Accessible from the wooded and winding Auburn Folsom Road, and separated by only a few miles from two more luxury, gated neighborhoods, Los Lagos is secluded, set apart and secure. And that’s a big part of its attraction. Behind the guardhouse at the Los Lagos entrance is a community of 360 sites where private roads meander through a colony of residential enclaves – a few of which are owned by recognizable names. Each is situated on beautiful, pristine grounds with luxurious landscaping. Up the hill within this gated community and behind yet another private gate, is a magnificent, three-story, 8,500-square-foot Mediterranean mansion that sits on more than 3.5 acres. The home is on the market today for $7.9 million.
From conception to completion, it took more than three years to build this grand residence of multi-terraced grounds, which had to be carved out of the steep hillside and is still dotted with huge granite boulders. At every stage of the hill’s excavation, huge retaining walls were constructed to hold back the earth.
“Each area presented a challenge; the builders and owners had to be very creative,” says Nick Sadek of NRS Real Estate. “However, the outcome is stunning.”
The ascent from the front gate up to the landscaped drive is about a two-story climb, past one waterfall to the parking area and the three- and four-car garages. It’s another story to the first floor and about three-plus stories more up the outdoor pathways to the topmost terrace where you can almost touch the stars. From that lofty terrace, only a scattering of rooftops peek through the thick trees of Los Lagos.
From every level, the views of sunrise and sunset are spectacular, and the dramatic beauty of having a home on a hilltop is apparent. Every turn on the hillside reveals a different, spectacular view. And, at six or seven different elevations, there's a terrace or area to sit and take in the view.
Concrete stairs and paved pathways wind their way through manicured gardens to the top terrace and the spectacular views of Sacramento, Newcastle, Auburn and the north fork of the American River. The upper terraces overlook several palm trees – Queen, Mexican and Island – that were transported from San Diego and planted near the waterfall that cascades down natural granite into the swimming pool. A myriad of windows throughout the estate and numerous arches along the back patios frame views of the yard’s landscaping, pool, waterfalls and surrounding communities.
“The owner and his wife enjoy having their morning coffee on the terrace that overlooks the waterfall and the swimming pool,” says Sadek. “They like to watch the sun rising. They enjoy waking up with the turkeys, deer and other wildlife that share their hillside, but they’re ready to move again after four years.”
Located off the family room and designed for entertaining small or large groups, the covered deck at poolside has an ample outdoor kitchen where the current owners have hosted events for 150 guests for their children’s schools and athletic teams. With its gazebo, the lower terrace is large enough for more than 300 guests. A circular iron stairway and a concrete staircase lead from the parking area to the lower terrace. An elevator in the garage provides easy access to the home’s two upper floors. In the entry, which is 35 feet in diameter, Travertine is accented with an inset created of smaller tiles. A baby grand piano sits to one side of the entry; a large crystal chandelier draws the eye toward the ironwork along the staircase and the upper level landing.
The residence features six bedrooms, six and one-half baths, a spacious master suite, formal dining room, living room, media room, bonus room, library/office and a wine cellar that holds up to 1,500 bottles. The upstairs bedrooms and baths are accessible by two separate staircases and the elevator.
Mediterranean furnishings blend with the built-in, intricately detailed cabinetry in almost every room. The large-scale, alder custom-cabinetry by Savage Designer Cabinets in Roseville includes an entertainment unit in the media and family rooms. In the dining room, there is a china cabinet with a granite top, and there are bookcases in the downstairs office/library. The same custom-designed cabinetry is in the huge kitchen, which has granite countertops, a center island, breakfast bar and appliances by Bosche, Sub-Zero and Thermador. Carpeting and Travertine tile are used throughout the estate, except in the office/library, which has wood plank floors.
The owners say they’ve gone on vacation to a resort, only to return early to their own spectacular setting. “Why visit a resort when you can live in one?” asks Sadek.
