A French-Style Manor Home By The California Coast Lists For $4.99M

The Wall Street Journal

The owner of this Castle-like property in Monterey, Calif., spent three years renovating and upgrading the property before listing it for $4.99 million.

Mary Crosson was looking for a home in Monterey, Calif., to renovate and discovered this French-style manor property in the gated community of Monterra. ‘I found this beautiful house that was sad and tired and needed a lot of work,’ she says.

Mary Crosson was looking for a home in Monterey, Calif., to renovate and discovered this French-style manor property in the gated community of Monterra. ‘I found this beautiful house that was sad and tired and needed a lot of work,’ she says.

She bought the property in 2017 for $3.15 million and embarked on a three-year renovation. Ms. Crosson, 56, is a designer and former antique dealer. She filled the home with unique accent pieces.She bought the property in 2017 for $3.15 million and embarked on a three-year renovation. Ms. Crosson, 56, is a designer and former antique dealer. She filled the home with unique accent pieces.

The home has a den and a living room, both with fireplaces and hand hewn beams. The former owners were inspired by the manor homes of Normandy, France, and had the beams built on site, according to Ms. Crosson.

The home has a den and a living room, both with fireplaces and hand hewn beams. The former owners were inspired by the manor homes of Normandy, France, and had the beams built on site, according to Ms. Crosson.

The kitchen received a gut renovation and now boasts quartz crystal counter tops. Ms. Crosson moved the sink so it overlooks gardens and oak trees.

The kitchen received a gut renovation and now boasts quartz crystal counter tops. Ms. Crosson moved the sink so it overlooks gardens and oak trees.

Ms. Crosson commissioned an artist in Bali to make the carved wooden doors specifically for this dining room. The French doors open to a patio that runs along the back of the home.

Ms. Crosson commissioned an artist in Bali to make the carved wooden doors specifically for this dining room. The French doors open to a patio that runs along the back of the home.

The solarium is attached to the kitchen. ‘I have it set up as a breakfast room, but it could be a conservatory or hangout room,’ she says.
The solarium is attached to the kitchen. ‘I have it set up as a breakfast room, but it could be a conservatory or hangout room,’ she says.
There are four bedrooms, all with ensuite bathrooms. The 7,782-square-foot house has five full bathrooms and two half-bathrooms.
There are four bedrooms, all with ensuite bathrooms. The 7,782-square-foot house has five full bathrooms and two half-bathrooms.
The master bathroom is pictured. ‘There’s all woods outside – I don’t have draperies for the bathroom because nobody can see in,’ Ms. Crosson says.
The master bathroom is pictured. ‘There’s all woods outside – I don’t have draperies for the bathroom because nobody can see in,’ Ms. Crosson says.
An elevator and spiral staircase lead to the top floor, which holds an entertaining area and two of the bedrooms. Both upstairs bedrooms have private balconies.
An elevator and spiral staircase lead to the top floor, which holds an entertaining area and two of the bedrooms. Both upstairs bedrooms have private balconies.
The home is listed for $4.99 million with Jeannie Fromm, an agent with Sotheby’s International Realty Carmel Rancho Brokerage. Ms. Crosson is selling to move on to a new house renovation project.
The home is listed for $4.99 million. Ms. Crosson is selling to move on to a new house renovation project.
Ms. Crosson hopes to find her next home in Monterra, the 1,700-acre private community this property is located in. ‘I love the area,’ she says, ‘But I know I’ll never have a house this beautiful again.’
Ms. Crosson hopes to find her next home in Monterra, the 1,700-acre private community this property is located in. ‘I love the area,’ she says, ‘But I know I’ll never have a house this beautiful again.’
Photos: WAYNE AND PATRICIA CAPILI/SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY