Legendary Location Meets New Generation Luxury

Often used in winemaking to describe the origins of a grape, or the land conditions that influence its quality, Terroir speaks to the provenance of location in real estate. Since the 1890s, Forest View Avenue has defined the heights of prestige and desirability. The picturesque street has always followed the perfect Goldilocks recipe just far enough into the “country,” yet still close enough to the pulse of downtown Burlingame. As Hillsborough’s Original Mansion Row, Forest View started as home to the Town’s Founding Fathers, and to this day hosts a collection of Lower Hillsborough’s finest estates. To own a Forest View address has always been a mark of distinction.

With this history and environment, the terroir could not be more promising for a new generation luxury mansion. 2289 Forest View is this home, exceeding 9,000 sq. ft. on a 1.48 acre lot in Lower North Hillsborough. The home lives as a like-new custom construction, built in 1990, and totally remodeled within the last 10 years by the current owners. Significant modifications include re-configuring of new kitchen/family great room for a dramatically larger island and flow (plus appliances by Wolf/Sub-Zero/Miele), renovated bathrooms, plus new dining room location, new authentic slate roof, all-new Marvin windows, new whole-house Lutron lighting system, data wiring, updated audio, security, HVAC, and much more.

The first impression is the utmost privacy of a true country estate near the end of a private lane.The next impression is the sheer size of the design, and how it is integrated into the woodsy setting. French style was employed, not unlike many other masterpieces on Forest View. Note the steep pitches of the slate roof, arched windows, and quoin accents that reflect French Eclectic. It is easy to conclude that this estate could not be reproduced anywhere near the list price in today’s market. The beauty of the design lies in maximizing three complete levels of living back-dropped by the forested majesty. There surely could not be a more pristine natural setting on such a lot size in all of Lower Hillsborough.

Three levels spare no amenity, featuring 6 bedrooms, 6 full bathrooms, 2 half baths, Two CEO Offices, Kitchen/Family Great Room, Huge Kids’ Play Room, Gym, Wine Cellar, Sauna, Entertainer’s Walk-Behind Bar with adjacent Poker Lounge, plus Home Theater/Game Room, Mud Room, Two Laundry Rooms, and 3-Car Garage with gated motor court. The Strength of the Three-Level Floorplan is packaged in all the multiple dimensions you could possibly ask for.

Stepping into the formal marble entry, the grand spiral staircase is a Wow Factor in itself traversing the heart of the home. Enormous public rooms spread out overlooking vintage forest and greenbelt. Each room takes on a magnificent scale, while distributing several destinations for all members of the family and sphere. Terraces Open out from many rooms to take in the natural privacy. A sweeping east lawn holds the promise of future pool or ADU.

Upstairs, a Mezzanine Office is an enviable perch off of the staircase: close the double glass doors behind you, and get to work, complete with seating lounge and lovely window view. The upper level features 4 more bedrooms, plus an immense catch-all Play Room perfect for Toys, Games, or Homework Center. The Primary Suite occupies its own wing with the best views in the house and Spa-Caliber remodeled bathroom.

The Lower Level can be your private Night Club, Teen Retreat, or Wellness Spa…. Entertaining beckons with easy flow to the outdoor terraces. The sequence begins at the staircase landing where guests may assemble near a full walk-behind bar that merges to a Poker Lounge (with fireplace), or secondary large media room that leads to completely private terraces and bocce court. Imagine a catered gala complete with bartenders or musicians on the terrace…true capacity for your world of leisure. The lower level also hosts Office #2 (with terrace access), plus an additional nearby room that sets just the right mood for a Home Theater, Billiard Room, or Additional Gym. The lower level also includes a dedicated gym, au pair/in-law suite, plus Sauna and full bath that could easily serve the future Pool area at the east end of the property.

Outside, the 1.48 Acre property is a panorama of rare privacy. Due to the adjacent Strawberry Hill 50 Acre estate, there is no sense of encroaching neighbors, and the seclusion is non pareil. Imagine your future resort-style Pool, Pool House, Outdoor Kitchen, or ADU site on the East Lawn. Al Fresco entertaining and family fun circulate with balustraded terraces, fire pit, regulation bocce ball court, and children’s playground ideal for play structure and trampoline. At the end of the day, your gated retreat rests on Hillsborough’s Original Mansion Row, long revered for its prestige, architecture, and connection to nearby Burlingame. Welcome home…

At a Glance

• 6 bedrooms, 6 full baths, 2 half-baths, plus Two CEO Offices
• 9,140 sq. ft. of living (per paid vendor Floorplan Visuals)
• Home built new in 1990 and Comprehensively Remodeled within last 10 years by current owners
• 1.48 Acre Lot near end of cul-de-sac with pool site, utmost privacy, natural serenity
• Prestige Lower North address not far from downtown Burlingame, North Elementary, Crocker Middle, an Burlingame High

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History of the Location

2289 Forest View is approached amidst several of Hillsborough’s earliest, architecturally significant estates. Two of the most important Hillsborough Founding Fathers made their homes here in the 1890s and 1910s, namely famed industrialist Henry T. Scott at his Oakhurst (2217 Forest View) and Joseph D. Grant at his Villa Rose (2240 Redington abutting the end of Forest View). Scott and Grant were hugely influential figures, with Scott serving as Mayor of Hillsborough in 1916, and both Charter members of the Burlingame Country Club. Grant’s Estate, designed in 1912 by famed architect Lewis Hobart on nearly 50 acres, is now known as Strawberry Hill. This monumental Italian Villa is tucked into the woods and still intact adjacent to 2289 Forest View. This surely adds to the privacy and exclusive ambiance of the area. Henry T. Scott and Joseph D. Grant enthusiastically championed this location, where San Francisco’s affluent would find their dream destination for sporting, nature, privacy, and prestige. Almost 125 years later, this desirability remains unchanged.

Today you will notice many grand scale new constructions and preservationist renovations mixed in along the block. Portions of the original hand-quarried stone walls still accent the gently curving drive along Forest View Avenue. Other properties indicative of the location’s quality include the recently transacted 2100 Forest View on 3 acres, the recently renovated multi-acre epic at 2241 Forest View, plus new constructions at 2050 and 2111. 2289 Forest View takes its place near the end of the block with no through traffic, arguably one of the most quiet and serene holdings in all of Hillsborough.