Edwin W. Newhall and the architect for the home, Albert Farr, was renowned in San Francisco and the Bay Area. Today, the historic residence stands as it was – a classic example of Dutch Colonial Revival architecture with shingled facade, period lighting, and myriad diamond divided light windows, plus picture windows that present magnificent Golden Gate Bridge and Bay views. Spanning four levels plus a spacious attic, the home reflects the design of the early 1900s, with grand formal rooms on the main level, a continuous succession of family bedrooms and sitting rooms on the second and third floor, plus original staff quarters and the main kitchen on the basement level. With over 15 main rooms and approximately 11,500 square feet, the home presents a remarkable opportunity to reimagine the interior design for a variety of 21^st century lifestyle needs – something Alison Pincus and her One Kings Lane team will likely have no problem perfecting.

Steve Gothelf of Pacific Union International represented the sellers.

Built in 1904 for the prominent industrialist and financier Julius Mack, this timeless residence of uncompromising elegance from the Beaux-Arts era is gracefully situated on the corner of one of the City’s premier residential blocks in the heart of Pacific Heights, one of the most pricey and elegant neighborhoods in the City by the Bay.

With extraordinarily unique architectural features, grand-scale rooms, lovely views of the Bay and City lights, and a wonderful quality of light and openness, this Renaissance Revival-style mansion affords an elegant contemporary lifestyle while enjoying the unforgettable glamour and timeless elegance of another era.

This residence’s many amenities include eight bedrooms, seven baths, two powder rooms, seven fireplaces, two libraries, four offices, sitting room, two terraces, formal dining room, kitchen with separate butler’s pantry, ballroom converted into a giant family/entertainment room, and motor court for six to seven cars parking.

Joel Goodrich of Coldwell Banker holds the listing and this stunning home was also featured in the San Francisco Chronicle.

Cohabitation alert! US Weekly is reporting that ‘The Bachelor’ duo of Ben Flajnik and Courtney Robertson are taking the next step in their relationship – moving in together. The two were spotted hauling boxes into the San Francisco apartment that Ben shares with two roommates in San Francisco’s trendy Marina district.

According to the US Weekly inside source, the engaged duo aren’t shacking up with roommates permanently and are eager to find a great place of their own. The insider said “this arrangement is just temporary… they want to get settled in as soon as possible.”

So, with the San Francisco rental market on fire, they’ll have a lot of competition for a great place. As a matter of fact, San Francisco is one of the only markets in America where it’s cheaper to rent than buy. And with their brief romance and rocky start, these two lovebirds should stick to a lease. You know…just in case.

Here are 5 great San Francisco apartments Ben and Courtney should consider for their next move:

3655 Broderick Street – 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom – $3,400 a month

Very large 1 bedroom in a great location. The building has an elevator (rare in older San Francisco buildings). The particular apartment is a corner unit with a new kitchen with granite counter tops,  stainless steel appliances,  refinished floors, a separate tub/shower, large closets and new windows.

2170 Vallejo Street - 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom – $4,750 a month

Impeccably cared for, this 1200+ square foot condo offers customized luxury at its finest. Perched on the North side of Pacific Heights, 2170 Vallejo is ideal for a stroll down into The Marina and Cow Hollow for dinner, or shopping and nightlife on Fillmore Street. This decadent unit is truly a rare find. Features include: One of 2 units on floor 3 with no connecting walls in a 10-unit building, sunny southern exposure with oversized bay windows, Art Deco period detail with modern remodel, recessed lighting, original refinished hardwood floors, 10-foot beamed ceilings, wood-burning fireplace with carved mantle, sleek custom designer gas kitchen with brushed aluminum cabinetry, conceiled fridge and drawers, granite countertops, outfitted with Gannenau oven, hood and range, vintage tiled bathroom featuring deep tub with shower, custom mirrored cabintry with recessed shelving, abundant closet space with double mirrorred doors, linear entry system, elevator in building, permitted street parking, and laundry room in building.

2374R Vallejo Street – 2 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms – $4,300 a month

This property is located in the exclusive Pacific Height neighborhood, but close to the hustle and bustle of Ben’s favorite haunts. It has been completely updated but retains its vintage character. It has panoramic views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. It has granite counters and stainless steel appliances (gas range). Beautiful hardwood floors throughout. Lots of light. The washer and dryer are inside the unit. It is close to public transportation and within walking distance of Union St., Filmore St., Chestnut St. and Alta Vista Park.

Pixley Street - 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom – $4,000 a month

Top floor, completely remodeled with with old charm and character–the best of both worlds! Gorgeous 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom flat in a quiet, 2 unit building. Newer hardwood floors throughout, high ceilings and lots of windows make the apartment feel open, airy and sunny. Small office desk/nook off the kitchen Almost brand new bathroom with deep, sunken tub. Luxury, eat in kitchen white marble counters, gas oven, dishwasher, ample cabinet and counter space. Overhead lighting throughout and a decorative fireplace in the living room. Rare for San Francisco, a washer and dryer is in-unit. The unit also comes with a shared patio in the back of the building, a storage area in the garage and 2 car tandem parking.

3018 Gough Street - 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom – $3,400 a month

This is the upper unit flat in a 2-unit building. So spacious that it feels like a single family home. Never before rented,  this flat (officially classified as a condo) has a large kitchen with small eating area next to a free standing gas fireplace. There is a separate laundry room at the far end. Off the kitchen is a large dining room with original hardwood floors and built-in hutch. Along side of the dining room through glass French doors is a huge carpeted living room with gas burning fireplace. The two rear bedrooms are side-by-side and both have refinished original hardwood floors. This flat has loads of natural light with a large skylight at the top of the stairs.

