241 Polhemus Avenue,
Atherton
This magnificent Mediterranean Revival estate has been meticulously preserved and enhanced through a comprehensive renovation and expansion, transforming it into a luxurious modern residence. The result is a home perfectly designed for lavish entertaining and comfortable everyday living. Grand-scaled rooms are highlighted by intricate moldings and details that reflect a deep respect for the circa 1922 heritage. Elaborate columns, European fireplaces, herringbone and parquet wood floors, and signature Palladian-style arched windows combine for architectural elegance. Spanning three levels, the home offers an array of amenities, including a luxurious primary suite with a steam room and exceptional couture closet space, a wine cellar for the most discerning sommelier, and an unparalleled garage for up to 12 cars. Additional features include a 10-seat theater, a fitness center, plus a library and adjoining billiards room with a pub-style bar. Personal accommodations are extensive, with six bedroom suites in the main residence and a guest house with two bedrooms and an office. The impeccably maintained grounds boast a pool, spa, outdoor kitchen, and vast stretches of lawn dotted with heritage trees all on 1.45 acres. With a sought-after central Atherton address and seclusion from the street, this timeless masterpiece is truly a treasure on the San Francisco Peninsula.
At a Glance
- Approximately 1.45 level acres
- Premier west Atherton location
- Circa 1922 Mediterranean Revival estate luxuriously renovated and expanded in 2001
- 6 bedrooms, 7 full baths, and 2 half-baths in the three-story main residence
- Guest house with office, bedroom, bath, and bedroom with en suite bath
- Finished underground 12-car garage
- Approximately 15,506 total square feet
- Main home: 10,772 sq ft
- First floor: 4,863 sq ft
- Second floor: 4,629 sq ft
- Lower level: 1,280 sq ft
- Garage: 3,638 sq ft
- Guest house: 1,096 sq ft
- Main home: 10,772 sq ft
- Billiards room, bar, library, office, recreation room, 10-seat theater, fitness center, and wine cellar with tasting room
- Pool, separate spa, vast level lawn, parterre rose garden, and heritage trees
- Excellent Las Lomitas schools
Co-listed with Tara Dollinger, DPM Property Management
650.766.2877
taradollinger01@gmail.com
License# 02147788
Details of the Home
Entrance
Set back from the street beyond a gated circular driveway; the exterior is classic Mediterranean Revival, dating back to circa 1922; Renaissance and Baroque details adorn the front portico with twisted fluted columns and an elaborately decorated pediment with scrollwork and floral motifs
Foyer
Arched double doors of iron and glass open to a large receiving area with dramatic coffered ceiling with recessed hexagonal patterns meticulously framed with detailed moldings; the limestone floor has a contrasting decorative inlaid feature strip; a cascading limestone staircase sweeps to the upper level framed in iron, matching the lantern-style chandelier
Living Room & Sun Room
Arched entrance supported by twisted fluted columns; espresso-hued herringbone wood floors beneath a beamed coffered ceiling with elaborate detail and chandelier; arched windows span two walls and an arched opening enters the sun/music room turret outlined with 7 tall windows; a masonry gas fireplace is surrounded with a vintage carved stone mantelpiece
Formal Dining Room
Carved double doors with twisted rope moldings; detailed scrolled ceiling and crown moldings with matching medallion showcasing a stunning rock crystal chandelier; four arched windows outline the room; floors in espresso-hued hardwood in herringbone pattern
Library
Double arched doors in the living room enter the library entirely finished in mahogany with detailed coffered ceiling, solid marble gas fireplace, arched windows, and glass doors to the parterre garden; parquet wood floor
Billiards Room & Bar
Marble columns separate the library from this room, also accessible from the foyer; mahogany finishes and coffered ceiling match the library; a hidden door conceals a spiral staircase to the lower wine cellar; a pub-style bar is topped in marble and outlined with mirror-backed glass shelves; parquet wood floor
Family Room
Double door entry from the foyer; varnished hand-hewn hardwood floors, all-wood coffered ceiling with intricately carved beams, and six sets of double glass doors with arched transoms; a masonry fireplace is outlined in a vintage stone mantelpiece
Kitchen, Casual Dining Room & Office
Step up from the family room to this very spacious kitchen with matching ceiling and floors, casual dining area with three sets of double glass doors with arched transoms, and adjoining office with wraparound cabinetry and three workstations; the kitchen has soft white cabinetry, including island with counter seating, all topped in Calacatta marble with full-height backsplashes
Appliances
Wolf gas range with 6 burners, double griddle, 2 full ovens, and pot filler; Dacor microwave; 2 Miele dishwashers; Sub-Zero refrigerator and separate freezer, each with 2 drawers; second Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer
Upstairs Primary Bedroom Suite & Fitness Center
Spacious bedroom has carpet, elaborate crown moldings and up-lit ceiling dome, adjoining sitting room in the turret, and two tremendous couture closet spaces, each with island and concealed wardrobe storage; the all marble and mosaic bath has a circular leaded glass skylight and two balconettes; separate hand-painted vanities with onyx sinks, elevated tub beneath a hand-painted mural in the all marble walls, shower for two, steam room, and private bidet/commode room; separate fitness center with custom flooring, mirrored wall, and balcony
Upstairs Bedroom Suites
Four suites, three with carpet and one with hardwood floor, walk-in closet, and beautifully appointed en suite bath (one with shower, two with tub and overhead shower, and one with tub and separate shower)
Lower-Level Recreation Room
Spacious carpeted room with coffered ceiling and extensive built-in cabinetry
Lower-Level Theater
Detailed hand-painted and coffered ceiling, sconce lighting between pilasters, carpet, tiered seating for 10, plus projection system and cinema screen
Lower-Level Wine Cellar
Spacious tasting room with arched iron and glass doors to a European wine cellar with hand-painted wall mural, stone walls, and custom furniture-style wine cabinetry
Lower-Level Bath and Bedroom Suite
All marble bath with frameless glass shower serves the lower level; bedroom suite has a private patio with driveway access and en suite marble bath with tub and overhead shower
Guest House
Arched iron and glass doors; living room with parquet tiled floor, vaulted ceiling, and elevated fireplace; kitchenette with sink; carpeted office with outside entrance and extensive built-in cabinetry; tumbled marble bath with jetted tub and overhead shower and LG washer and dryer; carpeted bedroom with banquette; bedroom suite with outside entrance, walk-in closet, and bath with frameless-glass shower
The Grounds
- Swimming pool framed at one end by Canary palms
- Spacious covered poolside terrace, off the kitchen and family room, outlined with Corinthian columns
- Built-in barbecue center with refrigerator, icemaker, and sink
- Recessed in-ground spa near the guest house
- Parterre rose garden with vintage fountain
- Fireplace terrace
- Vast level lawn wraps around the property
- Heritage trees include oaks, magnolia, and Canary palms
Other Features
- Formal powder room with gilded and marble vanity
- Half bath convenient to the billiards room and family room
- Upstairs landing with three sets of glass doors and arched transoms opening to the front balcony
- Upstairs laundry room with sink, Maytag washer and dryer, and Electrolux washer and dryer
- Ivy-covered wall along the driveway to the underground gated 12-car garage finished with paver stone flooring, beamed and coffered ceiling, and three octagon-shaped leaded glass skylights
- Electronic-gated driveway
- Motorized blinds on most windows
- Secondary rear staircase
- Walk-up attic storage