Bragging rights, and then some
Myron Hunt designed this grand Colonial Revival villa in 1916 in Pasadena’s Oak Knoll neighborhood, described in The Times’ stories of the day as “the Crown City’s beautiful and fashionable suburb,” replete with paved streets and “ornamental electric lights on classic bronze pillars.”
Even if you don’t recognize the Pasadena architect’s name, you’ve probably seen or been in one of his many local landmarks. During a career that spanned nearly half a century, Hunt designed the Hollywood Bowl, the Ambassador Hotel and the Rose Bowl and was involved in the design of Caltech, Occidental College, Pomona College, the Pasadena Public Library, the Malaga Cove Library in Palos Verdes Estates and railroad tycoon Henry Huntington’s mansion -- built in 1911, hailed at that time as the finest house in Southern California and today home to a gallery at the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino.
Famous for his attention to detail, Hunt demonstrated the range of his vision with homes designed in English Manor, Beaux-Arts, Mediterranean and Neoclassical styles. He designed houses in Hollywood, Los Feliz, Montecito and Pasadena, including this historic two-story estate known as Knoll House, which was subsequently expanded by architect Gordon Kaufmann.
With more than 14,000 square feet, this house easily sleeps a dozen-plus with its nine bedrooms and bathrooms, some originally intended for the staff needed to maintain the elegant hardwood and marble floors, the wall-to-wall carpeting, the classic moldings, the chandelier, the sconces, the many windows and French doors. Calming gardens, romantic terraces and sprawling lawns spread over nearly 2 1/2 lushly landscaped acres.
An underground passage and a garden path lead to a two-story art gallery where dramatic features include an atrium topped by a domed skylight.
The 23,000-square-foot building, which was designed by architects Thornton Ladd and John Kelsey and built in 1973, includes a state-of-the-art theater and living quarters.
About this house: The Knoll House is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
Asking price: $24.5 million.
Size: About 37,000 square feet in the house and art gallery.
Features: There is a library, a family room, a pub with a wet bar, a game room, a wine cellar and a lounge, with fireplaces in the den, family room, living room and master bedroom. The kitchen has been updated and has a large center island. The gallery and the home have elevators. The swimming pool has a pool house and a garden pavilion.
Where: Pasadena
Listing agents: Pat Lile, (626) 356-8121, and Carol Chua, (626) 844-2222, both of Coldwell Banker Previews International in Pasadena.
gayle.pollard-terry@latimes.com
To submit a candidate for Home of the Week, please send color interior and exterior photos with caption information on a CD and a description of the house to Ruth Ryon, Real Estate Section, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA
90012. Send questions to homeoftheweek@latimes.com.
