“The great estates of California were about the experience. The relationship between architecture and landscape. The feeling of discovery. Arden Villa does it so well.”
- Sam O'Connor
1145
Arden Rd
Pasadena
Bedrooms
8
Bathrooms
13
Total Area
18,565 Sq. FT
Lot Size
128,502 Sq. FT
Price
$45,000,000
Arden Villa of Pasadena
Grand estates like this make a first impression with their size. Then a second impression with their history. But Arden Villa makes a rare third impression: It feels like somewhere you’d actually want to live. Set behind wrought iron gates on nearly three acres in Pasadena and San Marino, this is the kind of property that’s impossible to recreate. Because it comes from an era when homes were conceived as complete worlds unto themselves. Gardens. Tennis courts. Greenhouses. Reflecting ponds. Guest houses. Long views. Longer afternoons by the pool.
Listed by Brent Chang, Drew Fenton, Carolwood Estates
Inside
Built in 1915 by architects Sylvanus Marston and Garrett Van Pelt, the estate carries all of the romance and craftsmanship you’d hope for from a home of this pedigree. But what makes it especially compelling is the 2019 restoration. Clements Design kept the original millwork, handcrafted detailing, and architectural character fully intact, while updating with contemporary furnishings, materials, and amenities. The result? A very beautiful house that just happens to be over a century old.
Outside
The grounds are almost difficult to comprehend by Los Angeles standards. Nearly three level acres offer a series of distinct landscapes: formal gardens, broad lawns, mature trees, a reflecting pond, greenhouse, tennis court, and not one but two pools. The separate Mid-Century guest house is especially intriguing: With its own pool and gated entrance, it feels like an entirely separate property hidden within the estate. A family compound. Creative retreat. Guest residence. Take your pick.
The O' Factor
What we found ourselves thinking about most wasn’t the architecture, or even the history. It was the gardens. The great estates of California were never just about the houses. They were about the experience of moving through them. The relationship between architecture and landscape. The feeling of discovery around every corner. Arden Villa does it so well. You can imagine Buster Keaton wandering the grounds. A Dynasty production crew taking over the driveway. A century of dinner parties, celebrations, and quiet mornings unfolding beneath the trees. A true grand estate, yes. But also a livable home with imagination.
The Homes we Represent,
Represent Us.
Every home has a soul. Every human has a place they were meant to be. Our instinct is knowing when the two finally meet. We honor architecture, preserve great design and celebrate the match. Welcome to O’Connor Estates. We’ve been waiting for you.
Proof is in the Properties
SOLD
Closed $200K over asking
SOLD
Closed for $1,589/sq ft
SOLD
Closed $250k over asking
