When we think of Southern rock, a bit more complicated and world-weary than country but still true-blue American, Tom Petty’s unique, rough-hewn voice stands as one of the cornerstones of the genre.
Life alongside the water must have agreed with him, because after famously starting out in Florida he owned homes near the Pacific as well, including his exceptional 5,300-square-foot stone house in Lake Sherwood which is on the market for $5.895 million.
All photos are used with permission from TopTenRealEstateDeals.com
Reminiscent of a European chateau, the towering 3-story home overlooks Lake Sherwood and offers views of both the lake and surrounding mountains from nearly every room. Originally built in 1931 by a Hollywood set designer, the 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom home pays homage to the inimitable beauty of real, locally-sourced stone, which graces everything from the walls to the courtyard to the primary bath and multiple fireplaces.
The walls are in fact solid stone 2 feet thick, shown to advantage in the massive great room, the crowning centerpiece of the home, which rises skyward to vaulted, wood-beamed ceilings. Fortunately, the room also features exactly the type of behemoth-sized fireplace necessary to warm such an imposing, airy space. Some rooms take advantage of the view with floor-to-ceiling windows, and floors are hardwood.
The kitchen decor complements the castle ambiance with granite countertops, polished wood, and state-of-the-art appliances. The kitchen conveniently connects to the family room and shares tile flooring.
French doors in the dining room provide another generous window to let in the natural beauty from every angle and lead out onto an inviting balcony overlooking the lake. Another stone fireplace elevates this balcony into a favorite place to be. The primary bedroom connects to a bathroom befitting a luxurious spa: walls paneled in smooth redwood framing a decadently deep bathtub inlaid with stone. The primary bath also opens out onto an intimate private balcony.
Beautiful stonework extends to a wide courtyard in the back of the house, and walkways of stone guide residents down to the 125 feet of lakeshore included with the property. Also included are a private boat dock as well as a personal boat ramp to launch from; Petty reportedly enjoyed fishing from his own boat. The surrounding foliage of cypress, olive, and other native trees complete the picturesque setting–a perfect combination of mountains and manor house.
Tom Petty’s versatility and love for his craft make him well-deserving of his storied career spanning 45 years of hits. He formed Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in 1976 in Gainesville, Florida, a productive scene for up-and-coming musicians with a persistent small-town feel. One could easily picture the unassuming and down-to-earth Petty wandering among Gainesville’s cozy bars tucked away in places you might not expect.
His Lake Sherwood home is a convenient 9 miles away from the energy and excitement of Malibu but offers a private lakeside getaway for creative reflection in the midst of nature. Petty owned this stunning house for 10 years and its next owners are sure to get just as much enjoyment from it.
Source: www.compass.com
