VILLA BELVEDERE

Villa Belvedere is a brand-new construction luxury estate on the San Francisco Bay and embodies elegant waterfront living with its stunning views. At approximately 15,500 square feet and on 1.14 acre double lot, the estate is the finest, newest and largest home in Belvedere. It incorporates wrap-around multi-level decks and expansive spaces for indoor and outdoor living. A sophisticated 50 foot long gallery with floor-to-ceiling windows includes a butler's pantry and a catering kitchen for elegant entertaining. Seven en suite bedrooms, 9 full and 2 half baths, a luxurious master bedroom suite in its own wing, a state-of-the-art gourmet kitchen with adjacent family room, a home theater, a temperature controlled 2,000 bottle wine cellar with tasting vault, gym with sauna and steam room, an elevator to all three levels, a 50-ft pool with spa and poolside cabana, three car garage and gated driveway with cobble stone motor court for parking of 15+ cars.

This rare site for the 41st Marin Designer's Showcase, Villa Belvedere was transformed by 24 of the most well-known design firms in the San Francisco Bay Area, including Suzanne Tucker of Tucker and Marks, Candace Barnes, David Kensington, Cecile Starin, and Stephen Suzman. The Belvedere location features 180 degree views of the San Francisco bay, from the Golden Gate and to the Bay Bridge. This world-class home and the inspirational work of Showcase designers was open to the public February 1-26, 2012 and is now closed. All proceeds from this Showcase benefit the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership.

This solar-powered Smart House incorporates integrated technology which can engage the house remotely by cell phone and over the web, a more efficient way to manage energy. The project will be GreenPoint Rated by the nonprofit, Build It Green. Showcase designers will continue sustainable practices incorporating reuse methods, energy saving materials, and nontoxic paints. A living roof tops the three-bay garage.

The Belvedere site comes with an interesting history. Its original home was built in the 1930s for Angus MacDonald, President of Southern Pacific Railroad. Over the years, it has had several owners including Verna Harrah, the widow of Bill Harrah of Harrah's Hotel and Casinos and Jerry Ganz, the owner of Gateways Industry, the manufacture of the retractable seatbelt. The house was demolished in 1986 by Ganz. The current owner bought the property and with architect Sandy Walker designed the new estate. It took nearly 30 years for a new home to be designed, approved and built on this spectacular site. And it is the first Marin Showcase in Belvedere since 1969.

The Marin Designer Showcase event is now closed. The estate is available for showings by calling Olivia Decker, 415-435-1600.