Brochure - Miles McCormick

SPANISH REVIVAL MASTERPIECE
IN
PRIME OLD PALO ALTO
1709 Waverley Street, Palo Alto
(Cross street: Lowell Avenue)
Offered at $5,495,000
Miles McCormick
Founding Agent - Palo Alto Market Center
(650) 400-1001
Visit HomesOfPaloAlto.com
for a property tour and disclosure package
*No slogan needed
Keller Williams believes this information to be correct but has not verified this information and assumes no legal responsibility for it’s accuracy.
Buyers should investigate this information to their own satisfaction.
Located in prestigious Old Palo Alto
where unique architectural details
abound, this new estate home
embodies the refined sophistication
of a peaceful Mediterranean
compound. With more than
4,900 square feet of living space,
this Spanish Revival residence
incorporates exquisite tilework,
dramatic lighting and a soaring
three-level curved staircase with
state-of-the-art systems essential
for today’s busy households. This
offering’s distinctive elements
include:
• Five bedrooms, six bathrooms,
living room, dining room, family
room, study, gym, wine room
and recreation room with
secondary kitchen
• Exceptional finishes include
hand-scribed hickory flooring, traditional ironwork, high ceilings, Venetian plaster, expansive windows and
three fireplaces
• Stunning kitchen with professional-grade appliances, distressed cherry cabinetry and granite slab
countertops
• State-of-the-art systems include fiber optic cabling, two integrated audio
systems, automated lighting, whole-house vacuum system, alarm wiring
and three zones of heating/air conditioning
• 100’ x 90’ property (per MetroScan) has a broad terrace, walled
courtyards, a barbeque area, specimen trees, three fountains and lush
landscaping
Features of the Property
Main Level
Palo Alto is a community that prides itself on preserving its architectural
heritage. Especially treasured is the early California style with its stucco
walls, intricate wrought-iron, cap-and-pan tile roofs and fragrant landscaping.
With its enclosed terraces, graceful window shapes and projecting balconies,
this singular home embraces its historical references while incorporating
impeccable finishes and state-of-the-art systems. In quintessential Spanish
Revival style, an amazing palette of flagstone, tilework, elaborate light fixtures
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and formal plantings help integrate
this residence with its special setting.
Deeply recessed in the stucco
façade is an arched front door
of knotty alder that opens to a
spectacular entrance hall where
three broad arches frame views of
the breathtaking curved staircase,
grand living room and an enclosed
courtyard. Lustrous Venetian plaster
extends seamlessly from the walls up
onto the coved ceiling. The antiqued
limestone tile floor provides a bold
counterpoint to the stately wroughtiron chandelier. A barrel-vaulted
arcade on one side of the staircase
leads to the family room and private
study. Two coat closets flanking the
front door finish this inviting space.
The heart of this gracious home
is the sweeping staircase that connects all three levels. The polished treads are made of Brazilian cherry and
stained a rich brown color that accents the hand-glazed finish on the wrought-iron banister. Set into the rounded
walls of the staircase are lighted niches with limestone countertops. Highlighted by a lantern-style chandelier, two
wall sconces and automated recessed lighting, the view of the spiraling banister from the upper floor landing is
reminiscent of the curve of a Nautilus shell.
The sophisticated living room
has the fine proportions and rich
woodwork of a private club. While
the remainder of the first floor has
ten-foot ceilings, the living room
and study have twelve-foot ceilings
supported by massive wooden
beams. A majestic bell-shaped
picture window fills one wall. This
welcoming room is warmed by
a commanding fireplace with a
reclaimed tile surround and a
towering alder mantel. The astute
placement of low voltage lighting
provides rich ambient light, focused
illumination for artwork and bright
reading areas.
A brilliant nine-light wrought-iron
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chandelier in the dining room creates a marvelous stage for family
dinners or holiday entertaining. As in the other public rooms
throughout the house, hand-scribed hickory flooring grounds this
engaging space. A door in one corner leads to the kitchen through
a service hallway that contains a walk-in pantry and a prep station.
Extensive distressed cherry cabinetry and a rich palette of finishes
give the striking kitchen, breakfast area and family room a refined
sense of continuity. Supported by a large pantry, premium
appliances and innovative lighting system, these spaces will meet
the needs of the busiest household.
In the kitchen, slab granite countertops
and tile backsplashes glimmer beneath
under-cabinet task lighting. Showcased
by candle-style glass pendants, the large
center island has been painted a rich
moss green, then glazed to highlight
the raised paneling and carved corbels.
