Former CEO of Kimpton Hotels lists historic mansion in San Francisco’s Pacific Heights for $16M

With a storied, celebrity past and almost a century of careful preservation paired with with high-end, careful renovation, 2500 Divisadero is a San Francisco legend. You could write the next chapter for this historic mansion, on the market now for $15.995 million.

This 9,125 square-foot home was built in 1933 by locally renowned architect Angus McSweeny, a partner in Willis, Polk, and Company, an architectural partnership that produced hundreds of significant commercial and residential buildings in the Bay Area, including the Palace of Fine Arts. 

The home’s current owners have enhanced the Tudor drama with glossy black paint and artful design elements. 

Jacob Elliott

Later McSweeny would go on to form his own firm. Along with this home, other notable buildings to McSweeny’s credit are 1200 California and St Mary’s Cathedral on Gough, the latter of which he served as part of collaborative team to create and construct.

Marble, leaded glass, iron and wood add drama while glass lets in natural light. 

Marble, leaded glass, iron and wood add drama while glass lets in natural light. 

Jacob Elliott

The grandeur of those buildings is clearly present in 2500 Divisadero, with its classic Tudor craftsmanship. Hand-carved woodwork; hand-laid stone and brick; dramatic arches, peaks, beams, built-ins and embellishments; all of these features still present.

The kitchen is large and equipped with high end appliances. French doors open to patio.

The kitchen is large and equipped with high end appliances. French doors open to patio.

Jacob Elliott

But the plethora of famous owners have kept the six-bedroom, five full bathoom and three half-bathroom abode current with modern day luxury. 

The outdoors are as luxe as the indoors, as evidenced by this patio and fire ring, surrounded by trees. 

The outdoors are as luxe as the indoors, as evidenced by this patio and fire ring, surrounded by trees. 

Jacob Elliott

The home has illustrious history. Before it was built, its location was a backdrop for the 1924 the Buster Keaton silent movie, “The Navigator.” Once the home was built, its original owners were the Bissinger family: Marjorie Walter Bissinger was the founder of the Asian Art Museum.

The home's office has it's own hearth as well as built-in bookshelves. 

The home’s office has it’s own hearth as well as built-in bookshelves. 

Jacob Elliott

The home has also housed the Canadian Consulate, and has featured in San Francisco’s Decorator Showcase. Previous owners and philanthropists Jeff and Laurie Ubben used the home to host fund raisers for a variety of causes. At one point, Martha Stewart stayed in the upper floor guest rooms while she and Jeff Ubben worked together.  

A very dramatic formal dining room is warmed by an oversized fireplace. 

A very dramatic formal dining room is warmed by an oversized fireplace. 

Jacob Elliott

The current sellers are Mike Depatie, financier and former CEO of Kimpton Hotels and his wife Holly, an interior designer. Holly Depatie’s design sensibilities adorn the home’s interior.

This bathroom with its unique wall paper is light-filled and spacious. 

This bathroom with its unique wall paper is light-filled and spacious. 

Jacob Elliott

“The house itself inspired me with its rich history, grand entrance, extraordinary hand-carved wood, custom ironwork, and gorgeously proportioned rooms,” Holly Depatie told SFGATE. “Because of the house’s connection to the visual arts I wanted it to exude a sense of dignified drama, a grown-up modern aesthetic that embraced both its glorious past and its most relevant place in the present as one of the great San Francisco houses.”

This bedroom features built-ins for seamless storage. 

This bedroom features built-ins for seamless storage. 

Jacob Elliott

The primary bedroom features bay window looking out over the lovely views. 

The primary bedroom features bay window looking out over the lovely views. 

Jacob Elliott

In the Depatie family’s hands, this home has continued to serve philanthropic causes as well as play host to a plethora of distinguished guests. Whoever buys the property next will enjoy almost a hundred years of history included with the sale.

The home gym is fully equipped. 

The home gym is fully equipped. 

Jacob Elliott

Anna Marie Erwert writes from both the renter and new buyer perspective, having (finally) achieved both statuses. She focuses on national real estate trends, specializing in the San Francisco Bay Area and Pacific Northwest. Follow Anna on Twitter: @AnnaMarieErwert. 

 

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