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San Francisco Historical Landmark #38 is a majestic century-old mansion, an elaborate edifice of local ‘clinker bricks,' standing firmly in the highest part of the well-located Pacific Heights neighborhood.
Circa 1894-1897, William Bowers Bourn II commissioned architect Willis J. Polk to create an ‘English townhouse’ where he could stay and entertain when he was in The City. This mansion, a masterpiece of masonry skills and aesthetic materials, was a singular work at the time. It resolutely survived earthquakes in 1906 and 1989, and is a grand architectural artifact in San Francisco history.
Bourn II had roots in the Empire Mine near Grass Valley, founded by his father William Bowers Bourn. After his father’s passing in 1874, Bourn II guided the revitalization of the lucrative mining company and other financial interests. The family fortune grew enormously. Bourn II was president of the utility company that would become Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), and president of the Spring Valley Water Company (SVWC) that supplied and distributed water to five counties in the Bay Area. SVWC eventually was sold to a government entity. Bourn II developed many projects, often with architect Willis Polk. A notable property down the peninsula is Bourn’s massive estate, “Filoli.” The name is derived from the first two letters of each word in Bourn’s motto: “Fight, Love, Live.”
Bourn Mansion today is privately owned and lovingly preserved to be a faithful historical representative of its young and maturing region during a transitional turn-of-the-nineteenth-century.
Bourn Mansion is a four story, 9 bedroom, 7 bath mansion that features 27 total rooms including grand entertaining spaces, luxurious living areas, and ornate detailing throughout. Its interior now appears virtually unchanged from initial construction. Original features include a richly carved staircase, oak hardwood floors, and mahogany and redwood paneling. When restoration work is needed, initial construction is matched as closely as possible.
The first floor serves as the main entry into the mansion. Beautiful mahogany doors open into the entry foyer. Notice the vaulted, hand-gilded gold ceiling. It is believed to simulate a rich mineshaft from Bourn’s Empire Mine. Directly off of the entry foyer to the right is an elegant Ladies Sitting Room featuring paneled walls and decorative molding. To the left is a Gentleman’s Den. Here, you’ll find hand-chiseled redwood planked flooring and ceiling beams, and a brownstone fireplace that provides a rustic setting. At the end of the entry foyer, a hand-carved Grand Staircase connects each level of the building. The first floor also has a Laundry/Fitness Room, Gourmet Kitchen, full Pantry/Prep Area, and Manager’s Suite with bathroom.
The second floor is the main entertainment level. The Grand Staircase leads to a large central Reception Hall that is entirely encased in a hand-painted mural by American painter and sculptor, Bruce Porter. It connects to the Formal Sitting Room, the Ballroom, and the Dining Room. The Formal Sitting Room has redwood paneling and a fresco ceiling of pastel and gilding. There is an extravagant Ballroom at the front of the mansion that is highlighted with ornate crown moldings, a carved Italian marble fireplace, large Corinthian columns, and a balcony that overlooks Webster Street. The Dining Room is surrounded by mahogany paneling and ceiling beams. Adjacent to the fireplace in the Dining Room, the Conservatory has an arch-shape ceiling, abundant daylighting with massive leaded-glass windows, and direct access to an outdoor terrace.
Bourn II had roots in the Empire Mine near Grass Valley, founded by his father William Bowers Bourn. After his father’s passing in 1874, Bourn II guided the revitalization of the lucrative mining company and other financial interests. The family fortune grew enormously. Bourn II was president of the utility company that would become Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), and president of the Spring Valley Water Company (SVWC) that supplied and distributed water to five counties in the Bay Area. SVWC eventually was sold to a government entity. Bourn II developed many projects, often with architect Willis Polk. A notable property down the peninsula is Bourn’s massive estate, “Filoli.” The name is derived from the first two letters of each word in Bourn’s motto: “Fight, Love, Live.”
Bourn Mansion today is privately owned and lovingly preserved to be a faithful historical representative of its young and maturing region during a transitional turn-of-the-nineteenth-century.
Bourn Mansion is a four story, 9 bedroom, 7 bath mansion that features 27 total rooms including grand entertaining spaces, luxurious living areas, and ornate detailing throughout. Its interior now appears virtually unchanged from initial construction. Original features include a richly carved staircase, oak hardwood floors, and mahogany and redwood paneling. When restoration work is needed, initial construction is matched as closely as possible.
The first floor serves as the main entry into the mansion. Beautiful mahogany doors open into the entry foyer. Notice the vaulted, hand-gilded gold ceiling. It is believed to simulate a rich mineshaft from Bourn’s Empire Mine. Directly off of the entry foyer to the right is an elegant Ladies Sitting Room featuring paneled walls and decorative molding. To the left is a Gentleman’s Den. Here, you’ll find hand-chiseled redwood planked flooring and ceiling beams, and a brownstone fireplace that provides a rustic setting. At the end of the entry foyer, a hand-carved Grand Staircase connects each level of the building. The first floor also has a Laundry/Fitness Room, Gourmet Kitchen, full Pantry/Prep Area, and Manager’s Suite with bathroom.
The second floor is the main entertainment level. The Grand Staircase leads to a large central Reception Hall that is entirely encased in a hand-painted mural by American painter and sculptor, Bruce Porter. It connects to the Formal Sitting Room, the Ballroom, and the Dining Room. The Formal Sitting Room has redwood paneling and a fresco ceiling of pastel and gilding. There is an extravagant Ballroom at the front of the mansion that is highlighted with ornate crown moldings, a carved Italian marble fireplace, large Corinthian columns, and a balcony that overlooks Webster Street. The Dining Room is surrounded by mahogany paneling and ceiling beams. Adjacent to the fireplace in the Dining Room, the Conservatory has an arch-shape ceiling, abundant daylighting with massive leaded-glass windows, and direct access to an outdoor terrace.
ON TOPIC:
This blogger would like to thank the talented and gracious owners of this magnificent San Francisco property for their much appreciated time, efforts, information, and hospitality that has made possible this brief article and a very meaningful experience at the mansion by a fortunate small group of people.
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Post No. 294
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Post No. 294
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