Issue date: October 14, 1998
By MARJORIE MADER
One of the most well known properties in the area, the Woodside home of the late Ralph K. and Louise M. Davies, is now on the market at a listing price of $6.25 million.
The contemporary home, built for them on a 21-acre parcel of land in 1940, has been the setting over the past 50 years for innumerable benefits -- luncheons, teas, style shows, dinners and auctions -- for the educational, medical, social and community causes the Davieses supported.
Mrs. Davies, who died June 22 at age 98, is remembered as the benefactor who gave $5 million to build the San Francisco Symphony's concert hall that opened as Davies Symphony Hall in 1980.
Her husband, who died in 1971, had lived the "American dream" of becoming a self-made millionaire. The fortune he earned in oil, shipping and other business ventures has become a virtual public trust as the result of his many endowments to charitable activities.
Mrs. Davies had said she learned her guidelines for giving from her husband: Limit yourself to what really interests you. She graciously opened her Woodside home and extensive gardens to numerous organizations for their fund-raising events.
Their hilltop home was designed by architects Anshen and Allen of San Francisco, proteges of Frank Lloyd Wright. Designed in the contemporary style, the home has a timeless quality with its use of materials -- redwood from Northern California, gray Sonoma stone and auburn Utah stone. Tall windows that extend from floor to ceiling bring the outdoor views into the living areas.
The grounds are an impressive study in the landscape architectural skills of the late Thomas Church. The expansive lawns off the living and dining rooms lead to a quiet reflecting pool area. Several acres of landscaping surround the house, and paths lead to a swimming pool, tennis courts, stables and a separate caretaker's residence.
The house has two levels, with the living room, dining room, library, kitchen and guest suite on the main level. Upstairs are six bedrooms, five bathrooms and a sewing room.
The property was once part of the extensive J.J. Moore Ranch that extended from Woodside Road to Walsh Road and from the present Sharon Heights golf course to Reservoir and Moore roads, said Sam Wright, who with Heidi Johnson has been working with the Davies' daughter, Maryon Davies Lewis, to bring the estate to the real estate market.
After designing the Davies home and some of its furniture, Anshen and Allen designed a number of projects for Mr. Davies. They included the International Building in San Francisco that served as headquarters for various business activities of Mr. Davies, including the Natomas Company.
Listing agents for the property are Heidi Johnson of Alain Pinel in Woodside and Sam Wright of Wright & Company Realtors in Menlo Park. The property is scheduled to go on multiple listing October 13.
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