215 Locust Avenue San Rafael

215 Locust Avenue San Rafael — Located in the sought-after Dominican neighborhood of San Rafael, this Mark Mills-designed 4 bedroom/3 bath home is ideally sited at the end of a long drive on 4+ pristine acres adjoining open space. The home boasts an expansive living / dining room anchored by an imposing stone hearth that reaches to the 20-foot ceiling and looks out onto impressive views of Mt. Tamalpais. The property also includes a lap-pool and plenty of room for entertaining and play.

The optimism and vision of mid-century modern design is on full display at this stunning home, designed by renowned architect Mark Mills, a Frank Lloyd Wright apprentice at Taliesin West from 1944 to 1948. Mills, an accomplished architect in his own right, is the celebrated subject of the new book “The Fantastic Seashell of the Mind: The Architecture of Mark Mills.” Architectural Digest called him one of the world’s top architects in 2009.

The single-level masterpiece with its open floor plan was custom designed for the original owners in 1968 and boasts many Frank Lloyd Wright/Mark Mills hallmark features. Large sweeping walls of glass open to the outdoors, functional yet artistic roof structures extend room ceilings outside the home and a dominant, dramatic stone fireplace serves as the focal point of the main living space of the home.

Custom built-in furniture, another Frank Lloyd Wright/ Mark Mills hallmark, surrounds the epic lodge-like hearth and is found throughout the rest of the home. The original owners of 215 Locust were disciples of both architects and were stewards of their philosophy. They were devoted to the creation of this stunning work of art and meticulous in caring for the home, maintaining all of its original custom cabinetry, light fixtures and woodwork.

“Clean Lines, Walls of Glass Looking to Mt. Tamalpais and the Unmistakable Influence of Frank Lloyd Wright is on full display here.”

— THOMAS HENTHORNE

The well-appointed open-concept kitchen features all-new stainless appliances and looks out to views of Mt. Tamalpais and the Marin hills in the distance. The back yard features a lap pool and patio with access to hiking just outside the back gate. A large portion of the property was purchased from the Kingston Trio and adjoins open space once owned by Frank Sinatra.

Never on the market before, this is a rare opportunity to own an architecturally-significant home tucked away in the hills of Marin County, California. Please call me at 415-847-5584 to schedule a showing of 215 Locust Avenue San Rafael today.