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$11,000,000
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Property Description
'The opportunity to acquire a Kaufmann-designed residence of this scale, on land of this magnitude, and in direct relationship to the Arroyo Seco are exceedingly rare. Such properties are not replicated.'Privately located on one of the last undivided parcels on ultra-prestigious South San Rafael Avenue, sits the Frederick G. Adamson estate. Sited on 2.71 acres at the top of a long, gated driveway with commanding panoramic views of the Southern Basin from the western bank of the Arroyo Seco, the estate offers scale, privacy, and permanence that can no longer be replicated.Gordon B. Kaufmann, AIA Fellow, who over his career partnered with Reginald Johnson, Roland Coate, and Jesse Stanton, was the architect behind Greystone Mansion, the Los Angeles Times Building, the Athenaeum at Caltech, and numerous other landmark works, earning recognition at the Paris International Exposition. His architecture is found throughout many of Southern California's most prominent enclaves, including Bel-Air, Hancock Park, Holmby Hills, Pasadena, Beverly Hills, and Montecito.This Italian Revival masterpiece reflects Kaufmann's timeless vision, revealing a residence that, while exceeding 10,000 square feet, retains a sense of warmth, intimacy, and effortless livability. Equally suited for grand entertaining and private retreat, the home exemplifies his celebrated ability to balance formal and informal spaces while capturing the site's commanding views and sweeping panoramas. A succession of terraces, balconies, and loggias extends the living experience outdoors, beautifully uniting architecture and landscape design.Original and updated details remain remarkably preserved, including lathe-and-plaster walls, a paneled walnut library, oak floors, intricate moldings, five fireplaces, 14.75 foot ceilings, clay-tile roofline, and period lighting and hardware reflecting a level of craftsmanship and integrity rarely seen today.Published in Architectural Digest in 1930 and held by only a handful of owners over nearly a century, the estate endures as a cultural artifact. Properties of this caliber do not trade often. When they do, they demand decisive, thoughtful ownership. This is one of those moments.Minutes from Caltech, the Huntington Library & Gardens, major studios, and Downtown Los Angeles, the Adamson Estate unites architectural significance, irreplaceable land, and enduring value.
Full Property Details
Full Property Details for 262 S San Rafael Ave
General
- Sold For: $11,000,000
- Status: Closed
- Type: Single Family
- Source: MRMLS
- MLS ID: P1-26939
- Added to Site: 172 day(s) ago
Interior
- Rooms/Areas: Primary Bedroom, Primary Bathroom, Den, Sun, Center Hall, Primary Suite, Laundry, Home Theater, Media Room, Office, Dressing Area, Living Room, Family Room, Formal Entry, Game Room, Guest/Maid's Quarters, Great Room, Entry, Library, Basement, Kitchen, Exercise Room, Utility Room, Retreat, Walk-In Closet
- Fireplace: Yes
- Fireplace(s): Dining Room, Primary Bedroom, Primary Retreat, Library, Living Room, Family Room, Den
- Eating Areas: Family Kitchen, In Kitchen, Separated
- Appliances: Gas Cooktop, Refrigerator, Gas Range, Freezer, Gas Oven
- Flooring: Stone, Wood
Rooms
Bathrooms
- Total Bathrooms: 11
- Full Bathrooms: 3
- 3/4 Bathrooms: 2
- Half Bathrooms: 6
Bedrooms
- Total Bedrooms: 6
Other Rooms
- Laundry: Individual Room
Additional Information
- Pool: Yes
- Pool Description: In-Ground
- Spa Description: None
Exterior
- Deck/Patio: Tile, Stone
Parking
- Garage: Yes
- Garage Spaces: 2
- Parking: Garage, Gated, Circular Driveway, Garage (Single Door), Controlled Entrance, Side-by-Side, Garage Faces Side, Oversized
Location
- County: Los Angeles
- Driving Directions: South of Colorado, North of La Loma
- Direction Faces: West
Community
- Community Features: Gutters, Curbs, Golf, Rural, Biking, Hiking, Street Lights, Urban, Preserve/Public Land, Suburban, Park
Heating & Cooling
- Cooling Type: Central Air
- Heating Type: Gravity, Forced Air
Utilities
- Sewer: Public Sewer
- Water: Public
Structural Information
- Architectural Style: See Remarks, Mediterranean
- Structure Type: Single Family Residence
- Construction: Plaster, Concrete
- Roof: Tile
- Common Walls: No Common Walls
- Stories/Levels: Three Or More
- Stories Description: Three Or More
- Square Feet: 10,918
- Sq. Ft. Source: Taped
- Year Built: 1927
- Year Built Source: Assessor
Lot Features
- Property View: Mountain(s), Trees/Woods, City Lights, Park/Greenbelt, Landmark, Neighborhood, Pool, Canyon, Valley, Bridge(s), Panoramic
- Lot Size (Acres): 2.71
- Lot Size Source: Assessor
- Irrigation System: Sprinkler System
- Lot Description: Sprinklers in Front, Garden, Lawn, Yard, Sprinklers in Rear
- Fencing (Description): Block, Chain Link
Financial Considerations
- Price Per Sq. Ft.: $1,007.51
Disclosures and Reports
- Special Conditions: Trust, Standard
- Inclusions: TBA
Listed by The Agency, Rita Whitney
Sold by Compass, Annie Deng
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Schools
Schools serving 262 S San Rafael Ave
School District:Pasadena Unified School District
| Name | Grades | Distance |
|---|---|---|
McKinley School 325 South Oak Knoll Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101 | K-5 | 2 mi |
Blair High School 1201 South Marengo Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91106 | 6-8 | 1.6 mi |
Disclaimer:
School attendance boundaries provided by ATTOM Data Solutions and are for reference only. Contact the school directly to verify enrollment eligibility.
Price & Sales History for 262 S San Rafael Ave
Date
Details
Price
Change
Source
5/15/2026
Sold
$11,000,000
-8.33%
MLS
5/01/2026
Listed
$12,000,000
—
MLS
Disclaimer: Historical sales information is derived from public records provided by the county offices. Information is not guaranteed and should be independently verified.
262 S San Rafael Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91105 (MLS# P1-26939) is a Single Family property that was sold at $11,000,000 on May 15, 2026. Want to learn more about 262 S San Rafael Avenue? Do you have questions about finding other Single Family real estate for sale in Pasadena? You can browse all Pasadena real estate or contact a Coldwell Banker agent to request more information.