Topped by an incredible Sage River slab
granite countertop, the impressive island
is equipped with a curved breakfast bar,
trash compactor and hammered copper
secondary sink that coordinates with the
copper apron-front sink under the kitchen
window. The gourmet appliances include
the following:
• Le Cornue CornuFé five-burner, twooven range with enamel green finish
• Vent-A-Hood exhaust hood
• Viking Professional wall oven
• Viking Professional microwave
• Viking Professional warming drawer
• Two fully-integrated 36-inch SubZero refrigerators with double
freezer drawers placed side-by-side to mimic the French door
style
• Two Míele Advanta Series fully-integrated dishwashers
• KitchenAid integrated trash compactor
• ISE Instant Hot water system with integrated water filter
Another show stopping wrought-iron chandelier centered in a
broad bay window defines the neighboring breakfast area. A set
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of French doors provides a view of the
property’s rear terrace. Another single
French door on the rear wall provides
easy access to the barbeque area and
detached garage.
The relaxed family room will be the
multifunctional heart of this special
home with a discrete bank of cabinetry
wired for home entertainment
equipment. The room is centered on
another outstanding fireplace with a
reclaimed tile surround and tall alder
mantel. An oversized picture window
on the southern wall looks out on the
handsome tilework and wrought-iron
banister of the staircase for the lower
terrace. The arched columns of a
barrel vaulted arcade fill the remaining
wall.
The study is a remarkable space with a twelve-foot beamed ceiling, bowl chandelier and oversized bay window
containing a built-in display shelf. The large closet has been fitted with shelving, but could easily be refitted to
handle clothing should a first floor bedroom be required.
Rare reclaimed tile, an artisan-crafted sink and cherry cabinetry have been skillfully integrated in the tasteful first
floor bathroom. The oversized shower has a frameless glass shower screen and an incredible surround of linear
tile that complements the timeless terra cotta wainscoting.
Upper Level
The sumptuous master suite has been designed as a serene retreat. The bedroom incorporates a stage-setting
tray ceiling, French doors to a private balcony and wall-to-wall carpeting. At the entrance to the suite are control
panels for the alarm system and integrated audio system speakers.
The master bathroom offers a dazzling fusion of stone, lavish tile
and gleaming woodwork. The dominant fixture is an incredible
Aquatic Serenity air jet tub on a raised platform topped with the
same splendid limestone used for the vanity countertop. The
oversized shower has a frameless glass surround and an exposed
plumbing system for the rain head and handheld shower fixture.
Limestone mosaic tile provides a flowing sense of motion to the
shower surround and backsplashes. The handsome vanity has
individual mirrors over the Kohler sinks divided by an elongated
medicine cabinet. A separate water closet completes the space.
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The adjoining dressing area has a paneled organizing system offering movable rods, adjustable shelving, shoe
racks, a velvet-lined jewelry drawer, laundry bin and Lucite doors on a display cabinet.
There are two additional bedrooms on this level, and each has wall-to-wall carpet, alder doors and spacious
closets. The bedroom facing the front of the house is an airy space with a tray ceiling, windows on three walls
and wrought-iron awning over the front window. The other bedroom has a cathedral ceiling centered over a
romantic set of arched French doors opening to a wrought-iron Juliette balcony.
Also opening off the upper landing is a hall bathroom with two sinks set in the limestone slab countertop of a
furniture-style cabinet. The shower-over-tub configuration is located in the adjoining water closet.
Lower Level
Wonderfully removed from the home’s other living spaces, the lower level of the residence presents an expansive
recreation room, secondary kitchen, wine room, home gym, the fourth and fifth bedrooms, three additional
bathrooms and a laundry room. With nine-foot ceilings in the main rooms, this level has an open space plan that
radiates outward from the sweeping lower level of the curved staircase.
The spacious recreation room has been set up as a home theater with a bank of built-in cabinetry filling one wall
that has been wired to accommodate the buyer’s surround sound system. French doors and a large window on
one wall open to a light-filled lower courtyard which has a three-tiered corner fountain and a tile staircase with an
ornate wrought-iron banister leading to the backyard. A second set of French doors looks out on a light well and
reinforces the striking scale of this large space.
Designed to function as a secondary kitchen, the wet bar has more cherry cabinetry, gorgeous granite slab
countertops, two art-glass sconces and another hammered copper bar sink. The appliances include the following:
• KitchenAid dishwasher
• KitchenAid beverage center
• GE microwave
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The extraordinary wine room has a WhisperKOOL 3000
refrigeration system, incredible reclaimed tile floor and an arched
display niche with a sculptured relief of Dionysus. The built-in
storage system can house hundreds of bottles of wine.
