Pasadena’s “Knoll House” in contract as auction ends at $18M 

A buyer has emerged for a 1916 Colonial Revival estate in Pasadena, rich in California architectural history, The Real Deal has learned. 

The Knoll House at 2 Oak Knoll Terrace, which went up for auction June 19, is now under contract after bidding closed Tuesday at $17.5 million, according to a source familiar with the matter. 

Josh Flagg of Compass and Coldwell Banker Realty’s Carol Chua and Darrell Done are the listing agents. Concierge Auctions conducted the auction online. 

Starting bids were expected between $10 million and $18 million, according to a release Concierge Auctions in May. 

Philanthropist John Vidalakis, the seller, paid $7.3 million in 2011 for the estate, buying it from the Wescott Christian Center, according to property records. The buyer was not disclosed. 

The estate, which sits on over two acres, was sold at a huge discount compared to its initial and most recent listing prices. Knoll House was first listed for $48 million in 2021, though the price was then cut to $35 million, according to records on Trulia.

The property has earned a buzzy place among students of design, with architects Myron Hunt and Gordon Kaufmann behind the estate. Hunt is the architect of the Huntington Library, Rose Bowl Stadium and Hollywood Bowl. Meanwhile, Kaufmann designed the Hollywood Palladium and Los Angeles Times Building.

The property includes 12,300 square feet of residential space. Inside, there are nearly 10 fireplaces, a restored English pub, six hidden doors and elevators. The home has seven bedrooms, 10 full bathrooms and another 11 half bathrooms. Outdoors, the property includes a bocce court, Zen garden, swimming pool and spa.

A separate gallery space comprises another 20,500 square feet and was designed by the duo behind the Norton Simon Museum, Thornton Ladd and John Kelsey. It can accommodate as many as 400 people. There’s also a 46-seat theater, Tiki bar and wine cellar that can hold 2,500 bottles.

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