Seven-Acre Upper Happy Valley Estate 1177 Estates Drive Lafayette, California 94563 United States

This home, never before available, is the crown jewel estate built by a prominent local builder for his family. The timeless contemporary home was designed for entertaining on a grand scale, yet is comfortable for everyday living. Though just a few minutes from Highway 24 and Lafayette’s vibrant downtown, one leaves the world behind at this secluded home. A private driveway cascades down a knoll framed by century-old oaks to the home, featuring nearly 10,000 square feet of architecturally unique yet functional living space. The main floor includes the primary suite, office, kitchen and dining rooms, with just a few steps down to the living and family rooms. Multiple terraces and decks provide venues to relax, while casement and awning windows invite fresh air. The foyer, with soaring wood ceilings, clerestory glass, and limestone accent walls, draws one’s eye to captivating valley views beyond an open-tread floating staircase. Both the light-filled living and family rooms feature wood-burning fireplaces set off by distinctive surrounds, and provide ample space for art, a piano and extensive seating. The family room also has custom display shelves and a wet bar. The kitchen has garden views, a separate large refrigerator and freezer, a walk-in pantry, extensive storage, and a wine refrigerator. An island, with granite counter, provides room for six barstools, and a dumbwaiter sends food to the game room below. Casual dining in the adjoining breakfast nook is a unique experience: Glass walls make one feel as if sitting high in a tree with birds and squirrels playing alongside. Close by the kitchen is the formal dining room, which easily seats 12 and has a built-in buffet and glass-paneled walls. The primary suite sits alone down an open walkway off the foyer. The 500-square-foot bedroom suite and adjoining 400-square-foot office feature high coffered ceilings, full-wall windows, seating areas and custom built-ins. (The office, with waterfall views, easily could be reconfigured as an exercise room or art studio.) The en-suite primary bathroom is a light-filled area that makes one feel as if outdoors, yet with exceptional privacy. Features include an two-person spa tub and marble shower, with two sinks, dressing areas, water closets, and walk-in closets with built-in cabinetry. Children and teens in particular will love the downstairs level. One wing has three large bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom, walk-in closet, seating area, built-in cabinetry and desk, and view windows. The recreation room in the other wing is almost 400 square feet, with two distinct areas with wood floors and ceilings. It features full-height sliding glass doors, a fireplace, a walk-behind wet bar, and spaces for an oversized television and billiard/ping pong/card tables. Off the recreation room is a full bathroom with a sauna and steam shower that serves the huge stone deck patio, the swimming pool and spa, and grassy play area. Reaching the lower level is easy via multiple staircases or the utility access road. The back yard is fully fenced and has a separate dog yard. The existing tennis court can be reconfigured for pickleball or basketball, or perhaps used as the site for a guest house. There are two living spaces with direct entry access, ideal for older children, multi-gen families, or staff quarters. One is a studio under the garage with a kitchenette and full bathroom. The other is a bedroom at the mid-level with a sliding door to the exterior stairwell. Interior and exterior storage is prevalent throughout the property, and an underground room is perfect for storing wine. Other features, such as a laundry chute, keyless entry pads, solid wood doors, central vacuum, monitored video security, and Lutron lighting make this an easy-living custom home. Set on two legal parcels across nearly seven acres, this estate allows one’s imagination to design whatever suits one’s lifestyle.