1333 Montrose Place in Pleasanton has been taken off the public market after being listed in May for $10 million and having its asking price reduced to $9 million in August. Instead, the 14-acre property, owned by the tech industry’s elite, will be auctioned off this week with no reserve.
Jack McCauley co-founded Oculus VR, served as chief engineer for the Guitar Hero series, and bought a grand Bay Area mansion to match his business success. He currently serves as an “Innovator in Residence” at the University of California, Berkeley, and also has his own research and development facility in Livermore.
The McCauley estate includes a 6,535-square-foot main home with seven bedrooms and six bathrooms. Inside, you’ll find an open floor plan with a large living room and kitchen, and a formal dining area with views of the outdoor pool. The primary suite on the upper floor is very spacious with its own fireplace and spa-like bathtub and shower. There is also a game room and theater. The property also includes his 3,600-square-foot “workshop,” which serves as a spacious work-from-home office.
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The grounds are equally gorgeous, reflecting the rare design aesthetic of architect Mark Schatz (his client list includes the Four Seasons Resort and the RH Building at San Francisco’s Pier 70). In the tropical backyard, Canary Island palm trees cluster around a swimming pool, creating a sultry oasis with rock-strewn caves and waterfalls. The large patio features a hot tub, outdoor kitchen and poolside bar, all overlooking the vineyards. For even more recreation, there is also a putting green and bocce court.
New owners have many options when it comes to maintaining their vineyards. “This winery has the potential to become a winery, but the current owners are not operating it that way,” said Isabella Baudouin of Concierge Auctions, adding that instead Mr. McCauley, for example He said he sells grapes to the award-winning Mia Nipote Winery. Baudouin.
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The market listing price was $9 million, so the auction house expects the starting price to be between $2.8 million and $5.5 million. However, this property will be sold ‘without reserve’. In auction terms, this means that the item will be sold to the highest bidder, regardless of price. It was last sold in 2021 for $6.6 million.
Does that mean you can buy a Bay Area winery farm for $1 if no one bids? Baudouin said that’s not possible, adding, “The concierge auction model… “We are creating competition among buyers by running an intensive marketing campaign in the month leading up to the auction date,” he wrote in an email.
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“The interest generated through marketing campaigns is market proof, and therefore the auction price represents the true market value. This is why real estate cannot sell for $1, as the luxury market does not allow it.” Let’s go.”
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