Gothic Russian Hill mansion once owned by Nicolas Cage sells for $8.8M

A century-old Tudor Revival home in San Francisco’s ritzy Russian Hill that was once owned by actor Nicolas Cage has sold for $8.825 million – about $3 million less than when it first came to market almost five years ago.

The sales price is also $1.25 million below the most recent asking price of $9.95 million, which has held steady since March 2020. When it first came to market in 2017, it was asking $12 million and in 2019 it dropped to $11 million.

The National Treasure star bought the home and a vacant lot next door for $9.4 million at the end of 2006. He rethought that decision and it was back on the market the following spring, asking $7.9 million, plus $1.5 million for an empty lot. It sold, with the lot, in July 2008 for $8.5 million, meaning the actor took a hit of almost $1 million.

The sloping lot, which fronts Hyde Street and assures an uninterrupted view from the home, is still a separate listing from the house and was asking $3 million when the gothic mansion went into contract in mid-December. While listing agent Mark Levinson didn’t respond to a request for comment: The lot doesn’t seem to be included as part of the deal, as public records don’t show a recent close on any property other than the home to the same buyers.

Built in 1914, the 6,300-square-foot mansion was notable not just for its famous former owner but also for the fact that it took so long to sell in an otherwise “bananas” Bay Area market where far less grand homes are selling for millions more than the asking price.

That may reflect just how big of a renovation project the new owners will be taking on, although the house did undergo a kitchen update and floor refinishing before its most recent return to market, while still keeping much of its original period detailing intact.