Which San Francisco apartment do you think Ben and Courtney should move into?

NFL Hall of Famer Joe Montana is giving all  San Francisco 49er fans a special playoff treat this year: an extra huge price cut off his listed Northern California retreat, Villa Montana. According to Yahoo! Sports, Montana has taken a grand total of $14M off, that’s a 31% discount, and relisted the Calistoga getaway home for $35 million.

Originally listed back in 2009 for $49 million, this home is not limited to just 49er fans. Anyone who enjoys basking in California’s wine country sun, takes pleasure in playing bocce ball in the comfort of their home, and/or fancies riding beautiful horses can also live or vacation in this three bedroom, 3/5 bathroom estate.

Nearly 10,000 square feet and 500 acres of beautiful Calistoga land makes this home to die for. Complete with an olive farm, full bocce ball and basketball court, an equestrian stable, an exquisite pool and spa, and breathtaking mountain views, you won’t have a problem turning the TV off in this home. (Unless, of course it’s the NFL champion playoff games.)

The home also includes a private pond, shooting range and guest house.

Famed venture capitalist Brook Byers, a partner at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, and his wife Shawn are selling a stunning brick mansion in San Francisco, California for $12,000,000. According to the Wall Street Journal, the home was originally shopped in mid-2011 as a private listing with a $15,000,000 price tag. Without any interested parties, the Byers’ chopped $3,000,000 off the asking price and listed the property publicly.

Byers made his fortune as a VC Silicon Valley investor in such companies as Amazon, Google and Zynga, and purchased this home in 1985 for $1,500,000. Presidio Heights is an esteemed neighborhood and popular among tech and financial-industry moguls. Just two short blocks away from Byers’ Washington Street home, Zynga CEO Mark Pincus is also selling a home, with a $8,900,000 asking price.

The Byers’ grand Presidio Heights residence built in 1910 as a wedding gift to the daughter of the Coors beer family. With four impressive levels, the residence boasts 8 bedrooms, 6 full and 2 half bathrooms. The home also has multiple family rooms, a media room, an expansive deck, a small home office, wine room, music room and lots of storage. The fully detached home (a rarity in San Francisco) has a 3-car garage, plus additional parking. The expansive home has incredible views of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay and the Presidio from almost every room.

Mark Pincus is on the move. The internet super-entreprenuer recently had not one, but two high-priced homes on the market in San Francisco. We recently put the spotlight on the $8,900,000 mansion Pincus and his wife heaved onto the market in the Presidio Heights neighborhood. To much less fanfare, the Pincus’ quietly listed their other property in San Francisco’s Cole Valley neighborhood, and now it’s being reported that the home has a buyer. Like the other property, the Cole Valley home is highly-stylized and decorated to the max, a given since Marc’s wife Alison is co-founder of decor marketplace One Kings Lane.

This second Pincus home was first listed in late September 2011 at $2,189,000 and endured a price chop in early November to $1,970,000. Property records indicate that the Pincus’ will likely take a substantial loss on the home. They bought the house in August 2005 for $2,850,000. If they get the full asking price from the buyers who are currently under contract to purchase the property, that’s still an $880,000 loss before you even count carrying costs, renovation expenses and real estate fees. With Zynga’s recent IPO, we suspect Marc may be able to cover the losses.

What will the buyers get? Current listing information shows that the home has a total of 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms in 2,875 square feet. Set on a lovely and peaceful block just a few minute walk to the shops of Cole Street, this home has been designed for large scale engagements in an impactful and creative atmosphere. The main level of the home features a modern, open-plan kitchen that flows into the formal dining area with dramatic black and white accents. Nearby, the adjacent main entertaining room features expansive open spaces punctuated by a modern forest motif along the southern wall that floats past a frost shrouded staircase. The upper level master suite features panoramic city and Golden Gate Bridge views and is washed with light from three sides. Off the main level, a walk out deck overlooks the redwood covered yard below with lush foliage.

Zynga founder and CEO Mark Pincus‘ four-level mansion in the prestigious Presidio Heights neighborhood of San Francisco has just hit the market for $8,900,000. Originally reported by The Business Insider, the gaming mogul and his wife are selling the stunningly well-decorated home for undisclosed reasons. After flipping through the listing photos, you can see that home’s interior decor is a pseudo-advertisement for One Kings Lane, the flash home decor sale site cofounded by Pincus’ wife, Alison. Bright colors, chic accents and delightful surprises define this home and make it one of the most covetable properties currently on the market in San Francisco.

The grand, livable and well-decorated modern home has 6-bedrooms and 6.5-bathrooms and was built on an extra-wide lot. It offers both a bold street presence and pleasing scale, but is intentionally pulled back from the street for privacy. The steps up to the house bring you to a beautiful courtyard and striking entrance. Extremely balanced and well-appointed, all the public rooms on the main level connect, ideal for flow and entertainment. The kitchen includes a unique but functional family room area. The kitchen morphs from great to truly magnificent as soon as you set your eyes on the large doors that open onto the tranquil grass garden. The second level features four bedrooms, including the master suite. There is a full floor penthouse level with a “grand master,” featuring a spa-like bathroom, terrace and office. The lower level has an au pair suite and media room/large play room.

For those who have been following Mark’s career, it’s no surprise he owns a home this big and beautiful. Zynga and Pincus are on a major roll, launching successful game after successful game, acquiring companies left and right, reporting record profits, and filing for an IPO. Zynga is rumored to be a publicly-traded company before the end of the year.