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Hillsborough's Storied House-on-Hill Estate Sells for $22.8M

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After more than two and a half years on the market, one of the Bay Area's most storied and expensive homes has finally found a buyer willing to shell out $22.8 million. The Hillsborough Tudor estate has hosted at least four US Presidents (Nixon, Ford, Reagan, and Bush), as well as British prime minister Margaret Thatcher and King Hussein of Jordan. With 12 bedrooms and 15 bathrooms (that's 12 fulls and 3 halfs), it was probably rather easy to find space for the dignitaries and their entourages. The estate was built in 1932 for banking heir Celia Tobin Clark and stayed in her family for the next 60 years.

Although the spread is officially known as House-on-Hill, its sale website was set up at the rather hokey domain ultraluxuryestate.com. Set on nearly six acres, the home includes a 35,000-square-foot main residence, a pool with a pool house, endless gardens, and, yes, a waterfall. Although the entire house is exquisite, the Grand Music Room, with its 15-foot-high ceilings, imported antique parquet de Versailles flooring, and triple gold-gilt moldings, is the most dramatic spot in the manse.

Despite the grandeur, the mansion has a checkered listing history. It first went on the market in January 2012 for $29 million and then cycled through at least a dozen delistings, relistings, and price changes, eventually falling to $23.888 million before finally finding a taker at $22.8 million. If House-on-Hill were in the city, by the way, it would have placed third on our list of the 25 most expensive homes for sale in San Francisco.


· 40 Verbalee Lane [Official Site]
· Magnificent House-on-Hill Played Host to Kings and Presidents [Curbed National]
· The 25 Most Expensive Homes for Sale in San Francisco [Curbed SF]