HERBST MANOR

THE CROWN JEWEL OF PACIFIC HEIGHTS

A stunning showpiece of old world craftsmanship, Herbst Manor is a remarkable Georgian mansion considered one of the most beautiful estates in San Francisco history. Built in 1899 by the renowned architect, Ernest Coxhead, the mansion was constructed with the finest materials and designed to take advantage of the flat, hilltop exposure and the glorious, sweeping views. Since 1899, only three families have called this historic manor home.

The truly grand design boasts five bedrooms including the phenomenal master bedroom suite that comprises the east wing and includes a dressing room with fireplace. Architecturally stunning rooms include the foyer with grand staircase, the historically significant French salon, the formal drawing room, and the dining room with gold-gilded coffered ceiling and fireplace. The kitchen is bright and has a breakfast room, butler’s pantry and patio. The third floor penthouse is perfect for unsurpassed entertaining with its built-in bar, private terrace, and wrap-around balcony offering stunning views of the Bay, Alcatraz, and beyond.  

A significant architectural gem with a distinguished place in history, Herbst Manor is one of San Francisco’s most iconic mansions making this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Main Level: Since 1899, painstaking work has been done on this mansion to keep it true to the original design.  This is a true Georgian Mansion and its craftsmanship is second to none.

As you enter the mansion, you pass through custom etched glass front doors. This leads to the elegant reception foyer crowned by a breath-taking chandelier.  Architectural marvels are at every turn, from spectacular hardwood floors to elegant light fixtures from the original owners.

Off of the foyer is the French salon, called the Versailles room. This enchanting room is an historic parlor imported from France. One of the rare remaining true French salons, one can find an installation of a similar salon at the Legion of Honor Fine Arts Museum in San Francisco. While the museum’s salon is stripped of the original color, The Herbst Manor's salon has the original white-washed panels with gold trim.  There are just a handful of original French parlors outside a museum setting. The salon has a stunning marble fireplace and French doors to the garden.

Across from the Versailles room is the formal drawing room. This spacious formal living room has a fireplace and is bright with windows. The drawing room, as well as all the other non-wood paneled rooms in the mansion, was recently repainted to restore the glory of the mansion. The drawing room ceiling is adorned with magnificent gold detailing which, along with the intricate crown molding, is striking in its elegance.

The grand dining room has a gorgeous gold-gilded coffered ceiling and beautiful herringbone hardwood floors.  The dining room features a large view window and a breathtaking crystal chandelier. A dramatic marble fireplace completes this magnificent room.

A hidden door in the dining room leads to the butler's pantry with warming oven, storage, prep sink, and a china display & storage area. The kitchen is bright and spacious and is perfect for entertaining. Featuring new appliances, the kitchen has a large breakfast table area. The kitchen opens to a delightful walled patio with a private service entrance.

This level is complete with an elegant powder room.

Second Level:  Near the top of the grand staircase is an astonishing pencil drawing of the Palace of Fine Arts.  It was drawn by the manor's third owner, Mrs. Lee Herbst Gruhn.  It took her three years to draw this masterpiece, which was unveiled by San Francisco Mayor Joseph Alioto in 1970 during a party attended by San Francisco dignitaries including Cyril Magnin, Herb Caen and Senator Dianne Feinstein, among many others. 

Continuing through the home, all the hardwood floors have been refinished to bring out the original luster and the grand patterns throughout the mansion.  Most rooms in the mansion have their own unique pattern:  herringbone, cross-pattern mini-stick, wide planks attached with bow-ties, even parquet patterns. Each room is distinctive and captures a by-gone era.

The master suite occupies the entire east wing. The bedroom is spacious and has a fireplace plus a balcony overlooking Divisadero.  Adjacent to the master bathroom is a private dressing room, a luxurious room with a fireplace and mirrored wardrobes.

The second bedroom is lovely and includes stunning hardwood floors, custom shoe closets, a walk-in closet with ample storage and a private bathroom ensuite. 

