Pasadena sits about 10 miles north of downtown Los Angeles and boasts its fair share of grand estates. Many date to the early 20th century, when moguls made their home in the area.

However, a more modern home rivals the old-money mansions—both in size and price. It’s on the market for $39.8 million, and you can now become the lord or lady of the priciest home in Pasadena.

Built in 1991 in the French Beaux-Arts style, the exterior is a regal sight. Richard Landry, architect to the stars, poured his imagination and a wealth of opulent flourishes into the mansion.

The stately facade features such classical details as Corinthian columns and numerous balustrades and balconies.

However, the interior will need a bit of work. The home is marketed as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for new owners to complete the interior of Pasadena’s finest estate.”

As offered, the living space measures a massive 31,415 square feet and can contain up to 16 bedrooms (14 in the main house and two in the guesthouse), as well as 19 bathrooms. The final configuration will be up to the deep-pocketed buyer.

The seller intends to let the buyers customize everything to their own specifications. If you’re going to invest in a property of this size and importance, you’ll want a say in the final product.

Currently, the mansion has four wings, all accessed via a two-story formal foyer with oversized windows and a dramatic staircase.

The lower west wing was designed to accommodate hundreds of guests, with a central gallery, lounge room, and a formal living room. A grand ballroom features a paneled ceiling and French doors that form a semicircle and open onto an enclosed balcony.

The lower east wing is meant for both guests and residents. It features a gallery, library, office, and a formal dining room. It’s also where you’ll find a massive kitchen with two breakfast areas, a walk-in pantry, and two butler’s pantries. The elevator is located in this wing.

The upper east wing contains a media room and more en suite bedrooms.

This is also where you’ll find the massive master suite, which includes a sitting room and dual closets and bathrooms. The suite opens to a terrace with a stone balcony and lovely views of the gardens.

The upper west wing is devoted to additional bedrooms and sitting rooms, many with French doors and balconies with wrought-iron and gold-leaf railings.

Then there’s the basement, where you’ll find the servants’ quarters with three en suite bedrooms, a security vault, an enormous laundry room, plus a gym and indoor spa.

The spa consists of an indoor resistance pool, spa, grotto, steam room, massage lounge, and sauna. Below is a subterranean eight-car garage.

As is, the investment is in the exterior structure and the grounds, which are lush, lavish, and luxurious. While most homes in the area sit on half-acre lots, this one spans an impressive 4.5 acres, with every square inch exquisitely manicured.

The grounds feature a European garden with topiary structures and imported statuary. They include a pond with a bridge and waterfall, walkways, bamboo-covered arbors, a koi pond, water gardens, and a tennis court. You’ll find an elaborate outdoor pool with spa, as well as many full-grown fruit trees.

For a mogul in search of a home with great bones and plenty of options for customization, this Pasadena mansion presents an intriguing option. We recommending using the Euro-inspired bones of this huge home to turn this Landry-designed mansion into a luxurious SoCal showpiece.

Sabrina Wu of Compass and Bryce Lowe, Kirby Gillon, and Aaron Kirman of Aaron Kirman Group at Compass have the listing.

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