Believe it or not, this 10,000 square foot mansion at San Francisco’s Pacific Heights was once a dilapidated apartment building using a Tudor facade. Designer Matthew MacCaul Turner helped transform these apartment units into one 17-room home over the span of nearly ten decades. Turner, with the help of architect Louis Felthouse, gave this luxury home a facelift by incorporating walnut wall paneling, a hidden wet bar, hand-carved granite counters, a wine room, a fully-equipped rooftop patio and sweeping views of the city.
Utilizing the house’s traditional structure as a background, Turner integrated the sleek style his customer loved. As it turned out, the home was put on the industry soon after completion. Ahead of being photographed, designer Ken Fulk did the staging that is where most of the furniture from the home is from.
Matthew MacCaul Turner
The dim, walnut paneled library is Turner’s favorite room in the home. After attending a marriage in the Explorer’s Club in New York, Turner established much of the home’s interior architecture — particularly at the library and great area — on this wonderful space.
Matthew MacCaul Turner
Like the library, the wall paneling at the room is created of American Black Walnut. “The paneling was founded on English precedents,” says Turner, who also designed a hidden wet bar tucked beneath a panel in this room. Custom zebra chairs sit alongside a imported walnut fireplace surround. The stone surround and hearth are made of Rumos limestone.
Matthew MacCaul Turner
An expansive view of the south side of San Francisco Bay greets visitors as they walk to the great room. Walnut was predominately used for the flooring but there are inlays of walnut and walnut.
Matthew MacCaul Turner
Limestone and marble floors line the entryway, echoing the home’s limestone facade. The customer loved the iron element from the Art Deco-style front entrance, they chose to expand it throughout the home by using it on the railing of the principal staircase.
Matthew MacCaul Turner
The dining room ceiling was designed to center. Silver leaf was applied and simmer for glow from the coffered space. The French doors open to a balcony space, allowing for indoor/outdoor dining when the weather allows.
Chandelier: Circa light
Wall color: Paris Rain by Benjamin Moore
Matthew MacCaul Turner
The second floor of the home is a little more family friendly. The floor opens up with a connected family room and kitchen, both with an unbelievable view. A hand-carved French limestone mantle and fireplace surround adds Old-World warmth.
French limestone mantle: Exquisite Surfaces
Sconces: Urban Archaeology
Wall color: Mannequin Cream by Benjamin Moore
Matthew MacCaul Turner
Double appliances — twin ovens, ranges and refrigerators — were installed within this main kitchen. There’s another kitchen at the guest home, and also an outside kitchen on the rooftop, but this kitchen serves as the cooking space for the primary residence. Granite countertops, all-white cabinetry, and marble backsplash tile combine to make a luxurious look with texture and depth.
Countertops: Costa Esmerelda granite
Cabinetry: Custom, painted in Acadia White by Benjamin Moore
Pendants: Circa Lighting
Backsplash: Crema Marfil using Fossil Green accents from Waterworks
Matthew MacCaul Turner
A soft golden tone on the walls from the master bedroom complements the hazy blue of the San Francisco skyline. The honey fireplace surround is made out of carved Italian Jerusalem Gold limestone. A recessed area close to the massive balcony turned into a wonderful spot to set a small loveseat — an ideal place to enjoy the view when the fog begins to roll in.
Chandelier: Circa Lighting
Sconces: Ruhlmann Sconce from Urban Archaeology
Wall color: Goldtone by Benjamin Moore
Matthew MacCaul Turner
The master bathroom is the epitome of comfort. Alder wood paneling gives the space an old-school feel, but the burnished nickel bathtub and gorgeous opinion supply a spa-like atmosphere. Together with the natural light, the alder wood gives skin tone a flattering glow at the mirrors over the his-and-her vanities. The room also contains a barrel-vaulted steam shower for those days when there just isn’t enough time for a lazy bathroom.
Bathtub: Clothilde by Waterworks
Floors: Jerusalem Gold Limestone, with Inca Gold and Waterworks mosaic edge
Matthew MacCaul Turner
The garden level of the home is dedicated to guests, or some other live-in staff. This section of the home can be easily obtained from the primary home, but could also provide solitude if need be — there is an elevator to the main home, but there is also a private entry from the road. The space is composed of three bedrooms, three baths, a living area, kitchen, laundry and patio.
Matthew MacCaul Turner
While the entire home is an amazing job of art, the rooftop patio is an wonderful final flourish. A fully equipped outdoor kitchen, lounge area, and spa are all included inside this space — that can be outfitted with a smaller area to escape to if the weather gets chilly.
Matthew MacCaul Turner
Sweeping views of the town are visible from each vantage point on the roof. Turner made a 12-person stainless-steel hot tub on a increased level so the views can be appreciated while still sitting down.
Matthew MacCaul Turner
When Turner first seen this building a decade back, it turned into a dilapidated apartment building using a Tudor facade. While the bones of the home are still the same, its look couldn’t be more distinct.
The facade — made of imported French limestone — creates a statement, while fitting in with the unique look of conventional San Francisco houses. Its area is rich in history, so Turner wanted to make sure the style of the structure would remain true to that.
Photography by Jacob Elliott