There is a house in Pasadena that is considered as a cultural heritage landmark and was featured as the 2010 Pasadena Showcase House of Design. This house is now on the market priced at $10.5 million.

The house is measured at 20,000 square feet of living space within three stories and 50 rooms in total. The design of the house was inspired by the Chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte near Paris. The house boasts of large formal rooms, detailed walls, and massive chandeliers.

The Pasadena cultural heritage house that used to belong to the Cravens family is listed by Josie Tong of Sotheby’s International Realty.

This is the tall ceiling of the foyer. It has a large glass dome at the top that also hangs a large lantern pendant light over the indoor balcony with wrought-iron railings. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

This is a look at the hallway with colorful murals on its walls and checkered pattern to its marble flooring that is complemented by the crystal chandelier. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

This is the formal dining room that has a large wooden dining table surrounded by wooden chairs that stand out against the black and white checkered flooring. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

This other dining room has a more informal breakfast nook vibe to it. with a small wooden dining set that is complemented by the surrounding detailed walls. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

This is the spacious wood-paneled library with a checkered ceiling that hangs a chandelier in the middle of the spacious room that has a fireplace on the far side. Image courtesy of Toptenrealestatedeals.com.

All photos are used with permission from ToptenRealEstateDeals.com

Old money wasn’t only acquired through singular achievement. The old guard knew that it was a more powerful strategy for important families to marry into each other, creating an even broader financial base. Children were groomed for this eventuality and exposed only to potential mates through carefully orchestrated social events such as at coming-out parties for debutantes.

Wealthy society groups developed in many areas of the country as it was being developed and industrialized. Such was the case with midwesterner John Smith Cravens who attended Yale and married tobacco heiress Mildred Myers of the Liggett & Myers Tobacco Company family. After college and their marriage, Cravens went to work for his father-in-law. Upon the death of her father, Mildred inherited $25 million.

The Cravens started vacationing in Pasadena, California, and in time, John founded the Edison Electric Company there. He served as its president until 1901 when he resigned to found the Southwestern National Bank of Los Angeles. In 1902, the Cravenses purchased 14 acres on Orange Grove Boulevard and engaged architect Lewis Parson Hobart to design their home.

Inspired by the Chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte near Paris, the Cravens’ home totals almost 20,000 square feet of living space within three stories and 50 rooms. By 1971, the city of Pasadena claimed it as a cultural heritage landmark. It has been a favorite filming location for television series and feature films and was featured as the 2010 Pasadena Showcase House of Design.

Grand lady of the 1920s, the Craven mansion, newly under contract, is priced at $10.5 million.

Source: www.cravensestate.com