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164 Elena Avenue, Atherton

This hidden jewel, barely discernible from the street and positioned across from the esteemed Menlo Circus Club, is one of Atherton’s most exceptional estates. Originally built by Colin Whiteside, the home has undergone a transformation by its current owners. While the outside symmetry and classic allure endure, it has evolved into a place of chic sophistication, showcasing a soft neutral palette complemented by American cherry and light oak floors throughout. 

Every room is light and bright with exquisite subtle appointments, recessed lighting exclusively, extensive custom built ins, and even moldings designed to hang fine art in lieu of attaching to the wall. A hallmark of this residence is a commitment to media needs with both visible and concealed screens in nearly every room. Another defining signature of this property is its capability to host significant personal, professional, and philanthropic events. Within the main home, two kitchens facilitate seamless catering and/or a personal chef. One bay of the four-car garage has been converted into a versatile office and/or caterer’s space, complete with an array of appliances and ample space for event management or a property manager’s daily operations. 

The main residence comprises five bedrooms, a detached guest house offers an additional one-bedroom retreat, plus there is a detached office studio. A den, office, upper- and lower-level lounges, fitness center, and cinema room round out the comprehensive accommodations on three levels connected by elevator. Set upon approximately 1.55 acres of meticulously manicured grounds, the outdoor space is equally magnificent. Vast expanses of both synthetic and natural grass lawns, alongside an array of specimen trees, curated gardens, and arbor-covered terraces create a captivating outdoor oasis. 


At a Glance

  • Approximately 1.55 gated acres (buyer to confirm)

  • Discretely located across from the Menlo Circus Club

  • Architecture by Gerald Taylor
  • Built as a custom home and extensively renovated since then

  • Three levels with elevator 

  • 5 bedrooms, office, den, 4 full baths, and 3 half-baths

  • 3-car finished garage with adjoining multi-room office/caterer’s kitchen and half-bath

  • 1-bedroom, 1-bath guest house with full kitchen 

  • Office studio with full bath and kitchenette

  • Approximately 15,010 total square feet (buyer to confirm)

    • Main residence: 12,185 square feet

    • 3-car garage: 785 square feet

    • Garage office: 550 square feet

    • Guest house: 500 square feet

    • Office studio: 535 square feet

    • Mechanical rooms: 455 square feet

  • Cummins 150kW diesel generator with automatic transfer switch
  • Well for irrigation

  • Excellent Menlo Park public and private schools

Offered at $33,375,000


Details of the Home

Entrance
Circular interlocking paver driveway with electronic gated entrances; private gated package receiving area; wide terrace lined with carved balustrades spans the front of the home and upstairs balconies

Foyer & Powder Rooms
Reimagined into one grand room all in crisp white with fluted pilasters and American cherry floors in a herringbone pattern; elevator in addition to sweeping staircase with updated stainless steel railings; two formal powder rooms, each with automated commode 

Living Room/Theatre
Herringbone American cherry floors, acoustic suede walls for soundproofing, retractable cinema screen, and concealed wall of cabinetry and projector/components; gas-log masonry fireplace flanked by French doors; motorized window shades

Dining Room & Caterer’s Kitchen
Formal venue surrounded with French doors to the front and side terrace; adjoining kitchen for personal chef/caterers with professional Hestan range with 6 burners, griddle, 2 ovens, and pot filler, 2 Sub-Zero refrigerators each with 2 freezer drawers, Miele convection oven, and 2 Sub-Zero refrigerator drawers

Kitchen & Breakfast Room
Remodeled with sleek white cabinetry, including island with seating and workstation, all topped in granite slab with to-the-ceiling backsplashes; vent hood with custom enameled stainless look; walk-through pantry lined with shelves; adjoining breakfast room with multiple French doors 

Appliances
Wolf gas range with 6 burners, double griddle, 2 full ovens, and pot filler; 2 Bosch dishwashers; KitchenAid microwave; Sub-Zero wine cooler; Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer

Family Room
Fully open to the kitchen with wall of media cabinetry, gas-log masonry fireplace, and French doors to the loggia and to a covered rear terrace

Den & Office
Den has a gas-log masonry fireplace, wet bar with Sub-Zero refrigerator drawers, French doors to the side and front terraces; adjacent office with wraparound cabinetry and to-the-ceiling bookshelves, two workstations, linear gas fireplace, French doors to the side, plus direct access to the guest suite bath

Guest Suite
Suede soundproofed walls, motorized window coverings for fresh air, natural light, and room darkening, plus linear gas fireplace; 5 sets of French doors to the grounds; secret door to refreshment center with microwave and Sub-Zero refrigerator drawers; remodeled en suite marble bath has a jetted tub, frameless-glass shower, automated commode, and operable skylight

Upstairs Lounge
Tremendous cathedral skylight with motorized shade, radiant-heated floor, custom cabinetry, and separate wet bar with Sub-Zero refrigerator drawers and microwave; French doors open at each end of the room to balconies

Upstairs Primary Suite
Bedroom with retractable media screen, multiple French doors to the balcony, and linear gas fireplace; two fully customized couture closet rooms; remodeled en suite bath with two automated commodes, all marble wall and heated floors, dual-sink vanity, gas-log fireplace, air jet tub, and curbless shower for two with four body sprays 

Bedrooms and Bath
Two bedrooms, each with multiple closets, French doors to a balcony, and direct access to a shared remodeled bath with heated marble floor, all marble walls, dual-sink vanity, automated commode, jetted tub, and shower with curved glass enclosure

Lower-Level Recreation & Media Rooms
Central room with floors in high-end vinyl and extensively mirrored walls with 3 inset media screens; adjoining cinema room with acoustic panels and flooring

Lower-Level Fitness Center & Half-Bath
Mirrored walls, custom flooring, and adjacent half-bath with automated commode

Lower-Level Bedroom Suite
Light well window and double door closet; granite-topped peninsula with counter seating, Sub-Zero refrigerator drawers, and sink; en suite bath with automated commode, frameless-glass shower, and all marble walls

Guest House
Living area with tile floors, open granite kitchen with GE electric cooktop, oven, microwave, dishwasher, and refrigerator, plus separate bedroom and bath with glass-enclosed tub with overhead shower

Office Studio
Wood-paneled walls, hidden retractable velvet drapes on front wall, and surround sound; sleek kitchenette with sink, Sub-Zero refrigerator drawers, and Bosch dishwasher; bath with all marble walls, private room with automated commode and outside entrance, and private room with frameless-glass shower

The Grounds

  • Covered rear terrace off the family room with gas-assist, glass-enclosed masonry charcoal grill 
  • Lighted loggia framed with Doric columns
  • Circular tiered fountain and reflecting pool beyond the loggia
  • Arbor-covered media lounge
  • Vast stretches of synthetic and natural lawn 
  • Magnificent array of trees and foliage
  • Paved path encircles the sides and rear of the property
  • Retractable awnings on upper-level rear terrace
  • Well for irrigation 

Other Features

  • Lower-level laundry room with dual sets of LG washers/dryers plus sink
  • 3-car garage with extensive built-ins and adjoining multi-room office, also ideal for caterers, with dual sets of LG washers/dryers, 2 Viking wine coolers, Bosch dishwasher, Sub-Zero icemaker, 2 full size Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezers, plus separate room with mini refrigerator, sink, microwave, and 2 built-in desk centers, along with a half-bath 
  • Crestron home automation
  • Programmable lighting
  • High-end security and surveillance inside and out
  • Two central vacuum systems
  • Multi-zone heating and air conditioning with individual room controls, including garage
  • Cummins 150kW diesel generator with automatic transfer switch