A house that hasn’t sold in 14 years

December 12, 2013

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‘Cotswold style’ mansion dramatically reduced in price after 14 years on the market

Americans love all things British and they especially love to replicate our architecture. In the Northern Californian town of Hillsborough, a fine example is a 35,000 square foot mansion named The Tobin Clark Estate.

Bought by a businessman and Republican donor named Sam J. Bamieh in 1992 for £2 million ($3.2 million) and also known as the “House-On-Hill”, the property has been described as “one of the most spectacular residences ever created”. The “Cotswold Tudor” house, which stands in 5.9 acres, was built to the designs of David Adler in 1931 for the Hibernia bank heiress Celia Tobin Clark and has undergone a £11.7 million ($19 million) renovation during the current owner’s tenure.

An aerial shot of The Tobin Clark Estate

The Tobin Clark Estate, 40 Verbalee Lane, Hillsborough, California, CA 90410: The building could as easily be found in the Cotswolds as California

On the market sporadically since 1999 at prices as high as £27.7 million ($45 million), The Tobin Clark Estate includes 9 bedrooms and 12 bathrooms and highlights number a 55-foot long music room with 15-foot high ceilings and 17^th century English wooden paneling, a bar and a library. There is a 6-car garage, a 1,700 bottle wine cellar and a particular highlight has to be the mature, formal gardens.

The music room features 17th century paneling

The library has been described as "one of the finest rooms in America" — The library has been described as “one of the finest rooms in America”

The dining room has been the scene of dinners for world leaders and royalty

Mr Bamieh's study has no doubt been the scene of many high level discussions — Mr Bamieh’s study has no doubt been the scene of many high level discussions

Drinking is plainly a priority in the Bamieh household given the quality of this superb bar

The wine cellar accommodates up to 1300 bottles

This bathroom wouldn't look out of place in "Dallas" or "Dynasty" — This bathroom wouldn’t look out of place in “Dallas” or “Dynasty”

An outdoor swimming pool is located within the grounds

Joel Goodrich now seek £14.7 million ($23.888 million) for The Tobin Clark Estate. Bamieh is also prepared to finance 40% of the purchase price at 3.8% at a higher sale price.

Bamieh, the owner of an export business and a naturalised American whom was born in Palestine, has a colourful past. He was held hostage for four months by aides of King Fahd in Saudi Arabia in 1986 and only released on the condition he ceased to pursue a claim of $1.4 million against a member of his family. At The Tobin Clark Estate, he has hosted many dignitaries including President George H. W. Bush, Preisdent Gerald Ford, King Hussein of Jordan, President Richard Nixon, President Ronald Reagan and Baroness Thatcher. During the tenure of whomever owns the estate next, though, visitors are far more likely to be Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Ellison or Sean Parker.

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4 COMMENTS

Roger Oakes December 13, 2013 At 5:29 pm

Stunning.

Reply
Ellie G. December 15, 2013 At 2:46 pm

Don’t let those Ecclestone sisters get their dirty mitts on this place. Please.

Reply
Roger Oakes December 15, 2013 At 3:35 pm

Pastiche and tacky. No thanks.

Reply
Susan Maxwell December 15, 2013 At 3:51 pm

If it sells in a day, it’s underpriced; if it hasn’t sold in 14 years, it’s simple: it’s overpriced.

Reply