1177 and 1187 Estates Drive

Seven-Acre Upper Happy Valley Estate 

This home, never before available, is the crown jewel estate of a prominent local builder for his family. The timeless contemporary home was designed for entertaining on a grand scale, yet is comfortable and practical for everyday living.

Though just a few minutes from Highway 24 and Lafayette’s vibrant downtown, one leaves the world behind at this secluded home. A private driveway cascades down a knoll framed by century-old oaks. The home, nearly 10,000 square feet in all, offers exceptional views from every room. The estate is private, quiet and grand. Mature oaks surround the grounds and lush hillsides lie in the distance.

Enter through stately doors into an impressive foyer with soaring wood ceilings, clerestory glass, and limestone accent walls with captivating valley views beyond. The main floor includes the primary suite, office, kitchen and dining rooms, with just a few steps down to the living and family rooms. Multiple terraces and decks provide venues to relax. Both the light-filled living and family rooms feature wood-burning fireplaces set off by distinctive surrounds, and provide ample space for art collections, a piano, grand parties and fundraising events.

The kitchen, conveniently located near the garage, has a separate entry helpful both for residents’ daily use and caterer access.  The main sink overlooks the hillsides on the horizon, and the kitchen contains a separate large refrigerator and freezer, walk-in pantry, ample storage, double oven and wine refrigerator. A granite-topped island offers counter seating for five. A dumbwaiter makes sending food to the lower level easy and convenient. Casual dining in the breakfast nook is unique; one sits surrounded by old oaks, making one feel as if sitting high in a tree with birds and squirrels playing alongside.

Adjoining the kitchen is the formal dining room, which easily seats 12 and has a built-in buffet, closet for extra chairs, and glass-paneled walls. A powder room off the foyer and another by the kitchen serve the main level.

The home features five bedrooms. The primary suite is a suite indeed with 1,460 square feet of space under an elevated coffered ceiling with a stunning valley view through floor-to-ceiling windows. The adjoining room, now configured as a 400-square-foot office, features built-in shelves and file cabinets with a wall of windows overlooking and within earshot of the peaceful entry waterfall. (This space could easily be reconfigured as an exercise room or art studio.)

The en-suite primary bath is a light-filled area that makes one feel as if outdoors in nature, yet with complete privacy. Features include a two-person spa tub and marble shower, double sinks, two water closets and a bidet, two sizeable walk-in closets with built-in cabinetry and an ironing board.

Children and teens in particular will love the downstairs level. Walk down the open-tread stairwell and find a wing with three large individual bedrooms, each with an en-suite bath, walk-in closet, seating area, built-in cabinetry and desk, and view windows. The recreation room in the other wing is almost 1,140 square feet, with two distinct areas with wood floors and ceilings. It features full-height sliding glass doors, a fireplace, a walk-behind wet bar, and spaces for an oversized TV, table games, a billiard table and more.

Off the recreation room is a full bath with a sauna and steam shower that is convenient to the backyard space. Walk outside to an expansive stone deck patio with covered trellis, swimming pool and spa, and grassy flat play area. Reaching the lower level is easy via multiple staircases or the utility access road that can accommodate full-size vehicles (great for large catered events). The backyard is fully fenced below the sight line and has a separate dog yard. The existing tennis court can be reconfigured for pickleball or basketball.

There are two living spaces ideal for older children, multi-gen families, or staff, each with direct entry access from the outside. One is a studio under the garage with a kitchenette and full bath. The other is a bedroom at the mid-level with a sliding door to the exterior stairwell and deck.

Interior and exterior storage is prevalent throughout the property. Other features, such as a laundry chute, keyless entry pads, solid wood doors, central vacuum, monitored video security, and Lutron lighting make this an easy-living custom home.

Set on two legal parcels across nearly seven acres, this estate allows one’s imagination to design whatever suits one’s lifestyle.