This article takes a close look at a landmark modernist residence perched on Belvedere Island in Marin County. It traces the home’s architectural lineage to William Wurster and Thomas Church, while also spotlighting its ultra-private, off-market listing that could shake up the county’s luxury headlines.
From Sausalito to Mill Valley, the home’s sweeping views of the San Francisco skyline, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Mount Tamalpais keep it at the center of Marin’s most talked-about conversations.
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A Belvedere Island Treasure: A Modernist Masterpiece by Wurster and Church
Few Bay Area homes capture the era’s design spirit quite like this Belvedere Island residence. Its inverted living plan and three levels—reached by elevator and a skylit staircase—set up intimate interiors that open onto broad outdoor spaces.
William Wurster, one of the region’s top architects, joined forces with landscape visionary Thomas Church for this project. The result feels almost sculptural against the Marin landscape, with San Francisco’s city lights painting a new scene every evening.
The top floor’s long, curving wall of windows pulls your gaze across the Bay: Sausalito’s waterfront, the golden Marin headlands, and, on clear days, the unmistakable outline of the Golden Gate Bridge. Downstairs, both formal and casual living rooms sit next to a chef-ready kitchen, all designed for gatherings that stretch from Seacliff to Sausalito, yet always feel rooted in the hillside’s privacy.
- 9,170-square-foot, wood-sided structure with a flat roof
- Three-level layout accessed by elevator and skylit staircase
- Top-floor limestone-clad foyer, plus a wood-paneled living room with a green marble fireplace
- Retractable projection screen, formal dining room, and a roomy family area
- Chef-ready kitchen with eat-in island, mosaic-tiled backsplash, and a prep kitchen
- Deck running the length of the house for easy indoor-outdoor living
Property Details and Marin County Setting
A hilltop retreat at the end of a secluded Belvedere Island cul-de-sac—there’s nothing more quintessentially Marin. Two connected parcels come together for just under an acre, creating a quiet enclave with privacy, yet you’re still close to North Bay town centers.
You can reach Tiburon’s boutique shops, Corte Madera’s lively village corridors, or Mill Valley’s redwood-lined streets in just a few minutes.
The middle level holds six en-suite bedrooms, including a striking octagonal primary suite with its own fireplace, private balcony, walk-in wardrobe, and a marble bath. The lower level stretches out the living space with an extra en-suite bedroom, a one-bedroom guest suite with kitchenette and deck, and a large L-shaped recreation room with an integrated exercise area.
Every main living area opens onto a long deck that hugs the house, making the most of Marin’s indoor-outdoor lifestyle.
- Six en-suite bedrooms on the middle level, including an octagonal primary suite
- Lower level with extra bedroom, guest suite, and recreation space
- Grounds with terraces, patios, and winding pathways through mature plantings
- Pool with sundeck and a sport court
- Attached two-car garage plus parking for up to 12 more vehicles
Off-Market Listing and Market Potential
Compass agents Bill Smith and Ann Aylwin are currently offering this residence off-market, with a headline price of $50 million. If it sells anywhere near that, it might just set a Marin County record in the current luxury market.
The Asking Price and Local Context
With two parcels and almost an acre of land, the property brings together scale, light, and exclusivity—qualities that echo throughout Marin, from Sausalito’s waterfront to the town centers of Larkspur and San Rafael. The home’s design pedigree—Wurster’s modernist lines combined with Church’s landscape vision—really speaks to Bay Area buyers who care about craftsmanship, regional history, and that seamless connection to Marin County’s natural beauty.
Lifestyle and Local Flavor: Marin County Living
If you love life in Belvedere, Sausalito, or even Mill Valley, this place captures that classic Marin feeling. You get sweeping views from the Bay all the way to Mount Tamalpais.
The climate practically begs you to be outside, no matter the season. There’s a rhythm here—something about the North Bay’s coastal towns that just feels different.
Inside, the home’s big public spaces and six en-suite bedrooms make it easy to entertain or just hang out with family. The grounds stretch out, giving you a rare sense of privacy right on Belvedere Island.
Maybe it’s the architecture that catches your eye, or the way the landscaping blends with the hillside. Or maybe you’re curious about what it’s like to join Marin’s most exclusive address.
This Belvedere Island property really does feel like a landmark in the area’s luxury real estate scene. If you’re looking around Tiburon, Sausalito, or San Rafael, you might want to keep tabs on it—design-forward homes like this don’t come up every day in Northern California.
Honestly, there’s a reason Belvedere Island keeps drawing people in. With its privacy and those insane views of the Bay Area, it’s hard not to imagine yourself living here.
Here is the source article for this story: Marin County’s Priciest Listing Is a $50 Million Modernist Mansion
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