The Bay Area estate dubbed the 'Western White House' has been sold for $23 million as confirmed by a listing on Zillow and a recent article by the San Francisco Chronicle. The property at 401 El Cerrito Ave. in Hillsborough initially hit the market with a $38.9 million price tag and after a series of reductions and a brief period at auction, settled at the lower sale price.
Commissioned in 1930 by George Hearst, son of William Randolph Hearst, and designed by architect Julia Morgan, the mansion features a striking resemblance to the White House, including an Oval Office replica. The expansive home covers 24,350 square feet, encompassing 11 bedrooms, 14 bathrooms, a fitness room, a wine cellar, and a home theater. The luxurious abode, a marriage of Neoclassical Georgian architecture and modern amenities, was initially built as a Swiss chalet in 1878 before its transformation by Hearst.
Despite its notable features and storied history, which includes a possible offer from John Lennon and Yoko Ono, the estate faced several price reductions. The Zillow listing shows a reduction from $29,995,000 in March to $23,000,000 at the time of sale in October. The home was purchased for $15 million in 2022 and later underwent extensive renovations by the previous owner before being placed back on the market.
Alex Buljan of Compass, who listed the property, expressed satisfaction, stating via the San Francisco Chronicle that the historic estate "found the special buyer that it deserves." Tucked away in three acres of Lower South Hillsborough, the residence promises discretion and privacy. Though grand and prominent from the facade, it is shielded from the public eye by hedges and gates, a detail highlighted when the property was first listed.
