Everett P. Babcock: Comedian-Owned in San Marino
Author:Philip Ferrato
Sometimes the most interesting houses on the market are the one’s where very little has been done. This 1926 Normandy-style house in San Marino near Pasadena is a perfect example.
The basics: four bedrooms, four baths on almost a half-acre not far from the world-famous Huntington Library and Gardens, in a neighborhood of expensive houses ranging in style from Mission to Hollywood Regency. The property has a secluded swimming pool and almost a half-acre of overgrown landscaping. The decor’s best described as a mash-up of Shabby Chic and Frat House, plus we always get a little suspicious when there are no pictures of the kitchen or baths. No air-conditioning. The realtor’s pictures are grim. So what’s the good news here, besides Winston Churchill having once spent the night in the 1950’s? No one’s had a chance to screw it up.
The house has been owned since 2003 by comedian Rob Schneider, who’s had it on the market since November 2009, originally asking $3,600,000 and now reduced by almost a million dollars to $2,650,000 (don’t feel too bad for him- he paid less than $2,000,000.) Everett Phipps Babcock worked primarily in Washington before moving to Pasadena in 1923 to work for famed architect Wallace Neff. Babcock built this house for himself based on the farmhouses he had seen in Normandy, and sadly, died unexpectedly two years later during minor surgery.
We love the wine storage in the living room (above) which we imagine Mr. Schneider’s taking with him, along with the surfboard. Hilarious. Move everything out, take down a few wall-mounted televisions and this is a house with great bones and beautiful, untouched period details, ready to go. Thanks, Rob! Everett thanks you, too.
Listing: 855 Rosalind Road, San Marino [Redfin]
