Former Bing Crosby domain hits market for $ 13.75 million

The 3-acre estate in northern California where “White Christmas” crooner Bing Crosby and his family lived has just hit the market for $ 13.75 million.

Built in 1930, the English Tudor-style residence is just under 10,000 square feet with 10 bedrooms and 10.5 bathrooms and a heated swimming pool at the back.

The mega-house is located in the affluent San Francisco suburb of Hillsborough. According to OMarshall Real Estate’s listing agent, Joey Oliva, Crosby and his family owned the house from 1963 to 1966.

“As the story goes, Bing had just finished a round of golf at Hillsborough when he was approached by the original owners and spontaneously invited to view the house,” Oliva told CNBC. “As soon as Bing saw the great hall with the wide oak staircase and the lead bay window… he bought it on the spot.

According to the listing agent, Crosby bought the house from its original owners – the Dyer family – one of the early investors in Eastman Kodak Co. At the time, Crosby reportedly paid $ 175,000 for the residence (a little less than $ 1.5 million in today’s dollars). After Crosby, the Millers (Folgers family) owned the house and then sold it to the Roche family for $ 8 million in 2014, according to public records.

“It was a visceral reaction,” said current owner Suzanne Roche, recalling the time she first entered the 9,875 square foot residence. “I walked in (the same as Bing apparently) and stood in the lobby and fell in love immediately.”

The living room is a ballroom with a grand piano, fireplace, and three sets of French doors that open onto a terrace.

Roche is the executive director of the nonprofit Jazz at the Ballroom, which, according to the organization’s website, works “with the world’s most talented jazz musicians in intimate and unique contexts and concentration.[es] on the Great American Songbook. “

“Ms. Roche felt that bringing the American songbook back to her ballroom and backyard was important in honoring the spirit of Bing Crosby,” said the house’s listing agent.

One of the walls of the ballroom has a secret door that blends into the woodwork.

It opens to reveal what the owners call a “speakeasy” – a room with a bench, windows, and a bar cart.

“Visitors are surprised to find such a secret alcove where scotch can be enjoyed in private,” said Oliva.

A short walk away is the house’s formal dining room, which opens onto a patio and lawn.

According to the listing, there was a major renovation in 2014, including the kitchen, pantry, cloakroom, laundry room, and bathrooms.

The master bedroom of the house is located on the second floor.

It has two full bathrooms, a walk-in closet and windows overlooking the gardens.

The Crosby family even left things behind when the current owner moved in.

“Lots of little household things,” Roche said. “But the best were the old records in a hidden closet and the framed picture of the house the Crosby’s friend was drawing for them. They used it as a Christmas card that year.”

The laundry closet still has the labels of Mr. and Mrs. Crosby’s blankets.

“The backyard is where Bing relaxes, and the original owners told me it’s where everyone meets every night for a pre-dinner cocktail,” Roche said. .

It is also the preferred location of the house by the current owner, where she has hosted large gatherings and private concerts.

“After the divorce, the house is just too much for one person,” Roche said. “It takes a lot of care, time and maintenance.”

As for who she hopes will buy the property: “Someone creative, quirky and provocative … who will make it a colony of artists!”