The term "Gold Coast" is universal for the most superbly located real estate to be found in any region. Made famous at 19th Century Long Island, New York, the Gold Coast region set the tone and inspired the Gatsby era of timeless luxury. When F. Scott Fitzgerald romanticized Great Neck and Old Westbury, NY, the vehicle was always architecture, the defining statement and metaphor for lifestyle, expression, and joie de vivre. On the Pacific stage, the Gold Coast of San Francisco is considered prime blocks of Broadway in Pacific Heights. In Hillsborough, our Gold Coast is surely Lower North. Here, around the circa 1890s Burlingame Country Club and downtown Burlingame Avenue, Lower North Hillsborough tops the charts year after year with #1 achievements in median sales price, price per sq. ft., and volume of sales over $10,000,000. Within Lower North Hillsborough, "The Farm," is a very special enclave known for its privacy, estate-caliber homes, and focus on design prowess.

Steeped in history, yet thoroughly modern of the 1990s-2000s, the Farm Lane circle is quite clearly the best of both worlds. The estates here were once the grounds of Jennie Crocker Henderson's "Homeplace" on some 200 acres, and prior to that, the setting for one of the oldest structures in Hillsborough, the Tevis Carriage House still standing at 5 Farm Lane. But it's not the lore that will first impress you, it's the sheer stateliness and modern glamour of this collection of estates. Sprinkled in for good measure, and contributing to the pastoral ambiance, there's even a handful of vacant lots still owned by Crocker descendants.

Approaching the home, it's all about the setback and the stature. Open lawns and gardens are the perfect foil for the stately proportions. Three gables crown the facade in robust English country vernacular, exuding an East Coast elegance not soon forgotten. Stepping inside, a dramatic two-story lobby features ceiling heights soaring over 23 feet high. Formal living and dining rooms flank the staircase. Note the herringbone oak flooring and crisp white millwork that radiate traditional warmth. At the heart of the home, and positioned as a pivot to the rear grounds and extraordinary family room, you will marvel at the tour de force kitchen. Totally renovated to the highest standards, the open space is lavished with the finest Calacatta marbles from Da Vinci Marble, highlighted by a 12-ft center island. No expense is spared, with the finest in convenience and design. Don't miss the built-in espresso station and the deluxe butler's pantry with Sub-Zero icemaker and built-in Dacor Winestation dispenser. The kitchen's immense 30 ft. scale is truly the life of the party, including a delightful casual dining nook, access to the yard, island seating, plus the tandem luxury of the world-class adjacent family room.  Here you are transported to an oasis with 17 ft+ ceilings, pool access, a grand fireplace in the European tradition, and the copious dimensions to inspire multiple destinations within a single commanding space. 

The greatest luxury homes manage to combine feelings of richness, size, and inviting warmth. Houndsgate Manor welcomes on all fronts. The ingenuity of the remodel dazzles again just beyond the kitchen in a unique Flex/Mud Room. The designer deftly incorporates an office station, island work space, custom Mud Room cabinetry, laundry, and full bathroom with pool access....the perfect multi-purpose hub for the busy family or those seeking a second office or homework center. The  3-car attached garage opens nearby to complete your daily portrait.  

Ascending the staircase note the white millwork paneling and lofty ceilings. The landing is a living space unto itself for your seating area or library lounge. From this perch, you will overlook the heights of the lobby and its characteristic Tudor Revival accent windows.  As widely desired, the upper level features 4 bedrooms (all en suite, all remodeled bathrooms) together, plus a mahogany library set behind double doors. The condition and pristine updating of every inch cannot be overemphasized. Throughout 6,395 sq. ft. of living we are treated to meticulousness and integrity, timeless assets that are functional and welcoming. 

The master suite is another stunning retreat of this renovation. Set beneath nearly 11 ft. ceilings, the master bedroom affords a seating area and fireplace, but it's the artistic beauty of the spa bathroom that really steals the show! A study in composition of amenities and surfaces, the re-design again stars Da Vinci Marble with magical quality and execution. Note the herringbone marble floor, multiple built-ins, decadent spa shower, separate tub, and double wardrobes.  For all of its modern luxuries, this home always reminds you of its homage to classic European Revival. Multiple bay windows and authentic slate roof are shining examples. The upper level will be a dream for the larger family, as four bedroom suites are together, and enhanced by the usable landing and fully paneled library. 

Outside, on private grounds of .82 acre every facet has been recently re-imagined with new landscaping and detail. Like a diamond that reveals more beauty with a perfect cut and polish, the yards have been improved with every resort indulgence. A trellised dining courtyard warms by an architectural outdoor fireplace. Elaborate bluestone hardscape trims boxwood gardens and fountains. A built-in grilling center features a top-of-the-line 48 inch Lynx gas barbecue. The pool is totally remodeled with Pebblesheen finish and bluestone decking. 

At the end of the day, Houndsgate Manor tells a story not unlike Hillsborough itself: a commitment to design excellence, the preservation of privacy in a garden setting, and timeless prestige that will always endure...From Hillsborough's Gold Coast, this premier Lower North location, you are just 1.9 mile to the Apple Store at the heart of downtown Burlingame Avenue, just 15 minutes to SFO Airport, 3 miles to Nueva School, just 1 mile to North School and Crocker, and eminently at home with one of Hillsborough's ultimate addresses. 

At a Glance

• Approx. 6,395 sq. ft. of living (per paid vendor Floorplan Visuals)
• 4 bedrooms (all en suite), 5.5 bathrooms, plus mahogany Office, plus main level Flex/Mud Room ideal as second office or study center.
• Lot size is approx. .82 acre (35,765 sq. ft. per county record) 
• Attached 3-car garage and gated motor court
• Home originally built in 1990 and masterfully re-imagined inside and out by current owner in recent years
• Fully re-landscaped grounds with remodeled pool, outdoor fireplace courtyard, built-in grilling station, bluestone hardscape, and sweeping front lawns
• Premier Lower North Hillsborough location amongst other stately mansions, and with minimal through traffic; just 1.9 mile to the heart of downtown Burlingame
• School assignments (per district Web sites) of North Elementary and Crocker Middle (1 mile away), and San Mateo High. 3 miles or less to both Nueva School and Crystal Springs Uplands (6-12)