Combining majestic volume with a host of captivating early-20th-century details, this enchanting 5,850-square-foot residence pays homage to the provenance of its prestigious Presidio Terrace address.
Steps from its namesake park, San Francisco’s exclusive Presidio Terrace enclave is a rarity in a city widely known for sophisticated individuality. This small master-planned residential community set on an idyllic elliptical cul-de-sac was inspired by the likes of New York’s Tuxedo Park and other “garden cities” and was launched in 1905. Ultimately, this street became home to 36 magnificent properties in a variety of architectural styles, from Beaux-Arts and Italian Renaissance to Mission and Tudor Revival. In the ensuing decades, Presidio Terrace drew luminaries and distinguished figures in government, business, philanthropy, and the arts, and that allure has continued well into the 21st century.
San Francisco, California | Mary Lou Castellanos, Sotheby’s International Realty – San Francisco Brokerage
Combining majestic volume with a host of striking architectural details, this enchanting residence pays homage to its neighborhood’s provenance, displaying intricate millwork, richly hued wood floors, handsome paneling, a plethora of windows, arched fanlights, ornate leaded glass, multiple fireplaces with carved stone mantels, and ceiling tracery that bring to mind an era of classical elegance and glamour. Its 5,850-square-foot interiors accommodate grand gatherings with ease while offering five peaceful bedrooms secluded on one private level.
Architect George A. Schastey Jr., who studied at the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, arrived in San Francisco in 1907 and brought an Old World refinement to numerous projects, among them the renovation of the Fairmont Hotel and an array of new private residences—including this 1910 home. While painstaking care and maintenance have introduced modern comforts and conveniences, period details continue to imbue the estate with an atmosphere of bygone grace.
Creating a fittingly regal introduction are dual sweeping stairways that rise to a terrace and a semicircular portico with ionic columns—the first hint of Schastey’s affinity for dignified classical elements. A sitting area backed by elaborately detailed woodwork serves as a foyer, giving way to the central staircase as well as formal living and dining rooms—each with its own fireplace. A chic contemporary sensibility is readily apparent in the streamlined cook’s kitchen—which is accompanied by a scullery and a whimsically colorful breakfast room—a relaxed family room, and the primary bath, with its stone surfaces, a luxurious shower, and a soaking tub. Elsewhere, wainscotting, claw-foot tubs, and antique vanities retain vintage charm.
The lower level—which currently includes abundant storage, a full bath, a powder room, a recreation room, and garage space—affords ample opportunities for expansion. Just outside, the grounds—a double lot occupying roughly a third of an acre—feature meticulously manicured shrubs, lawn, and gardens along with a secluded rear terrace and august yew trees. The location at the southern end of the neighborhood’s inner circle is a prominent position among a collection of equally impressive, stately residences that have contributed to Presidio Terrace’s city-wide esteem.
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