Puppy Love: Pet-Friendly Mansion in Bay Area a Bargain at $28.5M

Posted on July 31, 2019 | by Chhing Chhut in News | 1527 Views

Puppy Love: Pet-Friendly Mansion in Bay Area a Bargain at .5M

If canines had the wherewithal to design homes, this fabulous San Francisco Bay Area estate might be such a result.

A mansion in Alamo, CA, designed by PeopleSoft co-founder and pet lover Dave Duffield and his wife, Cheryl, is on the market for $28.5 million. Dana Green of Compass holds the listing.

But will two-legged mammals also enjoy this luxury, 21-acre estate? We’ll bark out an emphatic yes. Let’s take a tail-wagging tour with five must-know details about the pet-friendly mansion inspired by an English manor.

This home is for the dogs

No, really. The Duffields had the home custom-built for their family and pets. In addition to paw-washing stations positioned around the property, the grounds also include a dog spa and aviary.

And if you’re experiencing a little doggie deja vu, this isn’t the first time this mansion has landed on the market.

A year after the home was built, the family relocated to Lake Tahoe, and attempted to sell the property in 2016 for $39 million. At the time, the proceeds of the sale were promised to the family’s animal charity, Maddie’s Fund.

With no luck on the sales front, the home was donated to the charity this year and it will receive all funds from the sale. So for pets in need, and the humans who care for them, the sale of this property is a win-win.

$28.5 million is a relative bargain

The current price, which reflects a $10.5 million reduction from the original list price, is nowhere near the $135 million-plus the compound cost to build. And even at $28.5 million, the property is the most expensive listing in the tony East Bay suburb.

Completed in 2013, the home design features security and technology “befitting the tech visionary who created this home,” according to information supplied by Terri Robbins Tiffany, Sand Hill PR Partners founder and CEO.

English-style manor
Open Homes Photography

English-style manor in the East Bay

Where else was the cash spent? Well, there’s a 21,582-square-foot main house, a guest cottage, and a car barn—and a total of 10 beds and 22 baths.

Over the three-year construction period, over 200 master craftsmen were on site daily to oversee every element of the home’s creation. The result is a well-appointed and well-conceived mansion.

“No matter the feature, whether it’s the outdoor cooking pavilion, pool and slide area, or a barn-inspired great room, there’s always a harmonious blend of old-world charm with modern amenities,” says Steve Hill, treasurer for Maddie’s Fund.

Living room with vaulted ceiling and fireplace
Open Homes Photography

Kitchen with two islands
Open Homes Photography

Built for outdoor fun…

Backing onto a nature preserve, the private grounds are designed for activities such as gardening, biking, and hiking.

Along with a fabulous pool with an awe-inspiring slide, there’s a dreamy treehouse accessed by a 75-foot suspension bridge.

For those who want a less hectic time alfresco, there’s an outdoor kitchen as well as lounge and patio spaces. If that’s not enough, a buyer could also add equestrian facilities, a nine-hole golf course, an indoor sports center, or a tennis court.

Outdoor kitchen and bar
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Gardens and fountain
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… and an indoor extravaganza

If you’d rather cocoon indoors, that’s no problem. There’s an abundance of entertainment options, including two bars, a wine cellar, four kitchens, a gym, game room, and 14-seat cinema.

And don’t panic! Should the need arise, the gated home comes with a vault and two safe rooms.