The ‘most iconic’ mansion in San Francisco just got a price cut

With both history and luxury, 2800 Pacific Ave. was once designated as San Francisco’s “most iconic” mansion by Chronicle columnist Herb Caen, according to historical SF Chronicle articles. This storied home is now for sale, asking $14 million, down $1 million from its original listing price.

Known as Herbst Manor, the 8,179-square-foot property was designed in 1899 by prolific San Francisco architect Ernest Coxhead. Many Coxhead homes have been described as whimsical or quirky, but 2800 Pacific Ave. is a departure from that expression.

A stately Georgian edifice opens to an ornate five-bedroom, six-bathroom abode, created for art collector Sarah Spooner. The lot cost just $10 at the time and construction was just over $12,000.

Set upon a hillside, the home features soaring ceilings, elaborate moldings, and numerous windows overlooking Bay views. In 1899, women were not allowed to own property in the city of San Francisco. Instead, Spooner took advantage of the city and county dividing line at Divisadero and purchased her lots on the county side of the street. Spooner later gifted much of her art collection to the de Young Museum.

The mansion passed through two families after Spooner, until 1914, when John A. McGregor, a president at Union Iron Works, became the owner. It stayed in his family for 53 years.

The home’s current owners have lived in 2800 Pacific Ave. for a decade, and are credited with the modernized version we see today, according to listing agent Pattie Lawton of Sotheby’s International Realty. Although the home retains much of its original charm — especially in the edifice, living rooms and library — the kitchen, primary suite with tremendous walk-in closet, and upper level lounge are all contemporary additions.

There’s also a “French salon” inside, nicknamed the “Versailles room” for its design, which is reminiscent of that famed French palace. It includes an elaborate marble fireplace, a Venetian plaster ceiling and French doors that open to the garden. 

“It’s one of the rare, remaining French salons,” Lawton told SFGATE when the home was on the market in 2014. “There’s a similar installation to this one at the Legion of Honor Fine Arts Museum.”

Despite all of this luxury and grandeur, the property has undergone a $1 million price cut since listing in September. According to Lawton, the new price “sends a message to the market that the sellers are serious.”