262 S San Rafael Avenue
Pasadena, CA, 91105
$12,000,000
MLS: P1-25399
Beds
6
Baths
11
Sq Ft
10,918
Lot
2.71 ac
Year Built
1927
MLS #
P1-25399
Days on Market
91
Listed
Jan 12, 2026
Description
'The opportunity to acquire a Kaufmann-designed residence of this scale, on land of this magnitude, and in direct relationship to the Arroyo Seco are exceedingly rare. Such properties are not replicated.'Privately located on one of the last undivided parcels on ultra-prestigious South San Rafael Avenue, sits the Frederick G. Adamson estate. Sited on 2.71 acres at the top of a long, gated driveway with commanding panoramic views of the Southern Basin from the western bank of the Arroyo Seco, the estate offers scale, privacy, and permanence that can no longer be replicated.Gordon B. Kaufmann, AIA Fellow, who over his career partnered with Reginald Johnson, Roland Coate, and Jesse Stanton, was the architect behind Greystone Mansion, the Los Angeles Times Building, the Athenaeum at Caltech, and numerous other landmark works, earning recognition at the Paris International Exposition. His architecture is found throughout many of Southern California's most prominent enclaves, including Bel-Air, Hancock Park, Holmby Hills, Pasadena, Beverly Hills, and Montecito.This Italian Revival masterpiece reflects Kaufmann's timeless vision, revealing a residence that, while exceeding 10,000 square feet, retains a sense of warmth, intimacy, and effortless livability. Equally suited for grand entertaining and private retreat, the home exemplifies his celebrated ability to balance formal and informal spaces while capturing the site's commanding views and sweeping panoramas. A succession of terraces, balconies, and loggias extends the living experience outdoors, beautifully uniting architecture and landscape design.Original and updated details remain remarkably preserved, including lathe-and-plaster walls, a paneled walnut library, oak floors, intricate moldings, five fireplaces, 14.75 foot ceilings, clay-tile roofline, and period lighting and hardware reflecting a level of craftsmanship and integrity rarely seen today.Published in Architectural Digest in 1930 and held by only a handful of owners over nearly a century, the estate endures as a cultural artifact. Properties of this caliber do not trade often. When they do, they demand decisive, thoughtful ownership. This is one of those moments.Minutes from Caltech, the Huntington Library & Gardens, major studios, and Downtown Los Angeles, the Adamson Estate unites architectural significance, irreplaceable land, and enduring value.
Location
Pasadena, Los Angeles County, CA 91105
Open on Google Maps ↗Listed by: Rita Whitney · The Agency
Payment estimate
$83,657
/ month (est.)
Principal, interest, taxes, and insurance + PMI. Down payment: $1,200,000 · Loan: $10,800,000
- Principal & Interest
- $66,357
- Property tax (1.25%)
- $12,500
- Homeowners insurance
- $300
- Mortgage insurance
- $4,500
Login required. The full tool supports FHA / VA / USDA, PMI by credit tier, lender fees, and total cash to close — with your inputs here carried over.
Today's Rates
As of Apr 23, 2026
- 30-year fixed
- 6.23%
- 15-year fixed
- 5.58%
Source: Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS). Updated weekly.
Financing Options
FHA Financing — 3.5% Down＋
First-time and repeat buyers can purchase this Pasadena home with as little as 3.5% down using an FHA loan — roughly $420,000 down. FHA loans feature flexible credit guidelines and government-backed rates, making homeownership accessible for buyers who haven't saved a large down payment. Seller concessions up to 6% of the purchase price are also allowed.
Local Market Stats
See Pasadena, CA 91105 market trends →
Median sold price, days on market, active inventory, price brackets, and 12-month trends — pulled live from the MLS.
★#1 Producing Individual Realtor — Antelope Valley
Only large teams outsell Mike Watson · Keller Williams Realty
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