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1904 Palo Alto landmark listed for $19.9m, last sold in 1999

By · Via Times of India · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Designed by San Francisco architect T. Paterson Ross, the 1904 Roman Classic Revival residence spans 7,794 square feet alongside a detached 600-square-foot guest house on nearly an acre. The home famously weathered the 1906 San Francisco earthquake with minimal structural damage and retains historic elements like its signature Ionic columns and an attic once used as a roller-skating rink. After surviving demolition threats decades ago, the property maintains protective easements that continue to safeguard its exterior and landscaped grounds.

Key points

  • The property holds formal historical recognition as California Historical Landmark No. 85…: The property holds formal historical recognition as California Historical Landmark No. 857 and sits on the National Register of Historic Places.
  • The community campaign to protect the residence directly spurred the creation of Palo Alt…: The community campaign to protect the residence directly spurred the creation of Palo Alto's 1979 historic preservation ordinance.
  • A legally binding façade easement permanently protects the mansion's distinctive exterior…: A legally binding façade easement permanently protects the mansion's distinctive exterior architecture and surrounding grounds from destructive alterations.

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A century-old mansion in California, once threatened with demolition and later saved through a community-led preservation campaign, has returned to the property market with an asking price of nearly $20 million. The historic Squire House, a white-columned Neoclassical estate on Palo Alto’s University Avenue, is listed for $19.988 million. It is the first time the property has been offered for sale since it last changed hands in 1999, according to a report by The Almanac.

Built in 1904 for John Adams Squire and his wife, Georgiana, the mansion stands on a nearly one-acre property in the city’s Crescent Park neighbourhood. The main residence spans 7,794 square feet, while a separate 600-square-foot guest house brings the total built-up area to approximately 8,394 square feet. The estate also includes landscaped gardens, a swimming pool and a terrace with a fireplace, according to the property's listing by DeLeon Realty.

But the house's significance extends beyond its size and price. Known for its grand two-storey portico and Ionic columns, it is recognised as California Historical Landmark No. 857 and is listed on the National…

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