Pasadena Dreaming | Most Expensive Luxury Homes for Sale

2016 has been a good year for sellers in real estate, with housing prices reaching an all time high since the last housing bubble, which led up to the 2008 crash. This year we saw the infamous Holmby Hills Playboy Mansion hit the market as the most expensive home in the U.S., listed for sale at $200 Million, which recently sold and closed escrow with a buyer.

Although Pasadena doesn’t currently offer any 5 acre Mega-Mansions for sale at the moment, we have our fair share of luxury homes available for purchase at a somewhat hefty price tag, one of which was this year’s Pasadena Showcase House.

This gracious 1910 estate in the Oak Knoll neighborhood has been the Pasadena Showcase House of Design twice, both this year and in 1993. Designed by Fernand Parmentier, a leading champion of the Arts and Crafts movement, it has many Craftsman elements, from horizontal bands of windows to Honduran mahogany beams and moldings. A foyer hearth with built-in settle, a grand salon ceiling of intricately carved plaster and a stunning fireplace surround of green Grueby tile add to the rich ambience. The completely remodeled Craftsman style kitchen features apron-front sinks and an island with statuary Grigio marble counter. The master bath has a floating glass shower stall sized for two. A large carriage house now serves as a guest home. The expansive grounds include a swimming pool, wisteria arbor, koi pond, and outdoor kitchen with wood-fired pizza oven. Listed with John Aaroe Group

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Designed by the renowned Southern CA architectural firm of Marston, Van Pelt & Maybury, this stunning Italian Revival estate is prominently sited high on the West bank of the Arroyo Seco, offering panoramic views of the Colorado Street bridge, Federal Court House with a San Gabriel mountains backdrop! A fifty foot gallery reception hall welcomes you to incredible high ceilings and rooms of enormous scale. Batchelder tile flooring and expansive hardwood floors lead you to rooms of floor-to-ceiling windows and French doors to surrounding patios and gardens. The reception hall leads to an intimate courtyard and loggia, connecting the North and South wings of the residence. Walnut coffered ceilings are featured in both the massive living room and dining room. The library features a masterfully carved, corner cast stone fireplace, dramatic arched windows and built-in bookcases. The dining room offers dramatic Arroyo views through high-arched windows and an intricately carved fireplace mantel. The main staircase features cast stone Italian Revival columns and recessed arched leaded windows lead you to the private bedroom suites on the second level. The lower level has the flexibility of being an extend family quarters with kitchen, fireplace and entrance. Listed with Dilbeck Real Estate

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Gated French Chateau inspired estate nestled in a setting with commanding views of the Arroyo Seco, Annandale Golf Course and downtown Los Angeles. This stunning property was designed by noted architects Marston & Maybury and built concurrently with the same materials and craftsmen as the famed St Andrews Church in Pasadena. Filled with timeless architectural details including imported Italian marble, rich woods, ornate plaster details and crystal chandeliers, all built with Old World craftsmanship unparalleled in today’s construction. Enjoy gracious living in a warm and welcoming home featuring a thoughtful floor plan with spacious rooms appropriate for formal events and daily family life. Over two and half acres of vast lawns, flagstone terraces, spacious gardens and a stone BBQ house provide the perfect setting for entertaining on a grand scale. Listed with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

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Opportunities like this rarely present themselves.An architectural connoisseur’s dream designed bynoted Architect John Galbraith, this Mid Century Modern estate boasts8,500sq. ft. of combined living space on nine parcels totaling 12+ acres (Note: possible lot split to split, buyer to verify requirements with the county building department and HOA). In addition to the main house there is a 2500 sq.ft. pool house with sunken living room, fireplace, kitchen, bathroom with full size sauna and dressing area. Completely private, gated and secluded with spectacular views of Los Angeles to Century City and beyond. With your own private tennis court, golf putting green and oversized swimming pool this property is resort style living at its finest. Shown by appointment to qualified buyers. Listed with Keller Williams Realty

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