A French door and large picture window in the home gym provide
a lovely view of the decorative tile risers of the lower courtyard
staircase. With a tray ceiling and recessed lighting, this private
space provides the perfect place for exercise equipment or a
meditation center. The adjoining bathroom has a steam shower
with limestone slabs used for the walls and built-in bench. The
same limestone has also been used for the tile floor and slab vanity
countertop.
An arched passageway beyond the circular staircase leads to the
home’s fourth and fifth bedrooms, both of which have wall-to-wall
carpeting, coved ceilings, recessed lighting and a French door.
One of the bedrooms has a built-in desk tucked in one corner. The
other bedroom has a private bathroom with a delightful harlequin
floor tile and shower-over-tub configuration.
The hall bathroom is similarly appointed with a shower-over-tub
arrangement, frameless glass shower screen and a bold three-light
wall sconce over the vanity sink.
The laundry room has built-in cabinetry, an extra-deep Kohler utility
sink and Míele’s Touchtronic front-loading washer and dryer.
The Grounds
In keeping with Old Palo Alto’s tradition of unique and beautiful
gardens, meticulous care has been used in designing the outdoor
spaces. Taking full advantage of the charming neighborhood
setting at the corner of Waverley Street and Lowell Avenue, a
four-foot wall of stucco and wrought-iron provides an elegant
backdrop for flourishing plantings without interfering with the idyllic
neighborhood view. Walkways of tile and flagstone invite visitors
to wander around corners and through the many ornamental gates.
The focal point of the backyard is a free-standing fireplace with a
raised hearth for seating. The surrounding terrace has been clad with brick tile that complements the terra cotta
tones of the three-tiered fountain. Along the back wall of the garage is a fabulous barbeque area with a Grand
Turbo gas grill with infrared rotisserie set in a slab granite countertop. A recessed archway leads to the detached
two-car garage, which has both a decorative tile plaque above the carriage-style door and a driveway of hand-laid
pavers. Low-voltage landscape lighting and an automated sprinkler system support the plantings.
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A charming walled courtyard in the front of the house can be reached through French doors in the entrance hall,
family room arcade and study. The antiqued limestone tile from the entrance hall continues onto this terrace.
Located just below the master bedroom’s wooden balcony, a multi-tier fountain fills this space with the tranquil
sound of moving water. A wrought-iron gate provides discrete access to a walkway in the front yard.
Custom Finishes
Incredible woodwork is the hallmark of this impressive home. Hand-scribed hickory flooring has been used
extensively. The doors in the residence are made of knotty alder and finished with door hardware imported from
Ashley Norton in the United Kingdom. Historically inspired casement windows with stain-grade alder screens by
Eagle Window & Door were also used for most of the operable windows.
Venetian plasterwork covers the walls and ceilings in most rooms. The ceilings on the first floor are ten feet high,
with the exception of the living room and study where the ceilings rise to twelve feet.
Manufacturers of the premium faucets and other plumbing fixtures throughout the home include Rohl, Perrine &
Rowe, Kohler and Toto.
The home has been equipped with fiber optic cabling, alarm wiring and an automated lighting system from
Control4 that operates in many of the public spaces.
There is wiring for two integrated sound systems. The first is a surround sound system for the recreation room on
the lower level. The second is a home audio system with integrated speakers located in key rooms on the main
and upper levels.
The old-world craftsmanship of the home’s stucco exterior is unsurpassed. Many of the exterior corners of the
residence integrate decorative wing walls that soften the vertical lines of the structure. In addition, where the
sides of the cap-and-pan tile roof abut the stucco walls, a subtle fish-tail detail has been scribed into the mortar.
A hand-crafted gutter system with oversized scuppers complements the home’s complex roofline.
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Other Features
A dazzling fusion of classic light fixtures and low voltage lighting
complements both the architecture and the views of the manicured
grounds.
Each floor has a separate forced air heating and air conditioning zone.
The walk-in pantry between the kitchen and the dining room has been
plumbed for secondary laundry facilities.
This home is located in the desirable Palo Alto Unified School District.
The buyer should verify that the designated schools are Walter Hays
Elementary (Grades K-5), Jordan Middle (Grades 6-8) and Palo Alto High
(Grades 9-12).
For further information, please contact:
Miles McCormick
Founding Agent – Palo Alto Market Center
(650) 400-1001
Visit Miles’ Web site HomesOfPaloAlto.com
for a property tour and disclosure package.
Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
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