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The Midpeninsula has no shortage of seriously unique homes. From family wineries and historic estates to modern mountain retreats, these one-of-a-kind properties – whether because of their price, unusual design or history – are notable even for Silicon Valley. Every month, we highlight some of these not-so-ordinary properties that are on the market right now, or recently sold.
This week, we take a look at a newly completed Atherton villa on the market for $57.5 million that is named for the Persian goddess of light and water for its dramatic water features.
A contemporary villa
Framed by reflecting pools, cascading waterfalls and retractable walls of glass, Villa Anahid lives up to its mythic namesake.
Designed by Mike Khalesi of Beverly Hills One, the estate mixes sculptural architecture with natural elements: marble and onyx throughout, a curved floating staircase rising three stories and water features woven into nearly every outdoor view. The result is both dramatic and tranquil.
Set on 1.02 acres, the property offers 13,158 square feet of living space across a three-level main residence and a two-bedroom guesthouse. In all, the villa includes seven bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, three kitchens and four fireplaces, plus 401 square feet of covered outdoor entertaining space. An attached four-car garage comes outfitted with five EV charging outlets.
A view of the front of Villa Anahid in Atherton. Photo by Bernard Andre, courtesy Mary and Brent Gullixson of Compass.
The 11,968-square-foot main home includes five bedrooms and six baths, along with two kitchens — one designed for a private chef. Amenities include a fitness center with steam room and a backlit Himalayan salt wall, a welcome lounge, a nine-seat theater with French leather seating, and a temperature-controlled wine room. Motorized retractable glass walls span the living and dining rooms, opening the space to the outdoors. The third floor features a lounge with an espresso bar and a sprawling private terrace.
Beyond the main house
Out back, a 56-foot glass-wall infinity pool and spa anchor the landscape, with a sheer-descent waterfall dropping dramatically from the home’s overhang into the water below. An additional 18-foot waterfall and series of reflecting pools greet guests at the front of the property. A covered outdoor kitchen with built-in barbecue and a series of living green walls — indoors and out — round out the grounds.
Ranked ‘most-expensive’ listing
The property last changed hands in 2020 for $4.5 million, after which the owner demolished the original 1950s-era Craftsman to make way for the new villa. It is now listed by Mary and Brent Gullixson of Compass for $57.5 million — more than triple Atherton’s September median listing price of $16.7 million.According to Mansion Global, the home is currently the most expensive listing in Atherton, which held the title of the nation’s priciest ZIP code for eight straight years until That streak ended this year when Fisher Island, Florida, claimed the top spot on PropertyShark’s list of the 100 most expensive ZIP codes, posting a 2025 median sale price of $9.5 million.
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