The third bedroom features a classic cathedral ceiling, an antique golden chandelier, fireplace and many windows which let in San Francisco's golden light.

The family room/library is a large space with warm wood-paneled walls, an amazing coffered ceiling and hardwood floors with bowtie detailing.  This room also features a marble fireplace and a hidden wall panel that leads to a storage room.

Third Level: This penthouse level has a marvelous pentroom for exceptional entertaining complete with built-in bar and living room. Two of the walls are encased in glass to take advantage of the stunning views of the City.  The top level includes a private breakfast terrace as well as a separate outdoor wrap-around balcony that offers a bird's eye, sweeping view of most districts in the City - from Noe Valley to downtown to a stunning view of Alcatraz, Angel Island and the Bay.

This level has two additional bedrooms and a luxurious and dramatically mirrored split full bath.

Additional space:

Lower Level: The lower utility level has two large storage rooms, laundry room, and full bath.

Garage: This mansion features a large garage with parking for two cars, side by side. The roof of the garage is on level with the landscaped grounds and serves as an ideal space for tented outdoor events.

Herbst Manor: A Pacific Heights Treasure

The mansion was built in 1899 by Ernest Coxhead, a most renowned architect in California whose papers are archived at the University of California, Berkeley.

Mrs. Sarah Spooner approached Mr. Coxhead in 1899 to build her the finest Georgian mansion in San Francisco.  Sarah Spooner, who had recently arrived in San Francisco from Philadelphia, was an art collector and her treasures were displayed in the Palace of Fine Arts at San Francisco’s 1915 Pan-Pacific Exposition.  Mr. Coxhead accepted the challenge, and no expense was spared. He hired only the best European craftsmen, who imported the finest materials from around the world. An incredible array of Mrs. Spooner's artwork hung throughout the home for the few years she was in residence.

Matilda and Herman Shainwald took ownership just before the 1906 earthquake and fire. Shainwald was head of a large real estate company Shainwald Buckbee, which later evolved into the prominent Buckbee Thorne and Co. In 1914, the property came into the hands of John A. McGregor.

It remained in that family until 1967, after which it became the home to Adrian Herbst Gruhn and his wife, Lee Herbst Gruhn. Lee Herbst Gruhn, a very talented artist, singer, and actress, was an incredible woman who impacted the lives of many in San Francisco. At the top of the main staircase is a beautiful pencil drawing of the the Palace of Fine Arts by Mrs. Herbst Gruhn. This lovely piece of art was unveiled by San Francisco Mayor Joseph Alioto in 1970 during a party attended by prominent San Francisco dignitaries including Cyril Magnin, Herb Caen and Senator Dianne Feinstein, among many others. 

The mansion is not only distinguished for its place in history but for its grand design and stunning old world craftsmanship.

Pacific Heights

Rising from the Marina and running along an east-west ridge between the Presidio and Van Ness avenue, the neighborhood of Pacific Heights delivers commanding views of the San Francisco Bay and the city below. When Hollywood wants to film a chase scene, Pacific Heights is where they come for cinematic thrills.

Some of the oldest, grandest, and largest homes in the city can be found in Pacific Heights which features ample stock of Victorians, Edwardians, Mission Revival and homes in the style of French Chateaus. This is an affluent neighborhood, home to large, quiet consulates of Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Russia. Some of these former baronial mansions now serve as elite private schools. These include San Francisco High School, Drew School, Town School For Boys, Convent of the Sacred Heart (in the former Flood Mansion), and Stuart Hall High School.

Pacific Heights is home to gorgeous parks and playgrounds, and bounded by the Presidio, offers easy access to open space, and miles of hiking, running and biking. The main shopping district can be found on Fillmore Street, which runs north and south through Pacific Heights. Some of the chicest boutiques, choicest restaurants, one of a kind floral arrangements, patisseries, and designer yogurt can be found on Fillmore Street.

Showings by Private Appointment only:
Contact Cia Townsend - 415.608.1340
or John Townsend - 415.601.2227