Description

The Frederick G. Adamson Estate, designed in 1927 by AIA Fellow Gordon B. Kaufmann is a defining example of Pasadena's Golden Era of architecture. This Italian Revival masterpiece is secluded beyond rolling lawns and mature landscape at the crest of a long, gated drive. The estate commands a premier setting along the western bank of the Arroyo Seco, on South San Rafael Avenue, one of Pasadena's most distinguished addresses. The 2.71-acre property is one of the few remaining undivided parcels on the street. Kaufmann's timeless vision reveals a residence that, while exceeding 10,000 square feet, retains a sense of warmth, intimacy, and effortless livability. Equally suited for grand entertaining or quiet retreat, the home exemplifies Kaufmann's celebrated ability to balance public and private realms while capturing the site's commanding views and sweeping panoramic vistas.Commissioned by Frederick G. Adamson, a prominent industrialist, the estate reflects Kaufmann's architectural mastery, the same genius that produced Caltech's iconic Athenaeum, the Los Angeles Times Building, the Hollywood Palladium and more. Having only a handful of owners in nearly a century, the Adamson Estate endures as a landmark of rare craftsmanship and artistry.Original details remain intact and meticulously preserved: lathe-and-plaster walls, hipped clay-tile rooflines, paneled walnut library, intricate moldings, oak floors, five fireplaces, and period light fixtures and hardware. Published in Architectural Digest (1930) and featured in numerous film and editorial productions, the residence is bathed in natural light and Arroyo breezes through perfectly placed French doors and windows. A succession of terraces, balconies, and loggias extends the living environment outdoors, seamlessly uniting the interior and exterior living spaces. Gated and enveloped by park-like grounds, the estate's secluded approach sets the tone for its grandeur. Just south of the Colorado Street Bridge and minutes from Downtown Los Angeles, Burbank studios, Caltech, and the Huntington Library & Gardens, the Frederick G. Adamson Estate remains an enduring and peerless expression of architectural significance, privacy, and timeless Pasadena elegance.