Description

The H.L. Thompson House, Gordon Kaufmann, FAIA 1938Anchoring San Marino's Architect's Row, The HL Thompson House is Gordon Kaufmann's brilliant contribution to this select fellowship. A statement property, perhaps a response to George Washington Smith's 'Ostoff House' and the 'Parker Toms Residence' by Wallace Neff, the Thompson house is bold and impressive without remorse. Only Kaufmann's second Palladian estate, the property imposes its presence from first sight. Public rooms are oversized and grand, hand painted ceilings, a 30'x40' drawing room with Italian marble fireplace, a dining room with wallpaper by Zuber & Cie and a walnut paneled library with hidden bar-room caused an article to declare, 'The most beautiful and tastefully furnished mansion you have ever seen.' With the original grounds spanning the entire block, ending directly across from the extensive gardens of Henry and Arabella Huntington, Gordon Kaufmann, placed the Thompson House on the far North/East side allowing the Thompson gardens to flow directly into the Huntington's, thereby creating the illusion of one continuous flowing sea of green. A monument to the 'Golden Age' of architecture; an opportunity to experience the opulence and grandeur of the lifestyles who's participants were the founders of the institutions and cities that define Southern California today. FEATURES: *Total of 11BR/12BA including guesthouse and Chauffeur's *Main house: 9BR/9BA *1BR/1BA guesthouse w/kitchen & Family Room *Working elevator, 3-levels *Fully gated, 3-automatic driveway gates *6-total garage spaces w/Chauffeur's quarters w/full bath *Pool & spa *N/S lighted tennis court *Notable Kaufmann works: Caltech Athenaeum, Hoover Dam, LA Times Building, Greystone Mansion