Marina Mediterranean Filled With Period Details Asks $6.75M

The site that the home at 685 Marina Boulevard stands upon was once part of the 1916 Panama-Pacific International Exposition. That land was opened up for sale in 1929, when, as Gloria Zietich-Craib, the daughter of the home's original owner, wrote in her book The Countess: A True Story of Love, War, and Politics, the location was chosen by her family for their new home. Zietich-Craib's father, the proprietor of a food and wine store on Union Street, selected that specific spot because it sat on a rocky promontory that would be safer in an earthquake than the surrounding landfill. Today, the home still stands, and it retains many of the period touches from the 1930s era. After having only two owners ever, the home is now back on the market for $6.75 million.

The four-bedroom house's Mediterranean influences are immediately apparent, with its red-tiled roof and wrought-iron balconies visible from the street. However, it is at the front door where its real character begins to come through. The tiling throughout the house, especially at the front door and on the main staircase, is both bold and delicate. There are stone fireplaces, arched windows, and ironwork in both railings and lighting. The beamed ceilings are painted with elegant designs, and there is a patterned clay tile floor. A balcony shows off the bay views, and the leafy backyard is an added bonus.

· 685 Marina Boulevard [Official Site]