As chic as Hollywood’s shiny, new glass-and-steel mansions might be, it’s hard to beat the stately Spanish Colonial Revivals of the 1920s and 1930s.

And if your tastes tend in that direction, you’re in luck—a Pasadena, CA, landmark, designed by California architect Wallace Neff, just landed on the market for $10.8 million.

“The 1920s was the Golden Age for Southern California architecture and an era of unprecedented wealth, where innumerable opulent mansions were built in spectacular locations by celebrated architects, such as Wallace Neff,” explains listing agent Carol Chua, a Coldwell Banker global luxury property specialist affiliated with the Pasadena office of Coldwell Banker Realty.

She’s referring to the era’s major power players, who flocked to sunny Southern California to build lavish estates.

“The Charles H. Thorne House is a prime example of a Wallace Neff masterpiece, commissioned in 1928 for the chairman of retail giant Montgomery Ward,” says Chua. “On a private, gated lane in the exclusive Los Altos neighborhood, this magnificent residence sits among towering Italian stone pines, across from the prestigious Annandale Golf Club and only minutes to downtown Los Angeles and the studios.”

Preserved property

The current owners adored their digs for over 50 years, mindfully restoring it along the way. They were careful to preserve its signature features, such as the romantic central courtyard with brilliant, flowering bougainvillea; the lush green lawn; and the sparkling Spanish fountain.

Ornate details

Neff is said to have been inspired by Mission San Juan Capistrano when he built the home, incorporating thick, arched walls; intricate grillwork; carved doors; ornate fixtures; and patterned tiles. He also appreciated the view and included panoramic windows overlooking the entire San Gabriel Valley, the nearby mountains, and the Arroyo Seco.

The property has a collective 10 bedrooms, 12 baths, and 10,082 square feet, all on a distinctive, 1.7-acre knoll. That includes an independent apartment above the four-car garage.

There are three original fireplaces in the home, all uniquely designed. One of them is in the living room, which also has soaring, 20-foot, beamed ceilings. Another of the standout fireplaces is tucked into a corner in one of two primary suites.

The bright, sunny kitchen with black-and-white, checkered flooring features a new dining island and top-of-the-line appliances. A well-organized butler’s pantry rounds out the cook space.

Additional rooms include a summer kitchen, library, an office, a 1,755-square-foot basement, and a picturesque gallery overlooking the courtyard.

Often referred to as the original “architect to the stars,” Neff designed the legendary “Pickfair” mansion for Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford. Since then, his unmistakable Spanish- and Mediterranean-style homes have been the choice of celebrities including Bob Newhart, Madonna, Diane Keaton, and Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston, among others.

The post Old Hollywood Glam Alert: Wallace Neff-Designed Spanish Colonial in Pasadena Hits the Market for $10.8M appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.